Shuttle transmissions

[Animal]

I am wanting to buy a new tractor to round bale hay and load round bales on a Semi truck, also would be doing row crop tillage. I do not farm a big acreage and have been getting along well with an M farmall J.D 50 and a R John Deere. The problem is last year I started on a blood presure medication and the summer heat is killing me... on to the question at hand, are those high dollar transmissions really worth the extra money they cost? After using hand clutches most my life I would think a mechanical shuttle would be like climbing into a caddy for me,with my small farm what would you all do?

 

[GRJ]

Depends upon how much money you have to spend. It's going to cost alot extra and if you can afford it,they are nice.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I would get one with the infinitively variable transmissions. They are very simple, efficient, and give you the clutchless forward and reverse that you want. I never wanted a newer tractor, but I sure would take one of these.

 

[farmer boy]

The basic shuttle transmissions are worth it. I would just get a basic sycnorized transmission with a shuttle. The powershifts are nice but not hardly worth the money and I really don't like the IVTs. Power shuttles are actually very handy as long as you have a good chutch. Going from an Allis without live pto and having to use a hand clutch just to bale to a Kubota with a shuttle and live pto is so nice and a cab with A/C would just about kill me

 

[RodinNS]

Yes, shuttle's are worth their weight in gold, particulairly when you're running a loader. The only thing better for loader work is a hydro.
With that in mind I think you'll be hard pressed to find much of anything built in the last 15 years that didn't have at least a mechanical shuttle and MANY would have a clutchless shuttle/power reverser...
I wouldn't hesitate on either.

Rod

 

[WantACaseLASomeday]

Can't answer your tractor question but I will urge you to go back to your doctor to try to find a better BP med. They all have some side effects but there are a jillion different ones and there ought to be one that doesn't get in the way of your life so much. Good luck and don't give up.

 

[R. John Johnson]

Depends on your financial situation. If you can afford something like that then go for it. If not there are plenty of cabbed tractors with AC. Most aren't too bad for loader work, just not as handy as one with a shuttle shift.

John

 

[Steven f/AZ]

I agree with a previous post recommending you discuss other treatment options with your doctor for your high blood pressure... maybe there is something out there without the side effect?

As for a shuttle transmission - our IH 544 has the mechanical shuttle, I wouldn't trade it for anything else with loader work. It is a very handy feature to have and on a newer tractor it will certainly increase the resale value. As a matter of fact, I would rather work with bales on the 544 w/shuttle than the JD 4450 with power shift - it's just quicker and simpler to change directions.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I read all the responses to your question and I agree with some but not all. #1 YES a shuttle shift is worth the money. from what you are used too, to a shuttle, you will wonder how you got along without it. #2 If you are doing close work with a loader you are going to use the clutch so a mechanical shuttle will work fine and is cheaper.