Tractor shift

[Trainer]

To make a short story long let me tell you where I am coming from. My first tractor was a Ford 801 Workmaster in the early 1960's. Every tractor I have owned had what would be considered standard shift. You know, a clutch and gears. I am going to start looking around for a new tractor. I would like some input on the types of transmissions. At the present I do not know what brand I will buy so I am not asking what is the best brand. I will be getting a 45 to 50 hp.

Now for the questions.

1-Are the "automatic" transmissions dependable over the long haul?

2-Will they pull as well as the clutch and gear type?

3-Do the automatics need frequent maintenance?

Any other input would be appreciated.

 

[Soundguy]

What you refer to as 'automatics' are probably 'HST' style trannies.

For the most part.. people that use them.. bought them for a specific reason, and really like them. IE.. guys that do lots of loader work like them... guys that need to constantly vary their ground speed but leaving the pto speed the same like them.. IE.. mowing an obstacle course..e tc.

Any tranny needs maintenance... old ford gear trannies like you are used to a tough... lack of maintenance on them doesn't hurt them too bad .. If you treated a new HST like an old ford crashbox.. and didn't change the oil in it in 50 ys.. I'd expect the HST to not survive as well as the old crashbox...

Dependable over the long haul? Check back in 60 years!

Do they pull as well? Yes, no, maybee. Depends on what you want to do.

If you are running a big mower/disc/plow over an open 1000ac field And shift into gear and head out inthe morning and never touch the gear stick till evening.. I'd stick with gear. If you are mowing an obstacle course .. I'd get the HST. Pull as well.. here's one hitch... the hst has a relief valve... there have been a few posts here o fthe valve going into relief, thus wheels not spinning, thus tractor not moving.. it's not a super common occurence.. but is mentioned.. A gear tractor, you can assume will either slip the clutch, spinn the wheels, or stall... that's what I want.. Not a relief to pop... but that's my personal opinion... I am a gear man.

There are other small issues that can be mitigated.. like HST systems that have filters that blow out in cold weather .. but different oil and filters helps that..e tc.

There are some push-pull safety issues and 'extreme circumstance' issues that sit ont he edge of the fence as well. HST might be safer if you are working around a steep dropoff / cliff... IE.. more control of speed.. Gear tranny won't just plain die and stop moving if you blow a hyd hose.. plain gear trannied tractor might roll off a railroad crossing by judicous use of a pocket knife blade in a bad emergency vs an immobile HST..e tc.

Like I said.. far fetched stuff. For most issues.. you can do the same thing with either tractor.. one costs a bit less but makes your left knee work a tad more.. etc.

soundguy

 

[john_bud]

To make a short story long let me tell you where I am coming from. My first tractor was a Ford 801 Workmaster in the early 1960's. Every tractor I have owned had what would be considered standard shift. You know, a clutch and gears. I am going to start looking around for a new tractor. I would like some input on the types of transmissions. At the present I do not know what brand I will buy so I am not asking what is the best brand. I will be getting a 45 to 50 hp.

Now for the questions.

1-Are the "automatic" transmissions dependable over the long haul?

2-Will they pull as well as the clutch and gear type?

3-Do the automatics need frequent maintenance?

Any other input would be appreciated.

HST's have been around since the early '70's. Even those early ones have proven to be reliable. The new ones are improved versions and are even more reliable, smoother, quieter. (Soundguy didn't mention that HST's will have a characteristic whine from the pump.)

The "powershift" transmissions are hydraulically shifted gear transmissions. Sort of like a manually controlled automatic in operation. You move the lever to a different gear (no clutching) and it shifts. Unlike an automobile transmission, they don't change by themselves. They are also reliable.


All tractors will pull. Gear tractors and powershift (Kubota calls it Glideshift) will pull the best as they have less powertrain loss. So, if you are going to do mostly ground work (disc, plow, till, etc), they are probably the best choice. The HST do pull well, but will get a bit warmer. I've run an HST for 7-8 hours straight pulling a 2x14 bottom plow thru 20+ year untouched sod. So, yes, they pull well. It probably cost an extra 1/2 gal of fuel over what a gear tractor would use. To me, no big deal. If I was doing it every day, it would add up and be a big deal!

Do they require special maintenance? There is an extra filter that is changed with the fluid. Change intervals are the same for gear and HST. As Soundguy stated, you can ABUSE a gear trans more by ignoring maintenance and it won't bark too bad. An HST may be grumpy and gum up the pump or motor in the trans. So, if you are PLANNING on abusing your tractor, I guess a gear trans is the best choice. But if you are planning on regular maintenance, any transmission will be good.


jb

 

[RWolf]

Depending on what you want to accomplish will determine if HST is the way to go or not. I'm new to tractors as far as owning one but not so new to using them (borrowed etc) and the mechanics behind them. I just receive my JD 5103 with it's shuttle shift. Personally I would rather have the gears because IMO there's less to go wrong. So far I've mowed a few acres, box blade work, Front-end work and as of this last weekend put a few fence posts in with a borrowed (and bent) post hole digger. I even used the FEL to pull the old posts (metal with concrete) out and was able to snuggle the bucket up to the post very easily. The new systems are all good it's more of a personal choice now.

Richard

 

[radman1]

Depending on what you want to accomplish will determine if HST is the way to go or not. I'm new to tractors as far as owning one but not so new to using them (borrowed etc) and the mechanics behind them. I just receive my JD 5103 with it's shuttle shift. Personally I would rather have the gears because IMO there's less to go wrong. So far I've mowed a few acres, box blade work, Front-end work and as of this last weekend put a few fence posts in with a borrowed (and bent) post hole digger. I even used the FEL to pull the old posts (metal with concrete) out and was able to snuggle the bucket up to the post very easily. The new systems are all good it's more of a personal choice now.

Richard

Can't really say there is less to go wrong with the 5103 gear shift. Your tractor like many others has a dry clutch. With time, it will require new clutch. Depending on how much clutching (especially loader work), they will wear out. My 1994 JD 5300 had clutch replaced about 2000 hours and I wasn't hard on the clutch. Cost about $1400 to replace. I bought the tractor used at 700 hours and it was used by a landscaper who probably used the clutch harder than I did. A hydraulically engaged wet clutch will last much longer, in part due to cooler running clutch from the oil.

 

[RWolf]

Could be.. What I was trying to get across and probably did a poor job was that what you plan on doing really should be the deciding factor in the gear verse HST. As far as complexity of systems I still believe a gear setup is simplier. Cost to repair???? Hopefully I won't have to find out for many years.

 

[radman1]

Could be.. What I was trying to get across and probably did a poor job was that what you plan on doing really should be the deciding factor in the gear verse HST. As far as complexity of systems I still believe a gear setup is simplier. Cost to repair???? Hopefully I won't have to find out for many years.

I agree with you completely. I don't know which one has a higher repair rate/cost overall. HST or gear. Only the JD bean counters probably know for sure. Replacing HST is probably $$$ but they seem to have rare problems. Gear is cheaper to work on, but is the chance of repair higher?