Does anybody REALLY dislike HST?

[DK35vince]

planning to use a snowblower in big storms ...get a hydro or learn how to change the clutch

Most newer gear tractors have 8 to 12 reverse gears. Learn to use the right gear.

 

[dex3361]

I have had both types of trans. I have to say this because nobody else has. The HST is much safer IMHO operating on hills. When you are going up or down hills you don't even have to hit the brakes you can mow up to the top and just roll back on the pedal and start back. I know the best way is to mow to the top and turn around and go back down but where I mow and use the tractor its not possible. If you let up on the HST pedal it just stops(may creep a very little). The infinitely variable speeds is valuable when mowing and tilling or when doing close quarters work. Each type has its place and neither is inferior just better suited for a different situations.

 

[JCB]

I like my 790 reasonably well and enjoy gears. But I "really dislike", hate, despise that sliding gear transmission. Grind, grind, grind. I've written about it on TBN. Grind, grind, grind. Can't wait to sell it. Grind, grind, grind. Yes, I really really really dislike it! Grind, grind, grind. Oh why didn't I get an 870? Grind, grind, grind.

KLN,

Your sliding gears really resemble the JD 3020, 4020 collar shift description, and they are exactly as you described.

 

[RoyJackson]

I like my 790 reasonably well and enjoy gears. But I "really dislike", hate, despise that sliding gear transmission. Grind, grind, grind. I've written about it on TBN. Grind, grind, grind. Can't wait to sell it. Grind, grind, grind. Yes, I really really really dislike it! Grind, grind, grind. Oh why didn't I get an 870? Grind, grind, grind.

Got to learn to slow down and doubleclutch, Bro...
I guess the question should be, you had to know a 790 was a collarshift when you bought it...so why'd you buy it?

I'm pretty good at going from 1st or 2nd to reverse without stopping (entirely), but it does take practice and patience. Did a pretty good job with loader work.

 

[BeeferMan]

Don't mind the gears, and I have to say I've got a lot more hours on gears than on HST. I got quite a few hours on a friends Kubota doing some work around my house and as someone above mentioned, I got no use at all for that treadle - I don't think I could spend enough hours on it to like that. But the tranny seemed strong and responsive enough...

 

[JDGreenGrass]

planning to use a snowblower in big storms ...get a hydro or learn how to change the clutch

Explain, please.??

 

[radman1]

Explain, please.??

In big snows with drifts, I have to just creep through big drifts with my 60" blower. A gear drive just couldn't go slow enough. I have enough pto power, but there is just too much snow for the blower to handle.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

In big snows with drifts, I have to just creep through big drifts with my 60" blower. A gear drive just couldn't go slow enough. I have enough pto power, but there is just too much snow for the blower to handle.

Not even in low range.??

 

[MMagis]

In big snows with drifts, I have to just creep through big drifts with my 60" blower. A gear drive just couldn't go slow enough. I have enough pto power, but there is just too much snow for the blower to handle.

My gear tractor has been used to creep through heavy snow for 30+ years, still has the same clutch. Why do so many HST guys refuse to accept the fact that HST isn't perfect for every situation? I don't think many even have gear tractor experience, they just assume. I love HST for mowing my yard, but I would very much dislike it on the farm tractor. They make both for a reason, and people buy both for a reason.

 

[beppington]

Maybe they think we're talkin' about Heat Shrink Tubing. Cuz that stuff is awesome.

Either that or the Hubble Space Telescope. That's probably pretty awesome, too.

 

[RoyJackson]

In big snows with drifts, I have to just creep through big drifts with my 60" blower. A gear drive just couldn't go slow enough. I have enough pto power, but there is just too much snow for the blower to handle.

Which gear drive tractor are you referring to?

 

[radman1]

Not even in low range.??

I had drifts 4-5' this past winter. Sometimes just barely moving. Sometimes need to stop completely just to give it time to eat the snow. Occassionally, had to drive forward, let the snow fall down and back into it again. Gear drive would be too fast-even in low gear.

 

[RoyJackson]

I had drifts 4-5' this past winter. Sometimes just barely moving. Sometimes need to stop completely just to give it time to eat the snow. Occassionally, had to drive forward, let the snow fall down and back into it again. Gear drive would be too fast-even in low gear.

I'll ask again...what gear drive tractor are you referring to?

 

[ModMech]

I've read the pro's & cons of an HST vs gear.

Just wondering if anybody really hates HST's?

Or maybe you have a particular task & your HST is just flat-out the wrong transmission for the job?

I have roughly 13 acres of bush hog type mowing, probably a few times a year, & then up to about a mile of "trails" through some hardwoods I'll bush hog occassionally. This is new property, so I'm not precisely sure how it's gonna go, but those are my educated guesses. I could see the whole thing eventually evolving to more use of a finish mower.

Thank you!

Do I "really hates HSTs", no, but intensely dislike? Yes. They are GOOD (maybe even awesome) for what they are good for and NO GOOD for that which they are not good for - ground engaging work.

 

[jenkinsph]

Do I "really hates HSTs", no, but intensely dislike? Yes. They are GOOD (maybe even awesome) for what they are good for and NO GOOD for that which they are not good for - ground engaging work.

I agree that for large acreages a gear tractor is more efficient to operate for ground engaging work, I don't think there is any question about that.

For tight quarters work that still requires large amounts of tractive force, such as using a Gannon boxblade between buildings the hydro is a good choice, I haven't had any problems or shortcomings with heavy draft loads. I wonder how many peoples opinions are based on early hydros' and don't realize the newer stuff is greatly improved in several ways.

 

[RobertN]

They are awful. That is why I got another tractor with HST.

 

[missourithunder]

jenkinsph wrote - "I wonder how many peoples opinions are based on early hydros' and don't realize the newer stuff is greatly improved in several ways."

Well said.


RobertN wrote - "They are awful. That is why I got another tractor with HST."

Even better said.

MT

 

[jenkinsph]

My gear tractor has been used to creep through heavy snow for 30+ years, still has the same clutch. Why do so many HST guys refuse to accept the fact that HST isn't perfect for every situation? I don't think many even have gear tractor experience, they just assume. I love HST for mowing my yard, but I would very much dislike it on the farm tractor. They make both for a reason, and people buy both for a reason.

I think there are a lot of people defending what they have.:laughing: Having both types they all have pro's and con's. Like most of the people here I have had to make do with what I had available, most of my time using tractors had been with gear tractors. But, I am not going to try and kid myself or others about it either, the new hydro tractors such as my 110tlb and 4520 are alot easier to operate in close quarters. I think you need to spend some time with all of the newer hydros, power reversers to be informed.

 

[pat32rf]

Been slippin clutches and movin gear handles for about 50yrs now. Ten years back I bought a used little Bota HST. Loved it, but it was too small so traded for a JD4300HST. Never gave the treadle much thought but I do miss the clutch on the Bota two speed PTO.


Just finished using the FEL to break the bead on an aluminium rim, after trying for an hour with my cheapo tire machine. Did it all while standing beside the tractor (no seat switch anymore)and placing hand on the joystick or F pedal as required. Wouldn't have dared to try it by slipping a clutch.....

 

[RalphVa]

Can't imagine NOT getting an HST tractor.

Drove geared tractors up until I was 14 years old when we moved off the farm. Recently used a neighbor's 70ish year JD with gears. Those, plus the extremely slow manual steering were a very pain. We only drive stick shift cars and pickup. Wouldn't have anything else. HST is NOT an automatic transmission. It's a very sturdy hydraulic system.

Ralph