Tractor transmission type and importance

NY 986 · Sep 9, 2015

The Case 970 thread got me thinking as to the importance of transmission type in terms of attractiveness to a buyer when bought new. Interesting to see the various opinions as to what sold best in a given community. Dealer support no doubt was important but I had not given too much thought as to how a transmission played into a decision. Most manufacturers only offered one package with the possibility of deleting a certain aspect. For some customers number of speeds was the most important decision in terms of transmission where as I lived in an area where people needed a number of speeds shifted to and from w/o clutching and therefore coming to a stop. So for some raw engine performance was most critical whereas for others handling greatly varying conditions via speed change was most important.

rustyfarmall · Sep 9, 2015

Mostly it was a marketing ploy. The manufacturers did their best to convince potential customers they NEEDED the multi-speed, shift-on-the-go transmissions. That way, you would not notice that the engines no longer had enough torque to pull through that occasional "tough" spot that didn't bother the older tractors, except to open the governor a bit, get a little bit louder, and slug right on through.

DeltaRed · Sep 9, 2015

Transmissions are as varied today as the jobs they are supposed to do.No transmission is 'perfect' for every job.For infinitly variable speeds the IH Hydros are the best.For heavy tillage,not so much,but still capable.For good old 'hard' pulling/tillage,a common old gear transmission is best. Justmy thoughts.

NY 986 · Sep 9, 2015

It's interesting in terms of what you know in your area and how it impacts a decision. I would say where I live unless you wanted an engine to loaf until it hit a hard spot that it was important to be able to drop back a couple of speeds for the tough area then once clear resume your original speed. I think even that the best of the high torque engines would get knocked back 400-500 engine RPM's in the hard spots on the home place. That kind of lugging would be harmful to any engine I know. Maybe multi-speed PS was marketing but it sure comes in handy. No right or wrong answer just interesting to see various perspectives on it.

NY 986 · Sep 9, 2015

IH hydro's were not common here unless used on vegetable farms for transplanting and harvesting. A few got sold to hay guys that wanted unlimited range when baling.

Part Time Pete · Sep 9, 2015

I've got a 1755 and 2-105, both of which have three speeds shift on the fly. I work a lot of steep rough ground, and I can't imagine mowing or baling without it. I remember my dad baling with a John Deere A, and our neighbor baled with an 8N - had to be a lot of work
Pete

Hay maker2 · Sep 9, 2015

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 3 speed does not help you going down hill unless you want to ride the brakes all the way down.

I had the over/under on my 1950 and worked hills too and I would rather shift gears than worry about free wheeling down hills. It was easier to put a guy on the 4020 and not worry about them going down a hill if it was not in direct drive.

Hay maker2 · Sep 9, 2015

I always liked the JD powershifts, syncros, or Quads. It is what I am accusmoned to using.

I never liked the Internationals becuase the ground to much to shift them, especially the 86 series.

I did not care for my Oliver 1950 shift pattern and the potential to go free wheeling down hill if you were in hydra-power.

The Fords (3600, 5600, 6600) were good transmissions, but I would much rather be on a row crop tratcor than straddle a transmission. John Deeres are no different when it comes to there utility models.

I never been on a Minnie-Moe or Allis so I have no opnion on that.

On all the newer suff they seem pretty comparable. I always tell everyone if your going to buy a new tractor, try them all out regardless of color.

NY 986 · Sep 9, 2015

Over and direct drive were positive locks to the transmission so no free wheeling but in under it does. My understanding is that at some point White changed that but I am not certain.

NY 986 · Sep 9, 2015

Another way to look at it is that back in the day a Farmall M pulled 2X14 here on the home farm. A M in most conditions is a 3X14 tractor. That same M with a 3 speed powershift coupled with the original 5 speed would have opened the door to running 3X14 here at home. It is one thing to lug a motor for 30 feet or so but here the tough areas can be a few hundred feet. When I say lugging at 400 or 500 RPM's off that is after the single power shift downward would have been made.

blue water massey · Sep 9, 2015

for me it will always be a gear trans and cluch

All my tractors and garden tractors are basic standard transmmitions.

Hydros have their place if you're doing a lot of loader work I quess, but I would still buy a gear trans, as I feel they hold up better and give a more constant speed control in most uses.

BTW that goes for my trucks as well as cars, I'll only buy standard trans equiped transportation.

I have driven hydro tractors and riding mowers as well as automatic cars n trucks they just don't seam to work as hard or long as a gear trans. But that is only my opinion others will vary I'm sure.

DENNIS MIN · Sep 9, 2015

blue water masey,

I too look for standard transmission in autos. I spent quite a while looking for a stick shift diesel pickup. turns out only the RAM cummins is alone.

Too bad Ford/chevy don't know how to make a stick-shift tranny, of course said tongue in cheek. I know For and CHevy could produce the stick shift, they just do not in a pickup.

D.

Donald Lehman · Sep 9, 2015

The hydro-power and the three speed hydraul-shift were only free wheeling in the "under" position. Both the "direct" and "over" positions held back on the down hills. It was a pain until you learned to leave the things in direct downhill. I believe the early Massey power shift free wheeled in the low position, too didn't they?

notjustair · Sep 9, 2015

The 4020 is a powershift, but other than it I wouldn't have one that wasn't a quad shift. Until the 7800. That has the 19 speed powershift trans. It has to be about the handiest thing in a tractor. It almost makes it into a hydro. You don't even have to use the clutch to start out, but I just can't bring myself to do it that way. It is very handy to bale with, mow with, and plant with. I'm looking for an older chore tractor but I will go back to quad shift as 8 speeds in the powershift really limits you.

Donald Lehman · Sep 9, 2015

I've driven the 1070 and the ornery shifting in the thing was about the only fault I could find with the tractor. Other than that, I liked the tractor. I think you are right about ease of shifting being a big factor in the desirability of a tractor. The IH hydros and the early JD power shifts were horribly inefficient transmissions, yet the ease of shifting sold a pile of them for both companies.

Donald Lehman · Sep 9, 2015

I dunno about that. In my area the IH hdros sold very well. Especially the 656. At least in the early years that they were available.

VicS · Sep 10, 2015

My son bought a 50 HP hydro JD. I didn't know we needed one till we had one. But I don't want to give it up. Kinda like a zero turn mower.

Tractor transmission type and importance

NY 986

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rustyfarmall

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DeltaRed

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NY 986

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NY 986

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Part Time Pete

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Hay maker2

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Hay maker2

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NY 986

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NY 986

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blue water massey

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DENNIS MIN

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Donald Lehman

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notjustair

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Donald Lehman

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Donald Lehman

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