Hydraulic or gear driven tractors?

Dieselrider · Sep 5, 2010

I notice there are several brands and models of farm size tractors out there now with hydraulic transmissions (hydrostatic). Some of them have been around a long time and from what little I know of the early models they had some troubles.

My first impression would be that a gear driven tranny would be more reliable and trouble free but, on further thought there are a lot of machines today (IE. Skid steer loaders) that are very reliable and most that I am familiar with run with a total hydraulic drive system.

What are your experiences with modern hydrostatic transmissions in comparison to gear driven ones? (not in lawn mowers but in tractors used in tillage and "farm" work) Are they trouble free and reliable or just a big headache? Thanks.

IaGary · Sep 5, 2010

IH has been at it for years and got most of the bugs out. But for heavy tillage I would not own one. To much strain on the hydro and takes a lot of hp to move the same speed as a gear drive.

For loader work or mowing and haying you can't beat them.

greenbeanman in Kansas · Sep 5, 2010

There is quite a bit of energy loss to convert mechanical power to hydraulic power and then back again.

Mike (WA) · Sep 5, 2010

I had the same question when I was looking at a 20 HP John Deere with hydro awhile back. The dealer (who is also a friend, and doesn't blow smoke at me) pointed out that the model I was looking at is popular with landscapers- mostly operated by employees who are neither knowledgable nor charitable when it comes to machinery operation. He said they had had very few problems with the hydrostat. I bought the tractor, and have been very pleased. Great utility and loader tractor.

But I wouldn't want one for tillage- just asking for trouble.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2010

Yes for loader work. There's reason you don't see hydrostatic transmissions on bigger tractors very often. Dave

jm. · Sep 5, 2010

From the old L seris l 2850 KUBOTA in the 80s we have now eased on up to around 50h.p hydro units.Very little trouble and for those that say they don get work.. Have one of the largest sod producers in the nation that has somewhere over 16 of the larger L 50 hp and there days work is pulling nothing more that a giant rototiller..like device called an ati preeseeder and they work a tractor hard.. Have several out there with well over 3,000 hrs still holding up fine.. Hydros to experience more case temp so be prepared for heat from the transmission area on long hot days.. that is about the only negative we have seen..

buickanddeere · Sep 5, 2010

Most of the offroad trucks, backhoes, loaders,earth movers and bulldozers use a torque converter and planetary clutch packs.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 5, 2010

It all depends on what you want to use them for.

IH had a Hydro Farm tractor over 100 HP - and they were good tractors.

Problem with a Hydro is that they loose about 25-30% of the HP through the transmission for tillage.

For planting, harvesting, mowing, loader work or any task that benefits from infinite speeds at a constant engine RPM you won't find a better tractor transmission.

For tillage I'd rather have the 25% extra HP and fuel savings.

Gun guru · Sep 5, 2010

I have a 24 HP Deere tractor with the hydrostatic transmission. I like the hydro for the tight spaces it can work in and it is more productive, no clutch. One pedal for forward and one pedal for reverse. You do lose about 30 percent of the power when going from mechanical energy to hydraulic. My Deere has been trouble free for its 120 hours of use. My thinking is that if it runs cool and I dont overheat the crap out of the trans it should run okay.

Oldmax · Sep 6, 2010

I don't care for them on a hillside I live in WV. but I ask my local dealer about hydo trans They told me out of all the hydo tractors they had sold in the last few years only two had come back for repair. that sound good.

Hydraulic or gear driven tractors?

Dieselrider

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IaGary

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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Mike (WA)

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Anonymous-0

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jm.

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buickanddeere

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Anonymous-0

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Gun guru

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Oldmax

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