New to TBN. I am planning on buying a Mahindra 2810 but I am not sure which is a better the geared or hydro transmission. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifI will mainly be using it for shredding and driveway repairs on caliche based roads. Which is stronger and more dependable. THANKS
Transmissons
- Thread starter JCS
- Start date
- Views: 1823
I can't answer which is stronger in a Mahindra but I can tell you that after using a gear tractor for 25 years I really appreciate the HST on my New Holland. I was apprehensive about hydros when first looking for a new tractor but all the dealers who sold units with them claimed they were a proven commodity and were virtually bullet proof. It sure does makes it easier moving around in tight places and doing loader work also.
johnday
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 1,400
- Location
- monroe michigan, barton city soon
- Tractor
- NH TC 35 had, now a TC35DA LS25 lawnmower
JCS; Had a new TC35DA delivered a week ago. Traded in my one year old TC35 with gears. I'm very happy so far. I was never really happy with the gear trans. My tractor is used mainly for dirtwork, and grinding the gears when going from forward to reverse every so often didn't seem too good for the trans. It is said you loose a little power at the pto but I don't know. My pto is usually just used with a PHD, and I don't run that at 540 rpm anyway. Try both and see what you like. The larger tractor dealers sometimes even let you "barrow" one for the weekend to try out. Have fun with whatever YOU decide, I haven't really noticed a huge difference in the amount of work you can do with either one /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 23,144
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
I'm sure either transmission will work well. I'm a gear guy, personally.
However, to put that in perspective. If it's a choice between a loader and hydro, I'll want the loader. Money thing there.
Since I buy used equiipment, I wanted a 790 (gear only..no hydro option). I got what I wanted, but I sure wouldn't pass by a nice tractor with hydrostatic, if I were in the market.
You'll do the loader work a bit faster with a hydro...although I'm pretty good with using gears, there's still a bit of a delay when shifting. You do lose a bit of PTO HP with the hydro, but that wouldn't be a showstopper for me.
So..bottomline is, do you want to pay the extra $2000 or so for the hydro?
However, to put that in perspective. If it's a choice between a loader and hydro, I'll want the loader. Money thing there.
Since I buy used equiipment, I wanted a 790 (gear only..no hydro option). I got what I wanted, but I sure wouldn't pass by a nice tractor with hydrostatic, if I were in the market.
You'll do the loader work a bit faster with a hydro...although I'm pretty good with using gears, there's still a bit of a delay when shifting. You do lose a bit of PTO HP with the hydro, but that wouldn't be a showstopper for me.
So..bottomline is, do you want to pay the extra $2000 or so for the hydro?
Bob_Young
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2002
- Messages
- 1,244
- Location
- North of the Fingerlakes - NY
- Tractor
- Ford 4000; Ford 2000(both 3cyl.);JD40; 2004 Kubota L4300; 2006 Kubota B7610; new 2007 Kubota MX5000
I've never used an HST CUT, so maybe I should stay out of this. However, I spent 50 or so hours this winter moving snow at the county airport with a NH TV140 bi-directional tractor (105 PTO HP) with HST. It was my first exposure to HST after decades on gear driven Ag tractors and I wasn't all that impressed. In fact the most impressive things about that tractor were the constant HST whine and the fuel consumption. The thing guzzled diesel fuel at about 7 gal/hr or more whether it had alot of snow to move or only a light covering. It seemed to need a lot of fuel just to move its bulk around. Glad the county was paying for it & not me.
Part of this, I think, is that with an HST the engine is set at a moderately high RPM, somewhere near rated PTO speed, and speed control over the ground is managed with the HST lever. With a gear tractor the engine is often idled down well below PTO speed and a higher gear selected if the load is light. Only when the going gets tough is engine speed brought up and a lower gear selected. The HST's primary HP loss occurs at the wheels, not at the PTO. In order to compensate for this when the PUSH is really needed, more fuel must be burned. This is something that gets scant discussion in the HST/gear wars on TBN but, with the cost of fuel, warrants more.
The new HSTs may well be bullet proof, I dunno. But it's hard to argue with old gear Ag tractors that are still going strong in spite of abuse dished out by a variety of disinterested users over a period of 40 or 50 years. Would a modern HST have stood up to the same treatment over half a century? No one will know for another 50 years.
The Conventional Wisdom is that gear is best for ground engagement (plowing, disking, etc) while HST is best for serious loader work. That's reasonable enough but to each his own. Once you get the feel of a gear tractor you can do rather smart loader work with it...and I value that feel and gear economy more than HST convenience.
If I had the money to spend for HST, it would go for increased HP or more implements instead.
Part of this, I think, is that with an HST the engine is set at a moderately high RPM, somewhere near rated PTO speed, and speed control over the ground is managed with the HST lever. With a gear tractor the engine is often idled down well below PTO speed and a higher gear selected if the load is light. Only when the going gets tough is engine speed brought up and a lower gear selected. The HST's primary HP loss occurs at the wheels, not at the PTO. In order to compensate for this when the PUSH is really needed, more fuel must be burned. This is something that gets scant discussion in the HST/gear wars on TBN but, with the cost of fuel, warrants more.
The new HSTs may well be bullet proof, I dunno. But it's hard to argue with old gear Ag tractors that are still going strong in spite of abuse dished out by a variety of disinterested users over a period of 40 or 50 years. Would a modern HST have stood up to the same treatment over half a century? No one will know for another 50 years.
The Conventional Wisdom is that gear is best for ground engagement (plowing, disking, etc) while HST is best for serious loader work. That's reasonable enough but to each his own. Once you get the feel of a gear tractor you can do rather smart loader work with it...and I value that feel and gear economy more than HST convenience.
If I had the money to spend for HST, it would go for increased HP or more implements instead.
ThistleKop
Silver Member
JCS, Now you've donnit. Set them off again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif This is probably the most debated and posted subject on this forum.
TK
TK
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, i had gear tractors for years and this is my first HST. i love it, but of course my old arms and legs got tired of the constant clutch, shift. for fel work i don't think you can out do an hst.
teddydo
Silver Member
I agree that one is no better than the other. I personally don't want a stright shift in a vehickle anymore, I am spoiled now. I have a 4430 Kubota with the hrdro, and now I don't want the gear tractors any more. Now something may crop up like problems with the hrdro and make me change my mind but it will have to. I plow, disk, use loader or what ever I want and it is just easier. My fuel consumption isn't bad and I don't even think it is worse than the gear driven. And I use Super UDT and I don't even notice the whine. So I have used both and to date I would pick the hydro because of the ease of use. I am spoiled........teddy /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
JDNineNinety
Bronze Member
Thanks for the very well thought out post. Experience is always the best teacher.
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am not sure which is a better the geared or hydro transmission )</font>
Cool... gear vs hydro wars.. part 36.
Like many of the others have said.. both trannies 'work' fine.
I think your intended purpose of the tractor, and your personal taste should be the two defining factors.
Bottom line.. if you like a hydro.. GET IT.. if you like gear.. GET it.. both will do the same job as the other.. that said.. there are a few areas where each have a bit of an edge over the other. For instance... some sort of shuttle or hydro trans is sopposed to be the cats meow when doing loader work...
If you are doing ground engaging work( plow / disc) , or constant mowing, all day.. the gear will be a tad more efficient.
Gear is usually a bit cheaper.. about 1 thou or so.. maybee a little more.. maybee a little less.
Some people buy as much tractor as they can, and sacrifice a few options.. for instance.. buying a large 2wd gear tractor vs a smaller hydro 4wd tractor. It all depends on what you are doing before you decide which is better.
( I'm a gear man myself... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
good luck
Soundguy
Cool... gear vs hydro wars.. part 36.
Like many of the others have said.. both trannies 'work' fine.
I think your intended purpose of the tractor, and your personal taste should be the two defining factors.
Bottom line.. if you like a hydro.. GET IT.. if you like gear.. GET it.. both will do the same job as the other.. that said.. there are a few areas where each have a bit of an edge over the other. For instance... some sort of shuttle or hydro trans is sopposed to be the cats meow when doing loader work...
If you are doing ground engaging work( plow / disc) , or constant mowing, all day.. the gear will be a tad more efficient.
Gear is usually a bit cheaper.. about 1 thou or so.. maybee a little more.. maybee a little less.
Some people buy as much tractor as they can, and sacrifice a few options.. for instance.. buying a large 2wd gear tractor vs a smaller hydro 4wd tractor. It all depends on what you are doing before you decide which is better.
( I'm a gear man myself... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
good luck
Soundguy