Poll: Your satisfaction with your HST transmission

[dawoodwa]

I rate my L5030 a "10", and for those gear enthusiasts, I wouldn't buy a large tractor again unless it had a CVT transmission. Being able to control the speed harvesting peanuts, baling hay, or cutting siliage with variable transmission makes me want to throw rocks at the quad range or powershifts that I grew up with.

 

[DavidVT]

At 600hrs my 3430HST has served me well. It's main job has been clearing snow.

I give it a 9. .5 off for the split brakes vs HST pedal issue .5 off for how this tractor deals with high range vs driving up a moderate grade... STALL (if I let it).

I have had some mild rear end vibration after hours of plowing snow with frequent FEL operations and have never resolved if it is the transmission or the differential. It usually occurs when I need a break so I have made it my time in the seat timer. It has never gotten any worse nor shown up after hours of mowing brush in the summer.

I had my HST pedal get hung on a chunk of ice. Sure makes you appreciate the seat safety switch when you are too over tired to simply remember to turn the key off or push in the clutch....

I would love more power but with the horses gone it is hard to justify even this sized tractor but for the white stuff...

 

[jdp]

The answer is clear, nobody who has HST would go back to the alternatives. Buying a compact without it is being penny wise and pound foolish, not to mention, probably will require less expense in the long run, with no clutch to wear out. Rate a 10

 

[Wayne's Train]

I'd rate it a 9.9. I've got a 2008 BX24 with about 550 hours. Most of that as a trackless train engine. I pull three coaches with up to ten people in each (about 1300 lbs each) up and down paved street hills as well as flat ground. Nice and smooth departures and stops. The mmm mower works great with the HST. When I get to tough grass or elevation changes, I can slow down and raise/lower the mower deck easily. My other engine is a Sears Garden Tractor GT5000. Will not stop this train going down hill. With the HST, you just let off the go pedal and it stops. I never use the brake except for parking.

 

[Lawnranger]

I agree on a 9/10 for the HST. As it has been said before nothing is perfect for every chore, but the HST comes closest to anything I have driven. I wish I planned for more HP when I bought mine, but I wouldn't trade it now. 450 hours and going strong.

 

[alanduq]

Have a Kubota 8700 I like the idea and give it a 5 because of the quality and implementation. Mine is currently fubar. No neutral. It is always going in reverse or forward. I need to shift to neutral to regain the control when stopped. Used to stop and hold position when not pushing pedal. Don't even get me started on the rest of this machines quality and design from this manufacturer.

 

[oldnslo]

For loader work I would give the HST a 9.5 - 10 but for mowing lawn I still prefer the gear drive with variable speed on my old JD 112. Reason being is I don't have to have my foot on the go pedal all the time. Plowing snow other than the amount the BX will push Vs the 112 they are both acceptable for me.

Roy

 

[Kiwi06]

I too have to give the HST a 9 - not perfect, but definitely the best setup for my usage. It's a definite plus for getting others (wife, kid, neighbors) to do my work for me. :thumbsup:

Winter work is primarily snow removal - both with loader and rear blade. Rest of the year is mostly a mix of loader work, mowing and "light" harrowing.

 

[weatherman]

We bought our L3130 6 1/2 years ago and use it mainly for snow blowing, though did some heavy loader work with it a couple years ago. After 118 hours, I'm still loving it, and I'll give the HST a 9.5 rating.

John

 

[KubB2700]

1998 Kubota B2710 HST, Kubota 402 Loader, 5 foot brushog, 5 foot finish mower. Owned since new & have about 750 hours on it. I would rate my HST a 9, as nothing is "perfect". Has done everything I have asked of it: loaded gravel, loaded firewood, brushogged fields,cut lawn, moved snow. This tractor is identical to the B2910 (except for 2 HP). These two preceeded the current 29HP "7800". When the mowers are "whirring" you can't hear the whine of the HST system over their noise. I always wear ear protectors anyway. Easy to operate and has power steering and AWD system.