Power Shift Vs. Synchro

[Kris A NC]

Gentlemen,
I have never been around a New Gen tractor. I am curious what is the difference between the Synchro and the Power Shift Transmissions? Pros and Cons? Also when someone refers to the hydraulics on these tractors I have seen the acronym SVC. What does that refer to specifically? I would like to add a new gen to my collection someday and want to know more about them. Thanks...

Kris A NC

 

[LarrySTN]

SCV stands for selective control valve which simply is the remote hydraulic valve. I prefer powershift transmission as it is a full shift on the go no clutch needed transmission. We currently have 3 power shift tractors one syncro range. Syncro trans tractors have been very durable if treated properly. Syncro is a syncronized 2 speed with a non sycncronized 4 speed range. The 4 speed range is not to be shifted while the tractor is in motion. A lot of people do and this eventially will cause trouble. With proper care and maintence both are very reliable.

 

[a.rothermel]

they are both really good transmissions. I like the syncro the best but the powershifts are real good too. The powershift doesnt require you to use the clutch. The syncro requires you to push the clutch in before shifting gears.

 

[Mike M]

I have had them both. I really like the power shift as you can shift up or down under full load this is a plus sometimes.
But there are 2 things I don't like about the power shift.# 1 is that it bogs down the tractor,cold weather short runs where it doesn't get warmed up you can really tell it.# 2 is that on hills if climbing on and off,like loader work,the power shift can get stuck in park and hard to get out,or it won't go into park safely. One direction they go in better then the other. Uphill verses downhill can't remember which is worse ?
The syncro range when in park locks in better both ways much safer, and if stuck you can pull the lever against a spring and put it in 1st or rev. and move the pressure off the trans. and then the park can release.

 

[alabamafrog]

We have 3 syncros, 4010,4020,3020, I’ve never driven a powershift but with that said I really like the syncro, once you get used to the gear pattern they are very easy to shift and the speed difference between the gears is well proportioned. Seems to me like on a tractor that old the syncro would be more reliable and cheaper to fix than the powershift. I almost always come to a complete stop before shifting between any of the gears, except 6th and 8th when taking off on roads. I like the 4010 better because it has a 7th reverse and the 20’s don’t, I like using 7th forward and reverse when moving hay. One thing I always wondered about is why the lowest reverse is 3rd instead of 1st.

 

[4020_1966]

Alabamafrog, the 4020s actually do have Rev 3, you just normally can't get to it. Dads 64 4020 has worn bushings on the shifter and if you do it a certain way you can end up getting into Rev 3, dad has been in it a few times and I got it once. I am going to order the bushings when I have time to make it shift correctly.

 

[alabamafrog]

So the gearing is actually there its just the notch isn’t cut out in the shift plate? I always wondered if that was the case but never got around to cutting a notch in the plate to find out.

 

[louis110]

waiiiit... so we had some dude refurb our shifter on our "68 3020. It still shifts into 3rd reverse. Did I get ripped off?

 

[ncpapaul]

Powershift is the best when hooking and unhooking a lot equipment changing like I have to do....BUT terrible when comes time to pay the repair shop to fix it. My old Syncro just keeps chugging along. Paul

 

[Anonymous-0]

The power shift transmission is very sturdy. Rarely broken. But if it is, the cost to fix is quite high. The synchro transmission is tough too, but its most easily destroyed by towing the tractor with the gear shift in neutral, not tow.

The best way to know how they work is to buy the shop manual. There are early and late shop manuals because the late (side console) tractor is quite a bit different, especially in the hydraulics.

There is what looks like a clutch pedal with the power shift transmission, but its actually the "inching pedal" for hitching. And works valves to release multiple hydraulic clutches to stop the tractor.

The synchro transmission could have four reverse gears, just in the '20 tractors, the 3rd and fourth are locked out by the shift head in the dash. The '10 had three reverse gears, but the 3rd reverse was too fast for most work and not strong enough to survive well. Fourth reverse would be more fragile.

While the synchro transmission shifts as if it was a 4 speed transmission in front of a 2 speed forward with 1 reverse, its all done with three parallel shafts each having four gears with cog clutches for shifting. The gears of the 2 speed transmission are synchronized for shifting on the go, the gears of the 4 speed are not. This transmission wasn't designed overnight!

There are a couple good books on the design of the new generator tractors that until you can own a tractor are very good sources of how they work and what all their innovations were. Look at the Society of Agriculture Engineers book store for them, and they surely can be had at many on line book stores. Very and educational good reading. At least one of them was written by an engineer involved in the new generation project.

Gerald J.

 

[Bob]

Yes.

 

[RobMD]

I love the synch, it is just as durable as the power shift. However, with the synch, clutching can be a pain with the loader.

As with all tractors both synch and power, the shift linkage can truly mess up both.

When you get a tractor, make sure it shifts, and that the linkage isn't flopping around in there.

It's a PITA.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Drive both to get a feel of them. I"ve had 5 PS, and you couldn"t give me a synchro. It"s largely a personal preference thing. Quad-Range I can tolerate, but wouldn"t buy one.

 

[4020_1966]

As some others said, drive em and decide what you like. I like Quad Range and Synchro personally. I have used them much more than Powershift. For my needs (small 20 acre farm, landscaping, clearing snow, hauling water(on cystern) etc) I went with Synchrorange 4020 as I knew it was simpler and easier to work on if it had problems. Not as convenient especially when you start to run out of power pulling a plow or want to slow down to corner at the end of the row but I felt it would give me longer life or at least be in my budget to repair. I grew up with a variety of 20 and 30 series Deeres and most were Synchro, some were Quad Range and used Powershifts (40, 50, and 55 series) of the neighbors on occasion. It really depends on your needs and tastes.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I bought a used 4430 tractor with power shift. When I worked it pretty hard the transmission would heat up. I put it in the shop where the transmission was overhauled at a cost of $5300. I have a synco range tractor as well. I prefer the powershift. Roy

 

[Anonymous-0]

Can you tow a powershift 15 miles to shop to fix broken motor.