HST clutch purpose

[TripleR]

Neither my FWD nor my HST range selection is easier with or without using the clutch, so most of the time I don't even use it. I have used it to allow my bush hog to spool up, but have also used my PTO lever to feather it in.

 

[bstrom]

Huh - my B2620 will grind if I don't use the clutch to change between L,M,H ratios. The manual says to use it for shifting between 2 and 4 wheel drive but it doesn't seem to do anything there. I don't use my PTO yet, I need some money to buy a chipper.

 

[SmallTimeCountry]

I would certainly have to agree with KUBIE TWO and Diez Nutz. I have been raised on a gear driven tractor my entire life. So, switching over to an HST is quite the change and tough to get used to. I'm sure lack of experience has a lot to do with it. And maybe tractor time will make the transitions smoother. However, the times that I was talking about with the tractor wanting to tip, with or without a load in the bucket, is when I had a 60" LandPride mower hooked up to the rear and stopping like I did, you only do once. I have enough experience to know not to drive around with a high loaded bucket. The problem is the second that you begin to take your foot off the HST peddle, it will stop on a dime. With these HSTs, they are really hard to feather from forward to reverse because the **** peddle is huge. Unless you have a foot like Shaq, it's tough to rock your foot back and forth.

Kubie and Diez if I got this right, your saying that the only time a clutch should be used with an HST is when engaging the PTO or shifting from L-M-H gears?

 

[DiezNutz]

And maybe tractor time will make the transitions smoother ... The problem is the second that you begin to take your foot off the HST peddle, it will stop on a dime. With these HSTs, they are really hard to feather from forward to reverse because the **** peddle is huge. Unless you have a foot like Shaq, it's tough to rock your foot back and forth.

As you suspect, all you need is more time/practice with it - it will become second nature. Just like the first time you learned to drive a clutch, you had to learn to let it out just as smooth as you pushed it in, so will you learn to smoothly transition the HST pedal from F or R back to neutral.
Even though the pedal is larger than (most) boots, you should be able to find one spot that allows you to keep your foot in the same place, but while you're getting used to it, you find find it easier to slide your foot forward to go forward, and backward to go backward.
The idea is to try to keep your foot on the pedal at all times, you shouldn't ever just "take it off" while moving.

Kubie and Diez if I got this right, your saying that the only time a clutch should be used with an HST is when engaging the PTO or shifting from L-M-H gears?

I would word it like this:

With your live PTO, the only time your clutch needs to be used is to engage/disengage the PTO.

You may choose to use the clutch to shift L-M-H range if it makes it easier/smoothier to do so, though it shouldn't be necessary if the HST pedal is in the neutral position. (in the case of HST's without a clutch, this is how it has to be done). No harm in that, though if you're on a hill you may want to cover the brakes with your right foot because you will freewheel.

 

[k0ua]

My Kubota L3400 is as smooth as silk transitioning from forward to reverse, I do it very rapidly when smoothing out the gravel with my loader. You have to learn to put your foot flat on the treadle and rock back and forth, You will not have the range of motion that you would have if you put you toe or heel on the parts of the treadle that jut out to the right from the treadle, but you don't need it for fast back and forth movement. I put my toe on the extended treadle part when I am wanting to move fast so that I can easily stomp the pedal all the way to the stopper bolt. The first day with a Hydo Tractor I put the pedal all the way down and then took my foot off of it, and learned real fast that was like stomping on the brakes!. just learn to feather it. This is the beauty of a Hydro-stat is to make rapid back and forth movements without thinking about them. The Loader controls and the hydro control become totally automatic, the primary task is watching what you are doing with the work, and where the tractor is positioned, so you don't hit anything. All of that doesn't come the first day. I put my wife on the L3400 about a week ago, and let her play in the gravel pile, Of course she is a beginner, and made all of the beginner mistakes, But with some time she will make a good OP. The only times I use the clutch is to start the tractor, engage the PTO and shift ranges.
James
K0UA

 

[ccsial]

The only times I use the clutch is to start the tractor, engage the PTO and shift ranges.
James
K0UA

Don't need the clutch to shift ranges. Just be sure to stop. My L3400 manual says that if the range lever won't shift, press the HST pedal slightly while engaging. Can't do that with the clutch in.

If the tractor is stopped the gears are too. If it won't shift the gears are tooth to tooth. Pressing the HST pedal moves the gears a bit to an engagement point.

 

[KubieTwo]

The problem is the second that you begin to take your foot off the HST peddle, it will stop on a dime. With these HSTs, they are really hard to feather from forward to reverse because the **** peddle is huge. Unless you have a foot like Shaq, it's tough to rock your foot back and forth.

Kubie and Diez if I got this right, your saying that the only time a clutch should be used with an HST is when engaging the PTO or shifting from L-M-H gears?

I wear a size 12 boot, so spanning forward/rev is not a problem and I can rock my foot easily. I think a size 10 is about the minimum requirement to easily span, as supported when my brother uses the tractor. Neither of us has a problem smoothly changing direction. My wife has a smaller foot and has a little more difficulty, but has learned to do so pretty well.

It is indeed a learned skill. I am sure you have read complaints about the RTV "abrupt stops", but my wife and my 9 year old grand daughter drive the unmodified RTV1100 with absolutely no difficulty in smoothly slowing, stopping, or changing ranges. Yes, one could get thrown into the windshield by immediately taking your foot completely off the throttle, but you could do the same by stomping the brake in your car/truck, and you probably don't. ...a practiced, learned skill.

As far as when I use the clutch, it is to start the tractor, to engage the PTO and sometimes to change ranges. The old B only has two ranges and doesn't always cooperate in range change without the clutch. Because it only has two ranges, I use it in H as much as possible and often already have it under a load when H proves not quite up to the task, so it is easier and faster to dump the clutch and change. Most other times, when I know I need L or H prior to having its ears pulled back (LOL) I can shift without the clutch. I can make any other move with forward/reverse pedal...and move millimeters if I chose to do so. (I also brake steer using my left foot ...size 12 boot.)

I hope that helps with your questions.

 

[k0ua]

Don't need the clutch to shift ranges. Just be sure to stop. My L3400 manual says that if the range lever won't shift, press the HST pedal slightly while engaging. Can't do that with the clutch in.

If the tractor is stopped the gears are too. If it won't shift the gears are tooth to tooth. Pressing the HST pedal moves the gears a bit to an engagement point.

good info, thanks, one less reason too use the clutch:laughing:
James K0UA

 

[fredhargis]

Huh - my B2620 will grind if I don't use the clutch to change between L,M,H ratios. The manual says to use it for shifting between 2 and 4 wheel drive but it doesn't seem to do anything there. I don't use my PTO yet, I need some money to buy a chipper.

Same with my B2920, the manual says to use the clutch for the PTO, range change, and moving into 4 WD. After reading this thread I had to go check to make sure I had remembered it correctly.

 

[SmallTimeCountry]

Diez and Kubie-

Excellent advice and I truly appreciate the information. It's been raining out here consistantly for the last few days but as soon as the sun comes back out, I will give all your advice a shot. Thanks again.