New to Forum and less familiar with tractors...Hydrostatic vs Synchro Shuttle

jdorff · May 31, 2017

Hello to all,
I am new to this Forum and just bought a new home with 5 Acres near Salem, Oregon.
Looking to pickup new tractor and chose an LS-XG3032

I am faced with my first question for the members of this group and need a little help making a better decision.
Type of Transmission Hydro or Shuttle?

I have quite a bit of Clutch time on Class8 Trucks as well as construction equipment, but this compact tractor is sort of a new animal to me.
My Terrain is hills and scrub brush that I am going to be attacking with 3 point rotary mower and loader bucket.

My Finish mowing is going to be tackled with a 50" finish mower on a little mower I have.

What is going to be the better type of Transmission and handle the task better based upon the type of use.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to getting some feedback.

kthompson · May 31, 2017

Welcome to TBN. I have a compact with hydro and really like it. No loader on it but for loader work it would be hard to beat. I have full size tractor with loader and shuttle trans and like it.I do find it touchy in tight places compared to the hydro trans. But my tractor with fel is also used a lot in the field and I rather have a geared transmission than a hydro there for constant speed for sprayer if nothing else. At least on my compact with hydro forget the engagement setup to keep a constant speed.

I am not sure how much hp is lose with the hydro trans but you do lose some and you also probably will have a whine the shuttle will not and may find it generates heat which may be a plus or minus depending on your weather.

Texasmark · May 31, 2017

My response is simple. All my lawn mowers are hydros....that's 5, 2 regular tractor type and 3 ZTs. Reason for me is the same as most of you folks; they are just handier getting around things. My older Ford tractors are regular clutch assisted shifted gear trannys. My 6530 is Shuttle as I do not do a lot of back and forth work where a hydro would be to my advantage but the 24 F-R geared tractor came with it and I enjoy the shuttle with the clutch requirement......has it's usages as compared to shuttle with no clutch....can't comment on that design as I never ran one. The 2400 is a low ball basic tranny and that's what I wanted for that. I could have used a hydro but decided against it. I am happy with the purchase.

nybirdman · May 31, 2017

Welcome to the forum;all transmissions have their place but for ease of use, infinite speed control the HST wins out IMHO.We have had two HST models and one straight gear.My larger HST is used for food plots and snow removal.The gear machine is my son's and he wouldn't have anything else;my then 14 year old granddaughter could handle it no problem.

jeff9366 · May 31, 2017

For five acres, HST for sure.

MORE: Google

jdorff · Jun 1, 2017

Thanks to everyone sharing their ideas.
I am going with the consensus and having the dealer to bring in tractor with Hydrostatic shift.
I will let you guys know how things work out.
Thanks again

Garrett Wiggins · Jun 1, 2017

Hydro for working tight places and gears if your doing farming work. Hard to beat the hydro for a hobby farming situation. Like was said earlier, the wife can drive it no problem.

void777 · Jun 2, 2017

Welcome to TBN

redman135 · Jun 2, 2017

Hydro. It is more forgiving of rookies.
Better in tight situations, and has better trade in value as this segment of the tractor market is going hydro,and away from gears.