HST help

[texasjohn]

Good to know...you have two tractors nearly identical, thus can compare the difference, and can compare.

The tractor you were driving the other day was HST, and you prefer it generally.

I'd guess that if you could own only one tractor, it would be HST and you would get the job done with it on your 15 or so acres.

 

[TSO]

Good to know...you have two tractors nearly identical, thus can compare the difference, and can compare.

The tractor you were driving the other day was HST, and you prefer it generally.

I'd guess that if you could own only one tractor, it would be HST and you would get the job done with it on your 15 or so acres.

Yes exactly ... For my uses, only one tractor, HST all day. But if the vast majority of my uses were field and "farm" work, then shuttle would be my choice.

 

[GManBart]

My 41 HP LS shuttle shift could easily out push and out pull my 47 HP LS HST tractor. same exact tractor, same exact engine just tuned up a bit for more power in the hydro.

It was easily noticeable. Power to the ground.

It's possible that some of what you saw was due to differences in gearing as well as HST losses. The problem is there's no real way to know without some technical data that probably isn't available.

There is also the possibility that the 41hp version was turned up on the high end, and the 47hp version was on the low end. After seeing the EA video with the PTO dyno, I'm not sure I'll ever believe a tractor makes it's rated power without proof. I can't recall exactly how much, but the tractor in the video was well below its rated power in factory spec condition...I think we might find tractors varying wildly in both directions from what they should be.

 

[TSO]

It's possible that some of what you saw was due to differences in gearing as well as HST losses. The problem is there's no real way to know without some technical data that probably isn't available.

There is also the possibility that the 41hp version was turned up on the high end, and the 47hp version was on the low end. After seeing the EA video with the PTO dyno, I'm not sure I'll ever believe a tractor makes it's rated power without proof. I can't recall exactly how much, but the tractor in the video was well below its rated power in factory spec condition...I think we might find tractors varying wildly in both directions from what they should be.

valid point. It's very possible. And I also wish I had access to a PTO dyno. I would love to see what my tractor actually puts out. Regarding the EA video, I believe the tractor was listed as putting out around 70 PTO HP, but in their first run I want to say it was in the 60's.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I don't believe you could tell much of a difference in a geared vs hst machine with the same engines in terms of pulling. Some maybe, but not enough to sway a decision one way or the other. Both will spin the tires under enough load.

Where the hst shines is your ability to make the tractor move over the ground at virtually any speed you want without ever shifting or varying the engine speed.

If you are doing field work, keep in mind that you can adjust engine speed to get the proper pto speed and still go however fast or slow as you need. Engine speed remains constant, pto speed is constant and proper and the tractor travels at whatever speed you desire.

Think about using a bush hog or tiller and inching it right up to a tree or a fence or whatever. Or backing your plow right up to a fence to start your next row. Going to scrape up manure? Push it right up against the wall of the manure bin. Going to load a truck? Drive the tractor right up to the side of the truck and not worry about hitting the truck.

Someone mentioned the use of an hst in more and more ground engaging equipment. Big dozers use them. Very big excavators use them..and they've got Power with a capital P. Virtually all skid steers use them. More and more lawn tractors use them.

I see no downside to an hst, and I drove a gear for 20+ years.

With all due respect, don't over think this. In the tractor size you're considering, it's very unlikely that you'll do anything to make you wish you had a geared model.

 

[GManBart]

valid point. It's very possible. And I also wish I had access to a PTO dyno. I would love to see what my tractor actually puts out. Regarding the EA video, I believe the tractor was listed as putting out around 70 PTO HP, but in their first run I want to say it was in the 60's.

10hp low sounds about right to me. The thing that gets me is that's almost 15% low. Imagine if you bought a new car/truck that was supposed to put out 250hp to the rear wheels, and it only put out 212hp....people wouldn't accept that.

This is all part of my plan to subtly influence you into finding a PTO dyno

 

[TSO]

10hp low sounds about right to me. The thing that gets me is that's almost 15% low. Imagine if you bought a new car/truck that was supposed to put out 250hp to the rear wheels, and it only put out 212hp....people wouldn't accept that.

This is all part of my plan to subtly influence you into finding a PTO dyno

Lol... maybe if I had YOUR money

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't believe you could tell much of a difference in a geared vs hst machine with the same engines in terms of pulling. Some maybe, but not enough to sway a decision one way or the other. Both will spin the tires under enough load.

Where the hst shines is your ability to make the tractor move over the ground at virtually any speed you want without ever shifting or varying the engine speed.

If you are doing field work, keep in mind that you can adjust engine speed to get the proper pto speed and still go however fast or slow as you need. Engine speed remains constant, pto speed is constant and proper and the tractor travels at whatever speed you desire.

Think about using a bush hog or tiller and inching it right up to a tree or a fence or whatever. Or backing your plow right up to a fence to start your next row. Going to scrape up manure? Push it right up against the wall of the manure bin. Going to load a truck? Drive the tractor right up to the side of the truck and not worry about hitting the truck.

Someone mentioned the use of an hst in more and more ground engaging equipment. Big dozers use them. Very big excavators use them..and they've got Power with a capital P. Virtually all skid steers use them. More and more lawn tractors use them.

I see no downside to an hst, and I drove a gear for 20+ years.

With all due respect, don't over think this. In the tractor size you're considering, it's very unlikely that you'll do anything to make you wish you had a geared model.

That pretty much sums it up for me too.^^^
When buying my second new tractor I knew I wanted another hst. At the time my gear tractor just was not getting used much because it wasn't as convenient to operate.

Fuel use, I am sure the hst uses more but not enough to bother me. Most of these small tractors seem to use so little fuel that it isn't a concern. Rarely have I ever needed more than a tank of fuel to work my tractors all day. In a 60hp tractor with hst I may use an extra gallon or two of fuel compared to a gear tractor in a days work but the convenience is well worth the difference to me.

If the OP plans to buy a 100+hp older tractor for the larger field work in the near future I would not hesitate to recommend an hst for the smaller utility tractor. That would have all bases covered imo.