[9060Aus]

Without being brand specific looking for the positives and negatives on both drive systems for SP sprayers?

 

[SWFarmService]

Pros for direct drive.
Simple.
Efficient.
Reliable.

Cons
Weight
Limited to 2wd and 2 wheel steering
Suspension limitations

Pros for hydro
Adaptable to tight steering
More suspension possibilities
Does not hinder ground clearance
Ease of use, responsive

Cons
Expensive initial costs and can be expensive to maintain

 

[litefoot]

hydro usually requires more fuel than mech. drive also.

then there are the gears in the mech drive, so to change speed, you need to shift or use throttle (no big deal in my mind, but with the hydro, the engine is always up and you just push/pull the hydro so it is easier)

 

[V876]

hydro usually requires more fuel than mech. drive also.

then there are the gears in the mech drive, so to change speed, you need to shift or use throttle (no big deal in my mind, but with the hydro, the engine is always up and you just push/pull the hydro so it is easier)

One other thing to consider is you are limited to certain brands with either drive system, which could be a factor depending on what options you may want,

 

[bent]

Hydraulic drive has an advantage with small, rough, ditched fields or anywhere else you would like to slow down while spraying. As the fields get long and flat where you can fix your speed and have to turn around infrequently the hydro advantage becomes small.

Does the mechanical have a gear for the speed you like to spray? How fast does the controller recover if you throttle down for a ditch?

 

[9060Aus]

They are Allison automatic transmission on some that I know off. The way a controller recovers would be the same on hydro and mechanical wouldn't it?

 

[litefoot]

They are Allison automatic transmission on some that I know off. The way a controller recovers would be the same on hydro and mechanical wouldn't it?

Well....kind of the same, but because of the decrease in engine rpm, the pump slows down also...sometimes that will make the rate controller not work so hard???? in summary.... Hydro unit ground speed increase, engine same rpm, rate controller increase flow. for mech drive, engine rpm increase as ground speed increase....what does rate controller do? depends on rate and speed, it might need to decrease flow???? cool huh!

 

[farmforlife]

Pros for direct drive.
Simple.
Efficient.
Reliable.

Cons
Weight
Limited to 2wd and 2 wheel steering
Suspension limitations

Pros for hydro
Adaptable to tight steering
More suspension possibilities
Does not hinder ground clearance
Ease of use, responsive

Cons
Expensive initial costs and can be expensive to maintain

Not exactly true my new holland 275r has front wheel assist and I doubt any hydro will turn tighter unless they have 4 wheel steer. Biggest advantage was it was about 100 grand cheaper that deere or case.

 

[9060Aus]

When people say hydros are expensive to maintain what is it that requires the maintenance?? Is it the wheel motors. At what age do they need major overhaul?

 

[trev]

A rebuild on 2 hydros and 4 wheel motors costs upto au$30k + labour. On a 4930. Not age related but had around 3500 eng hrs. Not sure what lifespan should be. Pays to check drive shaft fairly often.

 

[litefoot]

When people say hydros are expensive to maintain what is it that requires the maintenance?? Is it the wheel motors. At what age do they need major overhaul?

well, they aren't expensive to maintain, just change oil....but when they stop working is when the costs come in.

 

[lambear]

Mine needed 2 wheel motors at 2700 hrs.. $28000

 

[Spraysmart]

Depends what your spraying too. Generally a mechanical sprayer won't have the clearance that a hydraulic machine will.

 

[9060Aus]

What age would you budget on doing wheel motors and hydro up? How do you stop contamination if something in the system does fail??

 

[bent]

Hydros are a model specific issue and not a general issue. Sample oil every 1000 hours, change as necessary. Not every sprayer manufacturer uses the wheel motors to the wheel motor manufacturer's recommendations. As a result, some wheel motors are overworked and die quickly. Others are underworked and will last forever.

Environment matters as well. The original 4700 deere units would plow mud for 2 days before a wheel motor would die.

Most use Sauer Danfoss hydro pumps. They are nearly bulletproof if they don't eat a bunch of shrapnel.

 

[farmshop]

They say the hardest thing on hydros/drives is pounding down the road loaded slowing down quickly or if you spray fast and slow down fast. If you are easier on the stick they last longer