HST vs. Gear Trans

[MMH]

I'm looking for a used Kubota. I prefere an HST, but to me a gear trans would not be a deal breaker. Couple of questions though:
- can most tractor transmissions be shifted on the go? For instance I'm looking at a 7100 and an almost new B2320.
- how much of a hassle is a gear trans for loader work & land clearing work?

As long as I can shift on the go I think that I would be OK. One downside is that the wife probably would not operate a gear trans (even though she can drive my manual trans diesel pickup), but then again, I'm not sure she would operate the tractor anyway.

 

[RoyJackson]

Gears aren't a hassle at all, but there is a bit of a learning curve to be efficient. Had 3 tractors in the last ten years, all have been gear machines.
Shifting on the fly does require a synchronized transmission.
Just remember, you don't shift these machines up through the gears (as in your truck). You select a gear appropriate for the task (which may mean top gear) and go from there.
Even my first tractor (a Deere 670), which had a nonsynchronized transmission, was quick when shifting between 1st or 2nd and reverse (primary gears used for loader work).

As far as the two Kubotas you're looking at....best the Kubota owners give you their opinions...

 

[chopped]

My wife can operate the manual car and also the tractor.My Ford is fully syncrognized.Even without as roy says a learnign curve. i had one that had no syncros. But i could double clutch or catch the RPMS at the right speed and shift it .
I prefere manuals for several reasons. One it not hydro fluid to change , and also more fuel efficient.

 

[jlsmith]

Im with Roy on that. All my tractors are gear mainly becuz i cant stand a hydo (jmho). Never had any trouble shifting when doing any type of work with it.:thumbsup:

 

[art]

Coming from the other side of ownership some people say they can drive standards but can only seem to do it while riding the clutch. We have seen them last less then 500 hours and even on new tractors having the side of the clutch petal rubber worn out telling us of their driving habits.

I cringe everytime I here a gear grind even when I make a mistake which does happen. For some that I heard I didn't think there was a clutch to begin with!

Over all, we do more work on gear drives then hydro's! That is not counting on the fluid changes costs as mentioned above but otherwise the fuel might be a leveler of the field.

For your cause, how long do you feel that you want to drive a tractor with armstrong power steering with a loader on it? I do hope you aren't a pencil pusher because it will get old FAST! We know your wife won't like the manual steering!

 

[TripleR]

If you have an unlimited amount of time use the "Search" feature and this has been discussed at length for years with no real solution. I have both HST and geared units. Overall the HST is much easier for the new user as well as some experienced operators. My wife can and did drive a geared car for many years, but will not use a geared tractor other than to move it from one place to the other while she is quite comfortable operating our HST L5030 HSTC. With her on the 5030 and me on the M8540, we have fifteen feet of mowing going on with very precise control in corners etc. Both have their place.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I'm looking for a used Kubota. I prefere an HST, but to me a gear trans would not be a deal breaker. Couple of questions though:
- can most tractor transmissions be shifted on the go? For instance I'm looking at a 7100 and an almost new B2320.
- how much of a hassle is a gear trans for loader work & land clearing work?

As long as I can shift on the go I think that I would be OK. One downside is that the wife probably would not operate a gear trans (even though she can drive my manual trans diesel pickup), but then again, I'm not sure she would operate the tractor anyway.

Neither of the tractors you are looking at have a synchronized trans, you have to stop to shift (gear to gear, ranges, and forward to reverse.) With that being said it shouldn't be much of a problem on a tractor this size for general tractor work. Loader work is a different story. If you don't have a lot of loader work to do then the gear trans wouldn't be that bad. If you plan on spending more than a couple hours a week doing loader work then I would look at a hydrostatic model.

 

[Thomas]

If B7100 HST good chance you'll use low range while working fel,also going up slopes w/bucket loaded,but HST very helpful when using fel loader..no clutching just feather the pedal etc.etc.

Over the years had both,but I sure do like my HST more so the older I get.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I went from non-synchronized transmission to HST, and never plan to go back. Philip.

 

[Duffster]

GEAR vs. HST.

Round 189. :laughing: