Hydro & Manual trans. comparison
 

I'm wondering if I could get some points of view on the advantages & disadvantages of the two transmission styles. Thx.

Josh

With a hydro you have a unlimited speed selection, with a gear drive you have only 4 speeds you also have to buy creeper gear to go slower to run things like a snow blower. A gear drive tractor has more torque for plowing etc. It all depends on what you are going to use the tractor for.

I've owned quite a few of each, and here are my thoughts:

Hydro trans: Best for mowing and snowthrowing because of the need to change speed based on the load and in the case of mowing, maneuver around stuff. Trans is basically bulletproof...a fluid and filter change and a few linkage parts and some attention to the trunion slot will make everything like new for the most part.

Gear trans: My preference for ground-engaging attachments like tillers, moldboard plows, grader blades etc, as you don't want your speed to vary. You just put it in gear and go; with a hydro, you have to make constant speed adjustments due to the varying load. All the parts to rebuild the clutch cost about $150, but fixing a bad driveshaft on a hydro tractor will cost nearly as much. Sometimes there are issues with the shift forks or shifter, but those are few and far between and not a big deal. Repair/replacement isn't difficult. I've had about 30 gear drive tractors, and only one broken shift fork and two broken shifters.

Basically, you really need one of each:beerchug:

So, does that mean I am wasting my time rebuilding my 1450 to pull my bottom plow? It is a PITA lifting that plow on the back of my 1200. I really like the idea of moving a lever with a couple of fingers to lift and lower the plow. Now I'm all confused.

Lots of people have and use Hydro driven tractors for "plow day" events.

I use my hydro's for ground engaging equipment and have had no problems.
:ThumbsUp:

I use my 782 for plowing.I haven't had any problems, but I don't do that much . Usually my small garden and a section of a farmers field just to get some play time.:biggrin2: Like matt said a gear drive would be easier less adjusting of the speed just out er in gear n go. Use what you have and have some fun.:beerchug:

Yeah,a hydro has no issue pulling a plow,pushing dirt/snow,pulling a wagon,mowing,tilling,and just about anything in between.Like matt said though,unless the linkage is in good shape thay require a little more elbow grease and is some cases three hands:biggrin2:,but are just as bulletproof as a gear drive.However a hydro will require a little more power,so a slower speed is to be expected than with a gear drive when pulling a plow.

Lots of great point already made. My opinion is after tilling 5 hrs with my 122 with creeper it sucked pushing the clutch/brake pedal to slow the 122 down. This year I've tilled with my 125 and it was a lot more enjoyable. It felt less like work and more fun. I would never run a tiller with a gear drive again. Pulling a plow with a gear drive tractor with a creeper puts extra stress on the creeper and might lead to damaging the creeper gear. But with that said I enjoy plowing with a gear drive. Without a creeper of course. I've mowed my grass with my 1200 and it did a great job but I like the ease of mowing with a hydro. A creeper gear is used to slow down the tractor with keeping the RPM's a high rate so the tiller and thrower can proform as designed.

It just comes down to what your wanting to do with your tractor.

:biggrin2: Let's just make it easy for him.. Buy one of each! Once you buy one, you get bit by the yellow fever anyway. I have a 128 gear drive and I have a 782 hydro. Love them both for what each does best. :beerchug:

Hydros are also good for towing dead cubs around.

Thanks for the great info., guys. Yes, I like the idea of having one of each, maybe someday.

Most likely, I won't end up getting a tiller. My garden is small, and I have an old, but decent TroyBilt rear tine unit. I would be using the tractor for mowing a small yard, and maybe pushing a little snow with a blade, about 2 parking spaces on a city street.

I currently use a push mower and a snow shovel, but due to some back problems I'm considering a tractor so that I won't have to pay someone to cut my grass next year if I have back surgery.

Hypothetically, would a 12 HP manual shift tractor push average amounts of snow in first gear, not creeper gear, just regular first?

Josh P

Josh no need for a creeper gear for pushing snow just using a thrower or tiller.

Oh yeah,a 12HP manual will do that quite well,even 2nd it should push just fine.:beerchug:the biggest issue will be traction,you will need some weights and chains,or at the very least ags,but chains are best if you have any ice.

I had my blade on my 8 horse and it pushed snow just fine in 3rd gear but I have a long driveway. When your used to plowing with an atv like I am, 3rd gear seems too slow some times lol.

Hear Hear! Take a look at mine in the For Sale section. It will pull a house down.

Weaverama (sorry for the shameless self promotion :Sorry:)

It depends on what you are used to.

I've been pushing a clutch pedal for almost 47 years...(Yes, I'm getting old). I rather drive a manual trans Cub over a hydro Cub. I will get a more level surface when I'm tilling with a manual trans Cub. I will throttle down (1/3 to 1/2 throttle) some if needed when I go around an object.

I use 2nd gear when I push snow with a manual trans Cub. This year I had my 149 doing blade duties. I can move snow faster with a hydro....still like a manual trans Cub better.

hydros / stick
 

I my limited experence, mowing high grass with a hydro is best. you can leave the blades spinning full speed,while varing ground speed with hydro!
I plow with 12" mold board, 12hp 124 stick in 2nd, 3/4 throttle that way can
let govenor work a little, when load shifts up ! but only my opinion.
I have 10 hydros, only 5 sticks. the more fun is they all have own way of doing the job!
Thanks Daduke of

I'm with Merk on being used to the clutch for decades. It's what I had used on about every tractor my Dad had when I was a kid, and I'm really just more comfortable with picking a gear and using the throttle if I need to slow down a little.

My yard is such that I think I can pretty much mow in a continuous circle in 2nd gear, without having to back up for lots of obstacles. The only attachment I expect to use at this point is a snow blade, and from what I'm hearing from you guys, with proper tires/chains, I think a manual shift 10 or 12 HP will be more than sufficient.

One of the only hydros I used as a kid was my neighbor's Bolens, which had a foot pedal. It seemed impossible to hold steady pressure on the foot pedal when hitting any sort of irregular terrain, and the tractor would constantly be lurching when going over bumps. Not sure if that's still in use, but we all seemed to dislike that setup at the time.

Josh