What is better 8 speeds or hydros??

[rollingflat 123]

I have 2 manual 8 speeds and just bought a c-160 auto..I know it probably needs some ajustments but not sure

I like having to constantly hold the lever forword or back... trying to turn while lifting tiller or plow and keeping hand on lever

kind of hard w only two hands...     what do you guys think?

 

Am I missing something ? 

[RMCIII 838]

Well, that can be answered pretty easily... What are your demands? If they require a constant steady speed, they go for the 8-speed. But if you need to be adjusting speed, like blowing snow, then, a hydro is better... SO! What is your demand?

 

Rob

[rmaynard 15,631]

Having experienced both hydros and 8-speeds, i have to admit that I am still a clutch man. It's 8-speeds for me.

[rollingflat 123]

Plowing snow, tilling garden, plowing garden. The c-160 had tiller on it when I bought it, tryed it in garden but wasn't happy. switch

it ot the 414-8 and loved how it tills out.

[rollingflat 123]

Does the autos have ajustments to keep the lever in a constant spot or do you have to hold it all the time?

[boovuc 1,090]

Any WH hydro speed control lever should stay where you put it keeping the speed maintained at that point. You do not need to keep a hand on the speed control stick. There are old tractors out there that have worn bushings that make it necessary to keep re-adjusting the speed but that is not how they should work.

[rollingflat 123]

Great I thought there had to be a slight problem w it needing ajustment. I'll work on it this week and see if I can get it wooking better.

 

 Thanks for the help.

[pacer 3,174]

Yes there is an adjustment - its simply friction, depending on the tranny, probably a pinch type nut that when tightened - slightly - will increase the friction on the movement. An Eaton 1100 I've got is plastic and a Sundstrand is metal ... Will probably need a cleaning while in there

[daveoman1966 3,762]

The friction controls have to be kept dry...don't lube them in any way.  If they are greasy and nasty, clean them thoroughly.  The motion lever should stay put by itself, under tension of the adjustable friction cone and components.  There is also a control shaft TAB that may be broken.  It protrudes thru the left side of the hoodstnad tunnel and locks the friction shaft in place.  If broken or cracked, the motion control lever and tension cones / spring will flop about wildly.  On some models, there is a secondary friciton control flat spring on the right side of the hoodstand.  Here are a few pics to help explain. 

 

IMHO...I have a '76 C-160 and a '72 Bronco 14...both auto.  If the Hydro is working as it should, I prefer it over a manual...by far.  While an 8-speed is better for tillers, a tiller stil works very well with autos.  I have 50 or more "in-the-way" trees, shrubs, planters, etc to mow around and, with the auto, all is done simply by moving control lever back and forth while steering with other hand. 

 

I further like the "Battering Ram" effect of the momentum build up when attacking that deep snow drift...again, and again...until its gone.  Of course, the BIG advantage is the hydraulic lift not afforded the manuals.  Via hard-link to the dozer blade, I can lift the front wheels 3 or 4 inches air-borne....that REALLY digs into the hard-pack snow or ice (soft blacktop too).   There is an electric lift for them but it leaves a lot out. 

Edited October 9, 2014 by daveoman1966

[Ed Kennell 38,731]

The hydro tranny with right  foot control gets my vote.  Leaves right hand free to steer and left hand on the hydro lift.    Next mod to my 520H snow blower  may be adding a  left foot  control  on the hydro lift  freeing up both hands  for steering and coffee cup control. 

[varosd 1,185]

Ed,

       sounds like an excellent idea!

has it been done before?

 

The hydro tranny with right  foot control gets my vote.  Leaves right hand free to steer and left hand on the hydro lift.    Next mod to my 520H snow blower  may be adding a  left foot  control  on the hydro lift  freeing up both hands  for steering and coffee cup control. 

[Fordiesel69 263]

Hydro's tend to crack the frame flange more than the 8 speeds.  Other than that, if you are asking about durability, the 8 speed, sunstrand, and eaton 1100 are all great.  The eaton 700 I personally would only want to own if it was purchased new.  To many people do not change fluid often, or at all, and the 700 model will fail. 

[Ed Kennell 38,731]

I have never seen a foot controlled lift Don, but It wouldn't be very difficult.  I'm thinking a rocker type plate  mounted on the left running board behind the brake pedal.

[rollingflat 123]

Dave thanks for the pics and diagram they will come in handy working on it .

[Molon_Labe 731]

I love both the hydro and the 8 speeds, The hydro is much better for the mowing and close in chores and the 8 speed is better for the brute strength work. Having both, I couldn't pick a favorite!!! They both perform any task asked of them!!!

[robcv61 0]

  It was explained to me that a manual is best for snow plowing (hassle with the slow down and turn around on a hydro) , rototilling (a hydro wants to keep pushing you forward due to high revs needed and doesnt allow busting up the dirt very well) and any other high rev- low speed operation. Hydro are great for mowing or pulling logs around and any other operation that needs high revs and manuevering is not a problem. I own a GT14 hydro and a C-160 hydro and know the big push on a rototiller makes it hard to do a fine till in just a few passes and I do push snow with the GT14 and it works fine for me. It depends on your use and personal preference.

 

[zieg72 209]

Hydro with Foot Control on everything except tiller IMO.  I have both.