Hydros vs Manual

[Userj8670]

Why do some people prefer hydros over stick shift ? Im not very familiar with the hydros but i would think that the stick shifts could out pull a hydro any day? Im just looking to get educated on the advantages and disadvantages of each

[CADplans]

Very few people are interested in "max pull".

Typical users need full pull maybe 5% or less of the time.

Hydro convenience trumps pushing a clutch, IMHO.

That said, I use a gear drive for blade work, I love doing all a GT can do with only 10HP

[J-Mech]

Gear drives definitely have a place. But, so do hydrostats!

Gear drive tractors have an advantage in ground engaging equipment. (Tillers, plows, disks .... ETC) Because you don't have to worry about overheating or just the constant headache of adjusting speed. For example: When I run my tiller on my hydro tractor, the tiller pushing against the tractor. So when in the ground, you have to slow way down........ but then when you raise it up, the tractor basically stops, and you have to speed up again. Gear drive tractors just keep moving. However, when running say, a snowblower. The need for constant speed adjustment is a MUST! And your foot will get really tired of clutching all the time. I have both, and I use them where they work best. As far as power to the ground..... I can't say there is much difference. There is some power loss through a hydro, (mathematical fact), but in a small tractor like this it is hardly noticeable. These hydro's are ridiculously stout!

[rusmart]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Gear drives definitely have a place. But, so do hydrostats!

Gear drive tractors have an advantage in ground engaging equipment. (Tillers, plows, disks .... ETC) Because you don't have to worry about overheating or just the constant headache of adjusting speed. For example: When I run my tiller on my hydro tractor, the tiller pushing against the tractor. So when in the ground, you have to slow way down........ but then when you raise it up, the tractor basically stops, and you have to speed up again. Gear drive tractors just keep moving. However, when running say, a snowblower. The need for constant speed adjustment is a MUST! And your foot will get really tired of clutching all the time. I have both, and I use them where they work best. As far as power to the ground..... I can't say there is much difference. There is some power loss through a hydro, (mathematical fact), but in a small tractor like this it is hardly noticeable. These hydro's are ridiculously stout!

I have limited experience, but what Jonathon says echoes pretty much everything I've read.

Both gear and hydro have a place. Every person has their preferences.
Generally speaking, people prefer hydros to mow, snowblow, plow snow, and/or general yard duty. Very useful if you are constantly changing speeds and switching between forward and backward.
Others prefer gear drive for plowing dirt, most ground engaging work, driving or mowing on hilly terrain where a constant speed is desired.
For a tiller use, I've heard some like a hydro, but more like a gear cub w/creeper.

Both the hydro and gear transmissions are tough. The hydro is a bit better sealed against water, but can be a bit touchy when the hydro release valves get stuck or the filter gets clogged. You can work them pretty hard, and they will get hot. Haven't ever heard of one dying from overheating, maybe others have. Like Jonathon said, there is some theoretical loss of horsepower (I've read 2-3hp loss). Gear drives are pretty straight forward, but it is fairly common to get water in there if left out in the weather for a long time (through the gear shifter in my experience).

Note: A creeper gear is required to use a tiller, snowblower and other attachments requiring very low speeds with a cub gear drive. A creeper is about $150-$200 to purchase and takes some time and effort to get installed on a gear drive cub.

[cubby102]

I like using hydro for snowthrowing and mowing. Everything else I prefer gear drive.... also just driving around for fun I think hydros tend to be a bit faster on the top end

[PaulS]

Having used both gear drive and now hydros extensively I still like them both. The gear drive requires more physical movement with the clutch and shifting action. The hydro requires, on mine at least only hand action but at times a third hand would be nice as one hand operates the forward/reverse lever and the other the implement controls leaving the steering wheel in need of a third hand. Come to think of it at times a third hand would be handy on a gear drive too with implement lift, gear changing and steering involved.

[IH Cub Cadet]

IMHO - both are great and both are worth owning.

However....

Where I live, it is right hilly and hand regulated hydro's, where you set the speed via lever, will tend to slow down going up hill and speed up going down. So one hand is on the hydro lever most of the time. Another problem for the hydros with hydro lever speed control (for me) is when using a front blade or blower, need to regulate the hydro, steer and control the implement lift, etc. Only two hands and sometimes that ain't enough to go around. Not a problem (again for me) with a gear drive.

I've got some new lawn and garden tractors with foot control and I'd say (for me), they are superior to a gear drive. So easy to drive and keep both hands on the steering wheel.

A smart guy on the Redsquare forum for Wheelhorse tractors has designed a foot control kit for the Wheelhorse tractors with the Eaton 11 pump/tranny set-up. I've got two of these tractors and made the conversion. Without a doubt, it brings the old iron Wheelhorse into the present century and IMHO, Deere or CC bring nothing to the table in equivalent size that beats them with the addition of foot control.

I said all the off topic tractor stuff above to say this - I WISH some smart person would develop a foot control for the IHCC's. I'd buy one in a heart beat.

So - hydro vs gear drive, my advice is love and own both!!!!

Thanks!
Bill

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by Userj8670

Why do some people prefer hydros over stick shift ? Im not very familiar with the hydros but i would think that the stick shifts could out pull a hydro any day? Im just looking to get educated on the advantages and disadvantages of each

Ease of operation, and a indefinite speed control are reasons why I think folks prefer a hydro drive. That makes a lot of sense, too!

I feel that the "direct" gear drive has a slight advantage over the "energy transfer system" of a hydro drive unit. There is no converting mechanical energy in to hydraulic energy in a direct drive gear transmission. That is the reason you don't see so many pullers running the hydro.

I don't use a gear drive to max pulling power to very often, but I'm glad I have two gear drive anyway! What's more, I'm afraid once the 1250 is running, I will set aside my gear drive tractors!!

[ACecil]

I really like them both! The hydros have plenty of power. I have to say, that Dually pulled my aerator better, than the 782 did this past Spring.

[drglinski]

I'll take a hydro as my machine of choice any day. I cannot argue against infinite speed between 0-8 mph. The whine a hydro makes while it's working is music to my ears. I respect those with gear drives and their place in CC history, but I prefer a hydro.