8 Speed/Hydro Confusion

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

I've considered (briefly) switching the brake/neutral function to a pedal on the right side.  Somehow it seems more natural to me. Anyone else have this thought? Or done it?

I grew up on an old CC original the left foot for clutch/brake is kinda second nature its all the other controls , lift handles, gear shifts that get me confused, another reason I personally didn't feel right with the toe/heel rocker on the xi series and then brake pedal above that, seems more intuitive with a side by side set up to me.

[ebinmaine 67,759]

10 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

seems more intuitive with a side by side set up

I definitely can see the logic in that. 

[Handy Don 12,277]

51 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

I grew up on an old CC original the left foot for clutch/brake is kinda second nature its all the other controls , lift handles, gear shifts that get me confused, another reason I personally didn't feel right with the toe/heel rocker on the xi series and then brake pedal above that, seems more intuitive with a side by side set up to me.

@ebinmaine has a point--we learn. When I taught my children to drive (and they all thanked me for being a good teacher) I kept reminding them that driving is not the least bit intuitive--its ALL learned behavior. That's why they had to have logged 1,000 supervised miles behind the wheel before they could take the test--not because they couldn't have passed earlier, but because I wanted them to have experience over a year in lots of situations. Why is turning a wheel clockwise "right" and not the other way?  Why is stepping on one pedal to go an another pedal to stop sensible? I don't know--someone started it and others copied. It became a "standard".

I'm gonna take my own advice, give up trying to change things, and go out and practice! Seat time, anyone? 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

19 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

@ebinmaine has a point--we learn. When I taught my children to drive (and they all thanked me for being a good teacher) I kept reminding them that driving is not the least bit intuitive--its ALL learned behavior. 

And in a sense after you "learn" to do something repeatedly for a very long time and you do/try something different but similarly laid out it is therefore more intuitive, had I bought the xi new when I bought my 520H new as they came out the same year I might be singing a different tune ... And as Eric said above there have been many times in various other auto trans vehicles I have driven( not my everyday drivers) after driving manuals since before I got my driver's licenses my left leg/foot wants to push the firewall to core support yes a learned behavior. 

[AHS 1,443]

On 12/19/2020 at 9:45 PM, JCM said:

Having operated mainly 8 speed tractors with only one hydro for many years and now finding myself with 3 hydros If anyone was watching me during the recent 16'' plus snow removal operation would have been laughing seeing my hands and feet not sure were they were supposed to be, and now add the electric lift I really didn't know what machine I was on from time to time. For as long as I can remember I always preferred a manual trans be it in a truck, car or tractor but can honestly say an automatic trans in a WH is awesome especially when going in reverse, nothing like it. Sure does get you back in front of the woodstove and warming up a lot quicker. Maybe I should sell a few and just keep one of each, that would simplify things a bit ?

Yes, you should sell to me! My wife would be super impressed.... NOT!!!! The plus side is... you wouldn’t have to leave the state to see them.. with all of this COVID stuff going around!

[RJR49 129]

1. I've had both and will never buy another manual. I added a foot pedal to my C-160 a few years ago and have never looked back. BTW adding a foot pedal to a  C series is easy . Nothing to take apart or modify. You do need one of Matts foot pedals and a couple of parts that are easy to fabricate

[AHS 1,443]

I have 1 hydro.. a 72 14hp/sunstrand. All the other ones are clutch and manual trannys... that’s what I grew up on. As far as the 73 and the hydro tranny... it could be a little smoother... but that’s what you get for 47 almost 48 years old! It’s time to get 16hp Kohler k series! 💪 (8 speed would be preferable but I’ll settle for an auto) if it’s close by!

[pfrederi 17,742]

44 minutes ago, AHS said:

I have 1 hydro.. a 72 14hp/sunstrand. All the other ones are clutch and manual trannys... that’s what I grew up on. As far as the 73 and the hydro tranny... it could be a little smoother... but that’s what you get for 47 almost 48 years old! It’s time to get 16hp Kohler k series! 💪 (8 speed would be preferable but I’ll settle for an auto) if it’s close by!

Smoother...If your Sunstrand isn't smooth you need to adjust the spring tension on the motion control.

[tom2p 2,394]

On 12/20/2020 at 4:04 PM, ebinmaine said:

Oh man. Then there's that. 

and especially if you also ride a motorcycle 

 

motorcycle front brake is on the right - bicycle front brake is on the left 

 

I switch my bicycles to be like a motorcycle - front brake on the right 

 

then gotta make sure no one jumps on my bike to take a spin - or they might find themselves on their head   lol

 

 

[Greentored 3,217]

In my limited time as a Horse addict, It's amazing how much more 'free' a stick shift tractor moves- the hydros always feel 'loaded' (obviously they are).  

However, 'Lawn duty' is hydro (1277) and cant imagine anything else for cutting grass when needing to constantly change direction mowing around obstacles. Imagine it'd be the same for plowing snow!

Like @ohiofarmer said- the dash mounted lever on my 520H was by far the worst 'thing' about that machine- It would've had a foot pedal conversion had I kept it.  The side mounted stick on the 1277 and other similar models is a dream to operate, smoothe as a baby's bottom!

For me, aside from lawn duty, stick shift all the way

[ebinmaine 67,759]

16 minutes ago, Greentored said:

constantly change direction ****  plowing snow!

That's exactly what has my curiosity up enough to try out the Charger...

[Greentored 3,217]

49 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

That's exactly what has my curiosity up enough to try out the Charger...

My humble opinion would be that it would be a dream to move snow with a hydro. Infinite speed adjustment when burying it into a pile and to maintain traction. Am I correct?

[ebinmaine 67,759]

31 minutes ago, Greentored said:

My humble opinion would be that it would be a dream to move snow with a hydro. Infinite speed adjustment when burying it into a pile and to maintain traction. Am I correct?

That's what I'm being told and also the Charger has limited slip traction

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Can't beat foot motion control on a hydro!  My goto has been a C-85 6pd with down pressure blade but that is going to change...

[daveoman1966 3,752]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

That's what I'm being told and also the Charger has limited slip traction

ABSOTIVELY.   My c-160 Auto at full speed into a snow bank makes the prettiest white cloud you'll ever see.   Then, throw into rev and hit it again....  what more fun can a grown man have...???  

[ebinmaine 67,759]

3 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

ABSOTIVELY.   My c-160 Auto at full speed into a snow bank makes the prettiest white cloud you'll ever see.   Then, throw into rev and hit it again....  what more fun can a grown man have...???  

I can't actually think of anything....

[rjg854 11,392]

Since mowing, plowing and blowing snow with a hydro, I'll probably never go back to a gear jammer for those duties. That's not even mentioning being able to lift those implements with just a finger.

[rmaynard 15,531]

On 12/19/2020 at 11:38 PM, daveoman1966 said:

Except for dirt plowing/tilling, the hydros are much better than the standard trans for just about everything...especially for snow removal.  I am in n/w PA ...in the snow belt.  My C-160 auto nas NEVER been stuck in snow and we've had some winters with lots and lots.  

 

I never had a hydro for snow plowing until I got my 416-H. I always plowed with my B-100 8-speed. I thought it was the best and I would put it up against any hydro...and then I tried plowing with the 416-H. I'll never go back to an 8-speed

[tom2p 2,394]

15 hours ago, Greentored said:

In my limited time as a Horse addict, It's amazing how much more 'free' a stick shift tractor moves- the hydros always feel 'loaded' (obviously they are).  

However, 'Lawn duty' is hydro (1277) and cant imagine anything else for cutting grass when needing to constantly change direction mowing around obstacles. Imagine it'd be the same for plowing snow!

Like @ohiofarmer said- the dash mounted lever on my 520H was by far the worst 'thing' about that machine- It would've had a foot pedal conversion had I kept it.  The side mounted stick on the 1277 and other similar models is a dream to operate, smoothe as a baby's bottom!

For me, aside from lawn duty, stick shift all the way

I like the column mounted  hydro lever near the steering wheel - it's well positioned near your hand on the wheel

 

the foot pedal conversion does not appeal to me because it requires you to keep your foot on the pedal to move

with the hydro lever it's like having cruise control - just move the lever in the desired position and go 

 

Edited December 24, 2020 by tom2p

[cschannuth 3,816]

23 minutes ago, tom2p said:

I like the column mounted  hydro lever near the steering wheel - it's well positioned near your hand on the wheel

 

the foot pedal conversion does not appeal to me because it requires you to keep your foot on the pedal to move

with the hydro lever it's like having cruise control - just move the lever in the desired position and go 

 

I agree. I’ve had both and the only reason I have the pedal now is because I have a loader on my 520 and the foot pedal lends itself to that application.  

[Greentored 3,217]

Oh, don't get me wrong fellas- the location and positioning of both the speed control AND hydro lift levers was great. It just always seemed 'wonky' and far from smoothe no matter what I did with lubricating points, bushing replacements and/or adjustments. Awful lot 'going on' to get from lever to hydro on those.

Any-who, to each his own, right?  That's the beauty of these Horses- so simple to work on. If we don't like something, change it so we do!! 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

13 hours ago, tom2p said:

I like the column mounted  hydro lever near the steering wheel - it's well positioned near your hand on the wheel

 

the foot pedal conversion does not appeal to me because it requires you to keep your foot on the pedal to move

with the hydro lever it's like having cruise control - just move the lever in the desired position and go 

 

I concur, another reason I went manual trans on my 2 SCUTs, especially when mowing grass.