450 JD track loader manual versus HLR transmission

[percheron]

I am looking at buying a 450 JD track loader and would rather not buy any thing that a has a hydrostatic transmission been there done that with a international loader and that was a big mistake is the HLR tranny hydrostatic or is it some type of gear driven set up ? is the manaul more rugged or reliable than the HLR ?

[Lavoy]

HLR is a basically a two speed power shift. It is shifted hydraulically, but is a gear drive transmission.
I guess I don't really know which is more rugged, but the hassles of a synchromesh loader vs an HLR would make me pic the HLR almost regardless of reliability, although I doubt there is much difference.
Lavoy