DT transmission Vs HST transmissions any drawbacks for longivity ?

[sewdds]

I have the same tractor (L3800DT) Bluegill2 has(and also live in the same AR county - Clay). The dual stage clutch works well. I've been using almost simultaneously, my L3800DT and a hydrostat 3032 John Deere. The Kubota is a much more robust machine in every way! My thoughts, if there is no physical disability, I'm just as happy with the DT, if I'm the only one using it; however, if it were to be used by employees, or mechanically deficient people, the hydrostat has some advantages. I live and work in very hilly country and understand, correctly or not, that there are some advantages to the manual in my situation.
The L3200 has a single stage clutch, L3800 has dual stage. That would be a deal breaker for me concerning a L3200DT. I'd get a L3200 HST if I were getting a 3200. Toss up on the L3800.

 

[Bluegill2]

I have the same tractor (L3800DT) Bluegill2 has(and also live in the same AR county - Clay). The dual stage clutch works well. I've been using almost simultaneously, my L3800DT and a hydrostat 3032 John Deere. The Kubota is a much more robust machine in every way! My thoughts, if there is no physical disability, I'm just as happy with the DT, if I'm the only one using it; however, if it were to be used by employees, or mechanically deficient people, the hydrostat has some advantages. I live and work in very hilly country and understand, correctly or not, that there are some advantages to the manual in my situation.
The L3200 has a single stage clutch, L3800 has dual stage. That would be a deal breaker for me concerning a L3200DT. I'd get a L3200 HST if I were getting a 3200. Toss up on the L3800.

I like that and will use it at some point.

Was pulling a 6' box blade yesterday with mine and it was doing a fine job!

 

[Grandad4]

I live and work in very hilly country and understand, correctly or not, that there are some advantages to the manual in my situation.

The HST guys would say in most normal working conditions you've got it just backwards. Getting on the clutch while on a hill to stop, change directions or go through neutral to reach a lower gear is way more of an adventure than simply adjusting the pedal position on an HST tractor to do the same things. For the same reason, the HST type has a traction advantage because those changes can be done more smoothly. Experienced operators at the top of their game know how to deal with gears and hills, of course, but, on balance, the HST setup presents less chance of a tractor-in-neutral, free-wheeling ride down the hill due to some combination of clutching, gear-shifting and operator clumsiness. Old tractors with bad brakes and older operators with declining skills (me included, unfortunately), make the risks even greater.

The gear tractor does have one distinct advantage in extreme slope conditions. If you're on a truly steep slope, say 30 percent or more, at some point the HST fluid will drain so far to one end of the pan that the pickup sump can't draw hydraulic fluid for the pump and the tractor free-wheels.

Whatever your preferences, know the strengths and weaknesses of your equipment and be safe!

 

[k0ua]

Unabashed hydrostatic promoter here, and Living on a hillside here in Branson, Mo. I can attest after owning 1 Gear and 2 Hydro tractors here, the Hydro tractors offer a considerable advantage in safety when operating on this extremely hilly and dangerous terrain. As for the 30% slope preventing pickup of fluid, I can say I have operated on slopes close to twice that steep (close to 30 degrees which is about 57% slope) without any difficulty of fluid pickup in my Kubota L3400hst and my Kioti DK35se. Now my JD lawn tractor with a hydro. Not the same thing. I can attempt slopes here that the little single range hydro will stall on. It is not a robust hydrostat at all. Also if you go down some of these slopes the "holdback" of the little hydro is insufficient to prevent the little tractor from going flying down the hill. But our Larger Hydro tractors are nothing like the little "lawn and garden" tractors. They are night and day different.

James K0UA

 

[Grandad4]

Interesting to hear of your experience on slopes, James. Years ago there was a West Virginia fellow who came on TBN seeking advice, having gotten his brand-new L4610HST (just like mine), several miles back in some of the up and down trails in the mountains there, and couldn't get back out again because of the sump pickup issue. I don't recall that we ever heard just how steep those trails were or what he ever did, but since then I've always been a little cautious when stating the limits. A 60% slope is nothing to sneeze at!

 

[TripleR]

I believe I read on here that a service bulletin had come out on the tractors with sump pickups...maybe I am imagining it...

 

[DK35vince]

I personally do not like electric PTO engagement. I want a manual lever (not a cable) and clutch activated PTO. And that's what I have.

Its a personal preference thing.
I personally prefer the independent PTO over the dual stage clutch

 

[WilliamBos]

Its a personal preference thing.
I personally prefer the independent (electric) PTO over the dual stage clutch

X2. Electric is becoming the standard now.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Glad I didn't know about the sump pump issue or I'd of been in fear like after learning about the fans that shred on BXs. I've owned 15 Kubotas. 14 HSTs and one gear which was a B2320 and the PTO stopped when the clutch went in and I hated that when tilling.
I live on a steep hillside and have never experienced any failure to run. Maybe ignorance is bliss.....well no I don't believe that or I wouldn't have kept buying different Kubotas to find the perfect combination of Kubotas for my current mowing/tractor needs.
I also have to take issue, major issue with gear being better on hillside usage. The HST goes the speed you want whether fast or slow based on the foot pressure and letting off of the foot pedal stops them. I've also been confused about the separate brake for each wheel which I could never find any time that would have ever made a difference to me the way I use a tractor. I've just always used the steering wheel to make turns and not the brakes.
Lots of great info on TBN but some of it is.........well.........I'm done.

 

[NE Tractor]

I guess it really comes down to price in replacing the clutch Vs the whole transmission with the HST, if it were to go bad some day ? Because I am hoping to buy a premade package deal from one of several dealers across the USA who have the L3200/L3800 DT and HST packages they are selling.

I am just curious about what will be best for old age and what is going to last or hold up to very little abuse maintaining 1.8 acres that are flat scrub brushy. I like the idea of getting everything included for x amount of $, trailer included, not to mention saving a few thousand in Taxes if possible, as I wont need to License it anytime soon in my state I don't think.

Thank you for any input you can offer, and huge bonus if you have direct experience buying of one of these premade packages from whom ? how much did it cost you and how is it working for you as of now.

Thanks,
Manshoon

Been working on tractors for 34 years and I sold tractors for 7 years in New England and in this area of the country Hydro rules. We very reluctantly took gear tractors in trade as they would become lawn ornaments, had to pretty much give them away. The hydro's are pretty bullet proof, never had to repair one.