HST vs. Gear Trans

[cdaigle430]

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

Nice

 

[jlsmith]

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".

I prob has to do with location. Both the Bota and th JD house sell alot more gear tractors also. Pretty much a hay and ranch area here so that is prob the diff. :thumbsup:

 

[beppington]

I put probably 15-20 hours on my dad's Mahindra 4110 gear (synchro shuttle, you do have to use the clutch) tractor before buying my own. When I was shopping I decided I wanted a tractor that was basically a bigger version of my Craftsman HST lawn mower, which I've enjoyed since ~1993. So I test drove both JD's & Kubota's HSTs, thought both were great. Settled on a Kubota HST & love it. I still occassionally drive my dad's Mahindra, & it is fine, no problem at all, but I definitely enjoy my Kubota's HST better. It's just so effortless. Pretty cool to simply press a pedal & make a big, powerful thing GO.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I have lots of time on all three kinds of transmissions. For straight field work, the geared transmission is the hands down winner. For loader work, either an automatic shuttle transmission or HST is the clear winner.

I ran a Cat loader with an automatic shuttle transmission that was a working machine. It didn't shift gears. You set the gear you wanted and shuttled with the shuttle lever. It just had an oil bath clutch run by hydraulics. Clutch forward, machine moved forward, clutch backward the machine moved backward. The key was the oil bath clutch, which was an incredibly rugged unit.

For small tractor loader work, the weak link is the clutch, not the transmission. If you have a clutch that will stand heavy work and slipping, a standard transmission is just fine. Kubota's won't. HST transmissions don't use the clutch, so the clutch doesn't burn out.

 

[jgrreed]

I like my HST. It's easy to use, offers good, precise control at a wide range of RPM/Power, offers constant speed via the cruise control, and, so far at least, is robust enough for any work (field or loader) I've put it through, which is a fair bit.

-Jer.

 

[crazyal]

HST was a simple choice for me. For snow removal with a blower I don't know you would keep the RPM up and slow down for drifts or deeper snow. My Case BH has shuttle and it works great. I think it also looses something powerwise over gear like HST does but it's a much larger machine so power is less of an issue.

 

[/pine]

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

 

[RoyJackson]

HST was a simple choice for me. For snow removal with a blower I don't know you would keep the RPM up and slow down for drifts or deeper snow.

Depends on the gear transmission type...
The 4400 Deere has a synchonized reverser transmission. Since the gears are synchonized (but not the ranges), it's just a matter of downshifting.

I will admit I have no experience with snowblowers (although I love watching snow plowing and blower vids on Youtube!) since my drive isn't long enough to justify even a rear blower.

 

[_RaT_]

Not sure what HST transmission has that inherent design, Kubota's do not. With the engine off, the selector range in any range, you have considerable effort to overcome the the frictional forces in an HST. When you say you only have the brakes, if that were in fact true, that is still an overwhelming stopping ability option, better then any other really as far as the tractor is concerned especially when in 4WD. When the engine is running, HST is absolutely superb in bringing a tractor to a stop and with adjustable HST response time in the newer tractors, its only gotten more customizable. I cannot think of any design that does it better.

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

 

[dex3361]

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

I have shut my HST tractor off on the hill and never experienced the runaway tractor that you describe. My understanding is that if you do not set the brake and the tractor creeps forward far enough to pump the fluid out of the HST then it will freewheel. But I do not think it is immediate like if you missed a gear or if your foot slipped off of the clutch (both of which I have done with a geared tractor and it was scary and could have been tragic) I operate a HST on the hills and find that the HST is safer because you don't need the brakes while changing directions or when stopping.

 

[funwithahoe]

Had both - For a homeowner Hydro is better but if you have a 25 acre field you are going plow Gear is probably better as hydro are less efficient.

Don't get too caught up in it though - Enjoy whatever tractor you buy and good luck!!!

Send pics of your purchase!:thumbsup:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

When I do FEL work, my right hand stays on the FEL stick, my left hand stays on the steering wheel and my right foot stays on the HST pedal to determine whether to go forward or backward and how fast. For FEL work there isn't much choice, in my opinion.

 

[_RaT_]

For the most part I would completely agree.

Had both - For a homeowner Hydro is better but if you have a 25 acre field you are going plow Gear is probably better as hydro are less efficient.

Don't get too caught up in it though - Enjoy whatever tractor you buy and good luck!!!

Send pics of your purchase!:thumbsup:

 

[shooterm]

I've been working dairy farms since I was a knee high and now extensively into Heavy Equipment operating. After I switched up jobs this last year I got alot of tractor work on the weekends with the erosion crew Baling/Mulching what not. Anyways after running a HST for the first time this year I must say its made the AG tractor into a practical loader platform. My only beef I've had so far is the size of tractor this system is on. Is there any reason to why HST isnt used on larger HP platforms?

 

[robs660]

I have a hst and ant say enough good about it. Easy to run, smooth, and very convenient. I have had gear tractors before and will never go back. Love not having the clutch!

 

[wade simpson]

I've never driven a HST but, I love my gear tractor. I have never enjoyed automatic trucks, felt like I am disconnected from the road. I have driven a standard transmission for so long, I figure its second nature now. I found the gearing is so low that I'm almost stopped before I have to disengage the clutch.
I would probably care if I had to work 12 hrs a day on my machine but for 5 hrs it's fun and slows me down somewhat..which is not a bad thing somedays(smile).

 

[k0ua]

I operate a HST on the hills and find that the HST is safer because you don't need the brakes while changing directions or when stopping.

Exactly! much safer here, all I have is hills, only flat ground on the place is the lower driveway. Still don't need the brakes much here. unless stopped, then the hydro will creep very slowly if it is steep. But when you are mowing, and you need to go slow and precise, then hydro is much better than my old B7500DT gear rig. I always wished for a lower gear in the B7500 so I could keep the rpms up to run the cutter, and go slower for the darn hills! No problem for the L3400HST.. go as slow as you want one second and as fast as you want the next, all the while the cutter is singing along at the same rpm. Side benefit, wife can safely operate the L3400HST.:thumbsup:
James K0UA

 

[shooterm]

I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm used to loader declutches and I've never seen one on a tractor. With the HST I select rpms I'll need for the load and come forward at a adjusted speed with the HST.

 

[_RaT_]

I am sure the guys that wrote with sticks in the sand and never used papyrus and charcoal said much the same thing. :laughing:

I've never driven a HST but, I love my gear tractor. I have never enjoyed automatic trucks, felt like I am disconnected from the road. I have driven a standard transmission for so long, I figure its second nature now. I found the gearing is so low that I'm almost stopped before I have to disengage the clutch.
I would probably care if I had to work 12 hrs a day on my machine but for 5 hrs it's fun and slows me down somewhat..which is not a bad thing somedays(smile).

 

[Volfandt]

I got both and each has it's strengths.
For me HST wins out in finish mowing & loader work. The ability to constantly change speeds at minute increments effortlessly pushes this over the gear in these tasks.

The gear wins out towing, ground engagement and just crusing around.
I've got 2 identical sized small tractors, one HST and the other gear and the gear just puts more power to the ground than the HST does. And it does it at lower RPM too.
That additional power @ lower rpm makes a more pleasant experience especially when one only has to "set it & forget it" .

So, IMHO the better tranny is determined by the task at hand. Neither has a 100% better advantage over the other.

Now, does anyone want to comment on the new variable speed CVT found in the new Boomer 8N?

Dave