Tractor Transmission Types Explained

When you’re looking to buy a tractor, you are likely comparing all the options to see which will be the best fit for you and your operation. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is the type of transmission you want. You may be thinking, “Why does it matter what type of transmission it has?” or “What transmission options are available in tractors?” In this article, we will break down three transmission types John Deere offers and the types of tasks each transmission is best suited for.

eHydroTM

John Deere’s eHydro transmission is the most popular transmission type for compact tractors. One of the main reasons people gravitate towards this transmission option is because it doesn’t require any clutching because the gears and axles are powered by hydraulic fluid. Tractors with hydrostatic transmissions function very similarly to cars. John Deere’s tractors with eHydroTM transmissions feature Twin TouchTM foot controls for controlling both speed and direction. There is one pedal for going forward and one for going in reverse. 

Gear

The most basic transmission option available on John Deere tractors is the gear drive transmission.  These transmissions are generally more affordable than other options. They also generally provide the greatest PTO power compared to tractors with the same engine horsepower but different transmission. Gear drive transmissions are quite a bit different from hydrostatic transmissions. They lock in one speed and require clutching if you want to shift to a higher or lower gear.

PowrReverserTM

John Deere’s PowrReverser transmission is a more refined version of gear drive transmissions. This transmission allows for clutch-less shifting between forward and reverse. These transmissions are great for applications where the operator will be frequently changing directions. They also let the operator shift between speeds in a gear without having to manually engage the clutch. Tractors with these transmissions are generally priced higher than tractors with different transmissions.

To learn more about John Deere’s transmission options, come by Prairie State Tractor. If you want to get a feel for how each of the transmissions operates, let us know and we can let you test drive a few of our machines.

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