ZackaryMac
Silver Member
I realize the HST vs manual subject is a hotly debated subject here, and likely for good reason. Since Kubota are such great machines, there has to be SOMETHING to debate! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As a mechanic for 20 years, I can honestly say I have zero experience with HST, until I bought my B1600 3 weeks ago, and I love it for mowing. Of course I am inquisitive about it, so today I had a chance to question a hydraulics mechanic about the hydrostatic pumps sitting in the back of his truck. He works on lots of equipment that uses it - dozers, excavators, processors, etc. He tells me most gear today uses hydroststic with very little problems. Clean fluid is the key, and so is keeping it cool. While none of this is new, I was interested to hear that he says there is lots of equipment he works on with many hours on them, and there is one HST system with 21000 hours on it with 100% reliability. No failures, and worked hard. Only maintenance was done to this unit. Of course this isn't the same unit on the Kubota, but it was confidence-inspiring to hear that HST units can go a long time, worked hard, with no problems.
You'll notice this post stays neutral about which is better, though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'm not looking to "flare the fire", so to speak. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
As a mechanic for 20 years, I can honestly say I have zero experience with HST, until I bought my B1600 3 weeks ago, and I love it for mowing. Of course I am inquisitive about it, so today I had a chance to question a hydraulics mechanic about the hydrostatic pumps sitting in the back of his truck. He works on lots of equipment that uses it - dozers, excavators, processors, etc. He tells me most gear today uses hydroststic with very little problems. Clean fluid is the key, and so is keeping it cool. While none of this is new, I was interested to hear that he says there is lots of equipment he works on with many hours on them, and there is one HST system with 21000 hours on it with 100% reliability. No failures, and worked hard. Only maintenance was done to this unit. Of course this isn't the same unit on the Kubota, but it was confidence-inspiring to hear that HST units can go a long time, worked hard, with no problems.
You'll notice this post stays neutral about which is better, though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'm not looking to "flare the fire", so to speak. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif