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:

 

[k0ua]

"Gear" we go again. on 4th tractor, 2 gear, 2 hydro. Current tractor is hydro. I do a lot of loader work, and hydro is best, no question. Gear is ok for mowing/plowing. Your left leg will never get those muscles built up with hydro.:laughing: Now for every guy like me that thinks hydro is best is a guy that thinks gear is best. But if they have ever worked up next to a building or tried to do precision loader work, they would think hydro was best too.
Get which ever one that "floats your boat"
James K0UA

 

[Storm56]

Hydros certainly have their place and a strong following here. For me, give me a synchromesh shuttle and I am happy, make it a powershift sync-shuttle and I am in heaven!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

"Gear" we go again. on 4th tractor, 2 gear, 2 hydro. Current tractor is hydro. I do a lot of loader work, and hydro is best, no question. Gear is ok for mowing/plowing. Your left leg will never get those muscles built up with hydro.:laughing: Now for every guy like me that thinks hydro is best is a guy that thinks gear is best. But if they have ever worked up next to a building or tried to do precision loader work, they would think hydro was best too.
Get which ever one that "floats your boat"
James K0UA

Nope, not so. Every time this comes up every two or three months, the hydro is picked as the preferred transmission for other than straight forward motion. I've bought eleven and all have been hydro.
I believe any tractor dealer can give you the stastics of how many people buy a hydro versus how many buy a gear and I believe the hydro will be over 80% sold versus 20% or less gear and a lot of those geared ones are sold to the person hunting a cheaper price and not really a preference issue. I believe the sales figures is where the proof is.

 

[PILOON]

Well I have a gear (non syncro) and do lots of loader work.
Don't bother me at all.
However I would like PS and am planning to install one. (have all parts now= next project)

 

[Agrantina]

My two cents-I have the GST model and like it--but after using geared tractors a lot I can see the want in the HST and with a FEL i really see the GOOD in an HST. I cut and disk and rotary till mostly and dont have a FEL so for the money I got the GST. YES i got it at a deal cuz it sat there and folks including me walked past it looking at the HST.. But the money difference turned my head and I bought it. Actually the GST and DT has a few more HP at the PTO than the HST So look at what you need it for and buy what you will use 80% of the time... I did-- Kinda like Ford Chevy-- Remmington or Winchester- eveyones got there own thoughts. By the way I own a Chevy:confused2:

AndyG

 

[jlsmith]

Nope, not so. Every time this comes up every two or three months, the hydro is picked as the preferred transmission for other than straight forward motion. I've bought eleven and all have been hydro.
I believe any tractor dealer can give you the stastics of how many people buy a hydro versus how many buy a gear and I believe the hydro will be over 80% sold versus 20% or less gear and a lot of those geared ones are sold to the person hunting a cheaper price and not really a preference issue. I believe the sales figures is where the proof is.

Sorry but I have to disagree. I'm a dealer and over the last 5 years I've only sold about 10 hst the rest were all gear and yea I've sold a lot of scut and cut tractors. But it is ones prefrence. I myself do not like the hst but that's just me.

 

[_RaT_]

GEAR vs. HST.

Round 189. :laughing:

Try 21,890:laughing:

 

[BigD23]

I'm deff a HST fan.

Don

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

"Gear" we go again. on 4th tractor, 2 gear, 2 hydro. Current tractor is hydro. I do a lot of loader work, and hydro is best, no question. Gear is ok for mowing/plowing. Your left leg will never get those muscles built up with hydro.:laughing: Now for every guy like me that thinks hydro is best is a guy that thinks gear is best. But if they have ever worked up next to a building or tried to do precision loader work, they would think hydro was best too.
Get which ever one that "floats your boat"
James K0UA

Nope, not so. Every time this comes up every two or three months, the hydro is picked as the preferred transmission for other than straight forward motion. I've bought eleven and all have been hydro.
I believe any tractor dealer can give you the stastics of how many people buy a hydro versus how many buy a gear and I believe the hydro will be over 80% sold versus 20% or less gear and a lot of those geared ones are sold to the person hunting a cheaper price and not really a preference issue. I believe the sales figures is where the proof is.

Sorry but I have to disagree. I'm a dealer and over the last 5 years I've only sold about 10 hst the rest were all gear and yea I've sold a lot of scut and cut tractors. But it is ones prefrence. I myself do not like the hst but that's just me.

Do you think it may be Massey Ferguson buyers buy geared tractors and Kubota buyers buy HST? Or could it be a Texas thing? I believe Kubota dealers will back up my figures. If I were a Dealer, I'd also sell more of what I prefer. I would have such a sense of conviction that what I prefer is the best choice that I believe I could always convince that undecided customer to go "my way".

 

[Ken45101]

I have both.

One issue with a geared transmission for loader work is that the loader operates slowly at idle. You have to rev the engine to load or dump (or be very patient), while holding the clutch in. Also, steering is harder at low rpms.

I do feel that the HST robs power from the smaller units.

Also for mowing, with a geared transmission, you have to slow down the engine (and pto rpms) for close maneuvering. Straight out in the field, it doesn't make a difference.

Ken
HST: B21 TLB, B2710, JD skid steer
geared: M5040 with loader, M9540