Master The Basics Of Tractor Transmissions: Ignore Neighbor's Bad Advice
19,072
Published 2024-05-16
George had done two things that I recommend in my book, "An Insider's Guide to Purchasing a Tractor" available here: asktractormike.com/product/an-insiders-guide-to-pu…. First, he's established a good relationship with a dealer salesperson, and he's working with them to get what he needs.
Second, he's buying the biggest tractor he can afford. On paper, a 40 hp tractor is more than enough for what George does, but it might not have the bulk to do the lifting jobs required at his business. He's moved up to the next frame size and is looking at a 47 hp tractor.
Since the beginning, George has told me he's buying a tractor with hydrostatic drive and I think that's a good thing. He's run a hydrostatic garden tractor before, so it won't take him long to learn to drive it. Plus, he has a son and grandkids that may also be using the tractor. It needs to be user-friendly to operate.
I'm a big proponent of hydrostat tractors. They're easier to use than gear drive, they're great for loader work, and you can slow way down when working on slopes. On the downside, they do build heat, which can lead to an early failure. Having said that, my perception is that you'll be replacing or rebuilding a hydrostatic transmission at about the same interval you would be replacing a clutch in a gear drive tranny. If you disagree, put it in the comments.
At the last minute, though, George decided he might want to buy a gear drive transmission-equipped tractor. When I asked him why, it was because a neighbor talked him out of hydro. The neighbor drives a tractor for the Missouri Department of Transportation and would never own a hydro because he feels it's a lot more difficult to operate for long periods of time.
The question becomes: are you buying a tractor for your neighbor, or for you and your family? I've seen customer select the wrong tractors many times in my career because of bad advice from friends or neighbors. If buying your first tractor, it is wise to get a lot of advice, but take it from everyone with a grain of salt. Their needs and preferences may be wildly different from your own, and, no matter how long they've been running tractors, their advice may not be the best for you.
In the end, I'm not sure what George bought, but I think I brought him back to the hydrostatic camp. Sometime when I see him I'll find out what he got and whether it worked for him and do another video.
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00:00 Introduction
01:14 Find a Dealer You Like
02:02 Don't Buy Too Small
03:40 Transmission Options
07:52 Neighbor's Bad Advice
All Comments (21)
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I have had many different 40 to 60 hp tractors all have been gear and shuttle. Six months ago I got my first hydro and can't believe how much I like it, I'll never go back. People need to listen to your advice and they will be happy. Take care
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As one 70 yr/old to George, "It's the number of steps to get on the damn thing that you should consider".
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Before purchasing my tractor, I found Tractor Mike's YouTube channel, bought his book ("An Insider's Guide to Purchasing a Tractor" - it was worth every penny!) and even communicated by email. He helped me decide on the tractor that fit me best (and yes, it has a hydro transmission). It has now been 4 years. There are a few days I wish I had a bigger tractor (Mike said "get the biggest tractor you can afford"), but 99% of the time, my tractor is perfect for my needs. When I started supporting Mike through Patreon, he emailed me and asked if we could have a personal, Zoom conference meeting. Mike spent even more of his valuable time helping me take next steps in my first time tractor ownership. I'm forever grateful!
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Your advice on buying "as big as you can" is also true for pickup trucks. I've never wished I bought a smaller truck with less HP!
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I'm a retired CAT&CUMMINGS KNUCKLE BUSTER good advice for overall use; the main thing with hydrostatic is preventive maintenance. Repairs can be very EXPENSIVE!!! Oil & filter changes are far CHEAPER!!!
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It has been my experience that shuttle and hydro transmissions are great for rolling equipment like bucket or wheeled implement work like moving bales, cleaning barns, raking hay, spraying but geared is the best option for implement work that involves breaking/moving dirt like plowing, planting, disking, etc.
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Very solid advice. I grew up using an old Ford 8N with a loader and other stuff we pulled to cut and bail hay, etc. Then 40 some odd years go by living in the city with no tractor work, but lots of fork lift experience. So when I got ready to buy a tractor earlier this year for our 15 acre retirement property, I was dead set on getting a gear drive 40hp compact. I ended up with a 50hp hrdro and am so glad that I did. I do tons of FEL work, and a lot of road grading. I added cruise control which is indispensable for the road grading. Overall, I am super happy with what I ended up getting!
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I was a shuttle shift for 20 years , my new tractor is hydro and I love it . Never go back . I agree Mike
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I'm a shuttle guy and I love it my buddy has a hydro that whines that would drive my crazy!!
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Great advise. I dumped my very used 54hp gear drive New Holland for a 2038R hydro. Most of the what I do is loader work. It’s a dream maneuvering around trees and such.
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I recently purchased a new tractor because we purchased some acreage and I needed a bigger one. I went with another orange one because my 20 year old 27hp orange one has been super reliable and I have a great relationship with the dealer. I debated getting a hydro unit but stuck with a shuttle shift mainly because my older tractor has given me zero problems. One thing the salesman told me about the hydro units is that you have to be careful if you're a landscaper or similar and moving a lot of dirt and gravel. He said that you can burn up the transmission if you move a lot of material with the loader at high speeds for extended periods. Just thought I would pass this along. So far I have really enjoyed my MX5400. The improvements in tractors in the last 20 years are remarkable.
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Hydro all the way! My 77 year old dad borrows my tractor and loves it compared to the standard tractors he used to run. Once again the experts pushing for the standard are speaking on hearsay and not their actual experience with the proper sized tractor for the work needed!
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I went from a Hydro Drive to a Power Shuttle Shift. From an operational standpoint both worked for me. I drive a manual transmission car, and have always had a manual since I was 16. Thus, shifting is not an issue. I had in my Hydro a lock feature for long passes, etc. My power shuttle shift was of the same brand but 30HP higher. That tractor was very difficult to control the clutch. It was never smooth in engagement, and always lurched and grabbed not matter how I used it. It was a new near zero hour tractor. After an incident it was totaled, and I then went to a 108HP Power Shuttle and is night and day different from the 70HP. The clutch works smoothly, and the valves are a dream to operate. It is not Korean made, but has a much better performance. It is truly a good utility tractor. So after all of that, if you are looking at some of the lower end tractors made in Korea, etc. The hydrostat tractor would probably serve you better than a Power Shuttle. I use my tractor for hay production, and other things around the farm, but its clutch, loader, and hydraulic valve performance make using it very easy, something I could not say for the Korean tractor I had before.
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I would imagine most hydrostatic tractors have enough room in the front to add an additional oil cooler or electric fan to help cool the hydraulic oil. An oil cooler needs to be able to flow enough gpm to fully supply the hydraulic needs of the tractor. This would help ensure longer hydro transmission life.
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Thanks for making. About a used '89 John Deere 855 25 horse. It is hydrostatic and works wonderfully. I do brush hog a tank of fuel once a month or so still no problems works wonderfully
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I agree. I love my hydro got almost 1000 hrs on it and still going strong.
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Mike (and George)- excellent advice. I have a 39hp hydro (Kubota L3901), 500+ hrs on it over about 5 years. My only regret is that I didn't buy the 47hp, but as I'm 75, maintaining a half dozen acres, mowing, moving firewood and trimmings and brush, loading trucks- lumber, hay, feed, etc...well, so I spend an extra hour or two...Definitely don't buy the shuttle: a lot harder and less convenient to run, and with proper maintainance, the hydro will long outlive us both.
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George buy the hydro. 😂 Retired farmer here. Have owned big tractors and small tractors. Now that I’m retired and just have 20 acres to mow, snowplow, pull logs for firewood and do loader work I bought a JD 4066r and couldn’t be happier. Small enough to get around, enough horsepower for everything I need and a hydro transmission for ease of use. Probably my last tractor, it will outlast me.
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During my 40+ year career in Ford/New Holland and Kubota dealerships, I believe the number of internal hydro problems I’ve seen could be counted on 1 hand. However, I stocked probably 20+ clutch assemblies and it seemed there was always at least one replacement clutch job in our 4 tech service department at all times. Just sayin’!
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Totally agree with you. Wouldn't trade hydro to shuttle for nothing.
