hydro for a loader tractor ?

michaelr · Mar 23, 2014

Would a hydro make a good loader tractor? A 1066 hydro or a 3488 hydro? Are hydros preferable to powershift for a loader tractor? Anyone ever run a 3488 hydro? Are they as solid as the 1066?

504 · Mar 23, 2014

I have a 656 Hydro, it became my favorite tractor real quick.(I have two other loader tractors)

TJV · Mar 23, 2014

dad had a 826 hydro we traded for a 186 hydro back in the late 80's and still use it today along with a 2nd 186 purchased in the mid 90's I wouldnt trade them for any powershift, or shutle left hand reverser type for any thing(i have run both of these at different times). In fact we spent more rebuilding one a year ago than it was worth just to keep it. the first one now has 15000+ hrs and the other 8000+ but have had work done and are still reparible units. Bothe have had loaders on since we got them, they are also excelent haying tractors. the only down fall for a loader is the lack of front wheel assist but you learn to deal with it.

DK44H · Mar 23, 2014

Had two of them over the years. A 966 hydro and a 186 hydro. Both were loader tractors. Never had any problems. Hydros make the best haying tractors.

DeltaRed · Mar 23, 2014

I 've had 3 hydros.Still own an 826H.The best haying tractor EVER!They also make a damn fine loader tractor.

leon · Mar 24, 2014

Hard to beat a hydro transmission for a loader tractor. I've been running one for 13 years now. Oh, it is green with two foot pedals for direction/speed, but it's still a loader tractor with hydro. Maybe one of the new-fangled infinitely variable transmissions would work as well but have not had the opportunity to try that.

timbernt · Mar 24, 2014

I have a 3488 with a Westendorf TA-46 loader. The biggest drawback is you really need a third arm to efficiently operate the hydro lever, the steering wheel, and the hydraulic levers all at one time. There is no comparison between it and my MX-120 with shuttle. One other consideration is the hydraulics are much slower on those older IH tractors so the loader is slower. They are 14 to 17 gpm compared to 26 gpm on Case tractors the same age or 30 gpm on the CaseIH tractors. However, I still enjoy operating the 3488, especially on a mist blower sprayer and on a 3-point stump grinder where IVT is needed.

N_Gus347 · Mar 27, 2014

I've ran a 2250 loader on a Hydro at my father in law's farm, it is a really really great tractor. Especially with the Elwood MFD axle on it. Although the one thing that would make it that much better is swapping the hand shuttle up by the steering wheel, for the Euro H84 foot pedal shuttles.

hydro for a loader tractor ?

michaelr

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504

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TJV

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DK44H

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DeltaRed

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leon

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timbernt

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N_Gus347

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