John Deere Transmissions which is the best?-- Syncro Range vs Powershift vs Quad Range

comparing the #johndeere #syncro #powershift #quadrange

[@allgreendeeres]

I farm and hay with 13 John Deeres 11 of then are powersifts. In the many thousands of hours I have compiled on these units, we have only had to overhaul one power shift. Turns out it was bad when I bought it. We have 20, 30, 40, 50, 55 and 60 series Deeres. Many with 10k plus hours and still no trouble with the powershifts. They are amazing transmitions.

[@machineryd2765]

@@allgreendeeres yes they are amazing and can last a long time. Would like to have a 15 speed I think that would be a nice transmission. Thanks for watching

[@lynnanderson2683]

Had an uncle that was a JD mechanic in ND, dealer sold one of the first 4020 power shift to a local dairy farm that was very hard on equipment. He told me that they broke 3 or 4 front ends and the frame twice, had to rebuild engine twice but never could damage transmission

[@machineryd2765]

@@lynnanderson2683 yep they are very durable biggest thing I would say is keeping up with the maintenance. Thanks for watching

[@farmerbill6855]

Hard to believe this is a question. Powershift is the best transmission across ALL tractors ever made. Nearly bulletproof.

[@machineryd2765]

@@farmerbill6855 I agree that powershift in most situations are the best. The only area that powershift suffers vs quad range is gear selection. When I do pto work baling mowing etc I can't adjust speed via engine rpm and the quad is nice to have 16 fwd gears to pick from. Although the 8 speeds in the powershift are a lot easier to utilize. Thanks for watching

[@ramshackleshack751]

If you had 3-4 on the bottom and the forward/ reverse were synchronized that would be a great loader transmission

[@machineryd2765]

That's exactly right. People have put a syncro shift cam in which swaps 3-4 and 1-2 positions and installed 4520 reverse gear which is synchronized. If I ever had to go deep into the transmission I'd probably do that. Great comment thanks for watching

[@greggergen9104]

Grew up with a 4010. I could swear that I could go from one range to another without stopping. For example if I was hauling manure I could go from 4th to 7th to 8th, which would mean I could go to the left and move down.

[@machineryd2765]

@@greggergen9104 yes it is possible to shift ranges while moving but not recommended because the range shifts are not synchronized and can cause damage to the bottom shaft. Appreciate you watching thanks for the comment.

[@greggergen9104]

@@machineryd2765 We must have had the "Super 4010." We had it for 40 years, it was our main tractor for 300, acres, including raising 500 cattle, with 7 boys driving it, over a 40 year period, starting with the first of the 7 boys who was 11 in 1961 to the last who was 22 in 1991. And neither me nor my brother babied the 4010 and it went well beyond 10,000 hours. I know we did a couple of engine rebuilds, but as far as I know no transmission issues.

[@machineryd2765]

@@greggergen9104 they're amazing tractors. Don't think many new tractors will be working in 60 years. Some people had problems from range shifting on the move but who knows how many people like yourself did it for years without issue.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

As far as reliability both of them are fantastic. For cost of rebuild a majority of Synchro problems are going to be the top shaft which isn't that terribly expensive 5 grand can go a long ways. Power shifts most of the time you're only going into the front clutch pack which is just a clutch housing split a couple Grand and you've got your C1 C2 and PTO clutch pack and transmission pump rebuild If you have to go into the planetary pack of the power shift it can start to get expensive but most of the time it's really not that terrible because it's a broken seal and a couple clutch discs. Very rarely have we had to go in because of planetary failure On the Synchro transmission if you have a problem with the ranges on the bottom shaft that is where it gets a little more pricey even if you use used gears to help keep the parts built down the bottom shaft is just a lot of Labor because you are going to pull the axles you're going to pull the three-point you're going to pull the differential. So you have a lot of Labor and then if you put new bearings in there it really adds up the labor

[@machineryd2765]

Thanks Jon I watch your channel alot Both for soil health and tractor mechanic work. Good content

[@BrettNoecker1]

I used to take A to B to C or D in motion. Not ideal, but it works.

[@machineryd2765]

@@BrettNoecker1 yeah it can be shifted but being unsyncronized can be pretty hard on the lower shaft. Thanks for watching

[@bl688]

Had a 4430 with quad range, I always called it "slap and tap"

[@machineryd2765]

@@bl688 yep pretty accurate description

[@bradkaberline5828]

You look at the nose of a old Oliver 4x4 it was or was rebuilt of the jd and international features took weight on the front like a pull truck heavy iron grill and extra front weights but the trim work off the farmall look and the slant nose from the deere tractors built for pulling scrape boxes rollers heaver like a caterpillar

[@sornbergerfarms]

We have had them all and each one has their place, If the quad would have had the higher gears closer to reverse it would have been alot better, its probably my least favorite though. 8 speed PS shift is still my favorite, syncro on a loader is perfect for fwd to rev speed.

[@machineryd2765]

Yep pretty much how I see it. The only advantage the quad has is 16 gears but the way they set it up with fast reverse below the slow forward is terrible. I sometimes like it baling because the 1/2 gear shift is just right and a 8speed power shift I wouldn't be able to find the speed I want but besides that it gets on my nerves. Would love to have a 50 or 55 series with a 15 speed PS but they are a little out of the budget. I appreciate the comment thanks for watching.

[@bobburke9840]

Thanks for the video. Which transmission do you prefer for longevity

[@machineryd2765]

Hey Bob, they all CAN last 20,000 hours or more if taken care of. But the powershift is expensive if the day ever does come that it needs rebuild. As far as the syncro vs Quad Range the syncro still has a dry clutch so usually doesn't last as long. And the Quad has a 2 speed bump shift which are pretty reliable but can go out. If I were rating them only from a reliability and cost of repair standpoint it would be 1. Syncro 2. Quad Range ( very close 2nd ) 3. Powershift. Thanks for watching 👍

[@tangydiesel1886]

If powershift isn't your flavor, the syncro does make a nice loader trans. Seems like the gears are better organized, like you said. My favorite from the soundguard era is the 24-speed powersync. Lot of options, mild reverse speeds.

[@joescheller6680]

Only disadvsntsge of syncro range iy was hard on thr clutch if yoir doing loader work.

[@machineryd2765]

@@joescheller6680 yes I agree the wet perma clutch would be better for loader work. Thanks for watching.

[@Shadowsoul2701]

One thing that I don't think you mentioned for the synchro range is the lack of a 1st or 2nd reverse, which makes backing up to attachments and being precise kind of a pain unless you rest your foot on the brake and feather the clutch. I got our 3020 running and immediately noticed that there really is no way to easily back up super slowly.

[@machineryd2765]

@@Shadowsoul2701 yep the reverse speeds would be about the same as 3rd and 5th. Definitely could be slower. Thanks for watching