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Dieselrider 06-03-2012 05:25:26 98.21.109.215 Report to Moderator	I have a 1977 International Cub 184 lowboy that I am considering replacing (at some point in the future) with a more modern garden tractor. Something I can use a small tiller on or other things besides mowing. I was by a local JD dealer and saw a 1023 E that looks real nice. TPH, 4WD, quick attach/ detach Mower deck, rear and mid pto plus hydraulic connects for a loader if desired. Have looked online at a couple other brands as well. One thing I see is that many tractors in this size range are hydrostatic drive. What are these hydrostatic drives like? I am used to a gear driven tractor where you select the gear, set the throttle and it will run at a set speed until you move the throttle or push the clutch- no variation in speed and travel as the governor keeps things even. However, on a hydraulic setup, what happens if I get a bit heavy or light footed when driving? Is this an issue or not? What about cost to repair a hydrostatic drive? Is that ever likely to be an issue? I have a skid steer that is all hydraulic drive and it can bounce you around quite a bit when turning and such because of the hydraulic drives. Is this an issue with the hydrostatic 4wd tractors? Thank you to any that are owners or have been owners of hydrostatic drive tractors for your pros and con thoughts on this. [Reply]   [No Email]
Dieselrider 06-03-2012 07:04:43 98.21.109.215 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to Dieselrider, 06-03-2012 05:25:26   Thought of another question and remembering to answer one asked of me. Our ground is hilly (west central PA). Not much flat ground here. If I were cultivating vegetables with any 4wd tractor, do they stay a straight line on side hills better than two wheel drives? I would think so but, only have two wheel drives here now and usually need to put slight pressure on the "uphill" brake to get the tractor to hold the line. We have a CSA and market garden and I am always looking for time savers. Thanks.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Dieselrider 06-03-2012 06:55:09 98.21.109.215 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to Dieselrider, 06-03-2012 05:25:26   Couple follow up questions: 1. Do the hydrostats have a park brake or is that what it goes to automatically in neutral? 2. How about a differential lock where you can lock both rear wheels together? (maybe that isn't an issue with a 4wd?) The cruise control sounds nice. Thanks   [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Arnold 06-03-2012 08:22:46 174.95.21.228 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to Dieselrider, 06-03-2012 06:55:09   Diff Lock is pretty much standard on sub-CUT's. The Deere in question has that feature. It is on the rear axle only. 4WD tractors will go in the direction they are steered in because the front wheels are constantly pulling them that way. Of course, if you are on a steep cross grade in very loose soil, then side slippage can always occur. However, if that happens then the tractor is telling you that you shouldn't be there in the first place. The Deere has wet disk brakes that are operated by a foot pedal on the left side. The Hydro pedals are on the right side.. Presumably, there is some sort of pedal locking device that will hold the brake pedal in the depressed position to act as an emergency brake. Talk to your local Deere dealer on this issue to be 100 percent certain.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Arnold 06-03-2012 06:45:41 174.95.21.228 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to Dieselrider, 06-03-2012 05:25:26   If you own a skid steer loader, then you have been exposed to hydrostatic drive. The "steer sticks" are in neutral until you push or pull them and the machine moves accordingly. The further you push or pull the steer sticks the faster the skid steer moves. A hydrostatic drive garden tractor is the same . You will either have a single stick to push/pull OR there will be a rocker pedal or two separate pedals to control direction and ground speed. The throttle stays at whatever engine speed is needed. There is a huge difference between the way a skid steer feels while in use compared to a garden tractor. You already know that because you own a garden tractor. In other words, don't expect a hydro drive GT to act like your skid steer does. The hydro tractor won't drive much differently than your gear drive tractor does except that there will be no clutch to deal with and no need to shift gears. . Where the hydro really shines is when you have a loader mounted to the tractor. You are able to eliminate all of that stopping, shifting gears and starting every time you need to change direction. The hydro also works best on properties where there are a lot of obstructions to mow around that force you to reverse, go forward, reverse, go forward many times. If your prime purpose for this tractor is to mow acres of grass that have no obstructions, then a gear drive tractor might be a better choice. I don't know what your property is like nor what you normally use your LowBoy for. If the Deere has some sort of cruise control on it, then it would equate to your Cub, in that you could set the ground speed and not have to keep your foot on the pedal. You would need to ask the dealer if their sub-CUT is equipped with cruise. I also urge you to test drive these tractors before making a final decision. Hydrostatic pumps and motors are normally trouble free and will give many years of service but they are not cheap to repair when they reach the end of their life. The key issue is preventative maintenance by way of timely oil and filter changes. Hydrostatic drive is not the same is hydraulic drive. While both use oil to transfer power, the difference is in how that is done.   [Reply]  [No Email]
horsin around 06-03-2012 06:19:48 108.215.68.111 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to Dieselrider, 06-03-2012 05:25:26   dieselrider, My experience with the hydrostatic tractors are as follows, basically a Kubota 1 pedal for forward and reverse. the harder you push down the faster it goes. release pedal and brakes are applied. simple operation. Takes a little to get use to !!especially if you have a loaded bucket and release pedal , can almost toss you and will level contents of bucket for ya. Hydrostatic's rob the tractor of horse power especially front end loaders on a mid-size tractor. you may have to increase RPM'S depending on whatcha doing with it !! not always economical. Maybe test driving one would enlighten you more HTH bob   [Reply]  [No Email]
ed3 07-20-2012 13:35:12 198.185.164.128 Report to Moderator	Re: Hydroststic or gear driven? in reply to horsin around, 06-03-2012 06:19:48   Hydro are generally more efficent from a time perspective. You set the enging speed and leave it and use the hydro pedal to conrol the speed forward and backward. This generally works to your advantage as the hydraulics on the loader are much faster. So you save time shifting and moving the bucket/loader. Might burn a little more fuel but time is money also. hydro's on tractors are a lot smoother than a short wheelbase skid stear. Thomas Skid steers are like a bucking bronco while New holland with a longer wheelbase is much smoother.   [Reply]  [No Email]