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Oklahoma | That is a very good point, but many things can be done to achieve the efficiencies necessary to push out the mechanical drive. The advantage of an IVT or CVT over a mechanical drive is the ability to match engine load with power needs without grinding gears or pulsing loads onto the engine. The advantage of an IVT over a CVT is it's ability to reduce speed without restriction. A CVT is usually much more simple and less expensive than an IVT, but insofar as efficiencies, it is more a game of how you set them up. The CVT belt systems I have seen perform get about a max 85% througput, whereas I have personally seen 82% off a hydrostatic IVT (a so-so hydrostat will give you at least 75%, but I have heard of Italian setups capable of 92%), and have seen a concept for a fully mechanical cam-based IVT that, though extemely complicated, would achieve the 98% level we see in gear meshes.
You're right, many concepts do exist (I've also saw a neat "impact/vibratory" style for a go cart), but I was simply trying to explain to the previous poster how one works.
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IVT fuel consumption -- Nebraska tractor tests
