L series gear drive

[TripleR]

The gear trannys have a 2 stage live PTO I believe. The HSTs have a transmission PTO. They got rid of transmission PTOs because a flywheel on the PTO (like a rotary cutter) would keep driving the transmission & tractor forward even after pushing in the clutch. With a HST this is a non issue as you just let off the go pedal anyway & the HST stops the tractor. Saves money with a cheaper clutch assembly & you really don't get any of the negatives.

This shows transmission driven with over running clutch on the 3301: Compact Tractors | L3301 L3901 L4701 | Kubota Tractor Corporation

 

[SweBota]

Great point that like anything else takes some time getting used to. I did drive on the lot for short time. Have tried jd3032 with twin pedals and liked it but I think the kobota is a better tractor.

Dont judge the hydro by the pedals....

I have a Husqvarna rider with separate pedals, had a Kubota 8200HST but needed bigger so got a L2500DT gear machine. BIG mistake. Has been trying for several years to find a bigger L with HST, finally found a 5030. Cant wait to get rid of the constant gear changing. Doesnt mind at all switching between pedals and treadle, as long as its a hydro.

I mostly do snow clearing, loader work and also operate a ZME flail mover which runs outside the width of the tractor. It was hard to operate with the gear tractor. Even in L1, tractor is going too fast at PTO speed to avoid obstacles in tricky spots. Will love to have forward speed regulation while keeping revs up for PTO work.

Gear tractors are now much harder to sell used, everyone wants hydro..... Just saying.

/Marcus

 

[Wideglide]

S219 how do you like your l3200

 

[s219]

S219 how do you like your l3200

Been great so far -- very good combination of features for me. If I had to do it again I would've got an L3800 just to have a little more pep when driving around, but that said, I have not run into actual usages where I needed more power from the L3200. Prior to the L3200 I had a B2920 which was smaller and lighter, and a bit of a hot rod that spoiled me. But it always ran out of traction easily, so the power wasn't always usable.

The L models are a bit light in the rear and have a short wheelbase, so loaded rear tires is a must if you add a front loader, and then you need additional ballast (heavy box blade, etc) if you carry anything heavy in the loader. The one time I didn't carry ballast with a heavy load in front, I had the rear end bouncing all over the place.

Seat is comfortable, and the control layout is real good for me. I suspect I will have the L3200 for a long time, since it does what I want and I don't have any complaints after a year of ownership.

 

[Chilly807]

I have a 2009 L3400 gear drive model, been pretty happy with it. As LD1 said, the forward and reverse speeds don't match up well, that may have been rectified on the newer models. I wish they had used a hanging clutch pedal instead of the lower pivot type, the clutch is tiring after a couple hours of steady back and forth use.
I don't like revving an engine if it's not being worked, an HST transmission would bother me in that respect. I like having it come back to an idle when the tractor's not moving.
I do have a Sears yard tractor with HST tranny, works very well for mowing.

 

[SweBota]

I don't like revving an engine if it's not being worked, an HST transmission would bother me in that respect. I like having it come back to an idle when the tractor's not moving.

But modern HSTs regulate the throttle automatically. Or I'm not following...?

/Marcus

 

[Chilly807]

Only some do that, I don't think the new economy L series has that feature. The old ones didn't, you had to move up to the Grand L series to get the auto throttle.

 

[s219]

But modern HSTs regulate the throttle automatically. Or I'm not following...?

/Marcus

That is the HST+ on the Grand L models.

 

[SweBota]

Only some do that, I don't think the new economy L series has that feature. The old ones didn't, you had to move up to the Grand L series to get the auto throttle.

OK, thats quite possible. My old 8200 didn't have it, but it was 25 years old. My L5030 has it, and it's very nice. But with or without, I would still choose a HST any day, for the reasons listed above.

Br / Marcus

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 & the L3301 I drove have a manual throttle. The nicer grands have the HST pedal & throttle linked.

I usually run my RPMs lower say 1,500 RPM or so unless I really need the speed or power. If I'm going any significant distance I usually mash the go pedal all the way down & use the throttle for cruise control. No need to run a HST at higher throttle, just don't lug the engine.