I must be wrong about 4spd tractors. 3+R

[DennisThornton 4,769]

All my working WHs have 2 spd rears or are hydros
Heck, my Lxi hydro even has a 2 spd rear.
My NH TC35, 35 hp 4wd, has 12 speeds using a 3 spd rear end.
The Sears GT/16 has a 2 spd rear end
Husqvarna GT/18 has a 2 spd rear
My PK has 2 trannys! (they came with a single 3 spd,  4spd or 2 tandem 3 spds)
Always wanted an old Ford 8N but I'd want it to have a Sherman or the like
I've just always thought that extra speed range was necessary.  At times I want to creep but still have power!  So when I got more and more interested in WH I wanted to limit my search to tractors with more than 3 forward gears.  At least a 4 speed.  Well, I gather no 4 speeds forward, just hydros, 6sp forward (the " 8 Speed"s) or 3 spd forward and I ruled out all the 3 speed forwards.  But lots of guys love the big 3 speeders and work them.

I know a ton of old Fords were sold without a creeper trans but there's a reason why many had the Shermans.  There's a reason for so many WHs having two shifters.  Why such fondness for the 953, 1054 and other big tractors with only 3 speeds forward?  AND!  Anything preventing a simple 4spd to 8 spd swap?  I know I've seen some WHs that came with one shifter but now have two!

Thanks!
Dennis Thornton
  Edited July 31, 2015 by DennisThornton
can't spell...

[Racinbob 11,048]

No. It's been done many times. Depending on the tractor model and the transmission there likely will be some mods to the clutch/brake setup and to the sheetmetal to accommodate the hi/lo shifter but nothing too difficult.

[bean 85]

I've had both 4 & 8 speed transmissions. unless you are operating a tiller, I don't really see the need for an 8 speed.
I would occasionally put my 310-8 into low range to push some yard debris into the pile, but that was really just to prevent wheel spin. my little 5hp 4speed will push the same pile with ags and wheel weights, in 1st gear.
 I find the 4 spds more than adequate for what I do.

 

Edited July 31, 2015 by bean

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I've had both 4 & 8 speed transmissions. unless you are operating a tiller, I don't really see the need for an 8 speed.
I would occasionally put my 310-8 into low range to push some yard debris into the pile, but that was really just to prevent wheel spin. my little 5hp 4speed will push the same pile with ags and wheel weights, in 1st gear.
 I find the 4 spds more than adequate for what I do.

 

Power King folks say not to bother with the tiller without at least a 4sp and preferably the tandem 3spds.  I don't use Low/Low all that often but often enough that I think I would sorely miss it.  I suppose what I'm asking is while I do see quite a few folks that are very proud of their big 3speeders I've not noticed any so far complain or say that a trans transplant is on their list.  It's just so contrary to my thinking that I had to ask...

[stevasaurus 22,713]

Dennis, that is why you have more then one horse.  I have 2 with the hi / low gearing, 2 with the 3 speed forward, and now...finally a hydro.  I use them all...none of them are pretty...but they are all beautiful. 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Yeah, Steve, but all that I use have at least a 2 spd rear end, well except the 416H, but it will go as slow as I want.  Only 3 spd I have is the just dragged home 654.  I'm dying to get the 654 running to see what it can do!  I'm amazed at some of the pictures I've seen of these little guys plowing gardens and snow and doing the work of the bigger boys.  More slowly I'm sure but I wouldn't have thought they would have the weight to get the traction to pull anything!

[stevasaurus 22,713]

Actually, the ratio of the gears in the 3 speed transmissions is exactly the same as the ratio of the gears in the 6 and 8 speed transmissions when they are in high range.  Variables between the different horses other then size and weight would be engine size, input pulley size and rear tire size.