Comparison JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701

[mike69440]

Well, not all of us... Not to say that hydrostatic tractors haven't been involved in accidents, but geared machines are far and away more dangerous. Think about it: when in gear, a gear tractor goes until you tell it to stop by hitting the clutch (brakes might not do it alone). A hydro machine stops until you tell it to go. This is obviously inherently safer. Just this year a member here jumped his starter accidentally while his tractor was in gear and was driven over. He nearly lost his life. Would his tractor have immediately started moving if it was hydrostatic? Gear tractors are also more likely to drive over operators who fall off their machines. And, they're easier to flip over backwards. Again, if the front end comes up, you have to remember what to do instead of just lifting your foot off the go pedal.

If you're a new operator, a hydro machine is obviously the safer choice.

I would not buy an HST Tractor, unless I hit the lottery and want to add to my collection. I just do not like them.

However I agree totally with the above regarding greater safety using an HST, and in close quarter working conditions, especially on hills, ease of use and control with loader work, and hooking up implements.

I'm no lover of a straight gear crash box. The are a pain to operate.

I like power shuttle best ( for my use), and a mechanical shuttle is still a lot better than a straight gear.
Although I only have 17 hilly Acres, 1/2 of which is cleared. I do a fair amount of roading and ground engagement work, as well as loader work. Often my loader work makes me wish I had a medium duty dump truck.

I'd sure like a "magic button" to switch between CVT/HST and power shuttle, till then I like my GST.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I use the heck out of my dump trailer behind and arround my tractor. Probably my most useful attachment other than the loader.

 

[k0ua]

I'd sure like a "magic button" to switch between CVT/HST and power shuttle, till then I like my GST.

I am sure you know this, but for the benefit of others, a Glide Shift (GST) is one heck of a lot more complicated transmission than even the HST-3 Hydrostats that Kubota makes. Not complicated to use, but I mean it has more parts and pieces than any hydro. It is an extremely cool tranny though.:thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

I am sure you know this, but for the benefit of others, a Glide Shift (GST) is one heck of a lot more complicated transmission than even the HST-3 Hydrostats that Kubota makes. Not complicated to use, but I mean it has more parts and pieces than any hydro. It is an extremely cool tranny though.:thumbsup:

People often shy away from HST thinking it is complicated like a modern automatic transmission in a car. Not so. It actually has relatively few working parts and modern HSTs are extremely reliable.

 

[motownbrowne]

People often shy away from HST thinking it is complicated like a modern automatic transmission in a car. Not so. It actually has relatively few working parts and modern HSTs are extremely reliable.

Yes, the gear argument often tries to have it's cake and eat it too if you know what I mean. First they say it's more reliable and efficient. Then they say that a power shuttle is just as easy to maneuver as a hydro. Well, a straight crash box gear tranny might be simpler and more reliable, but a power shuttle certainly isn't. There's many more moving parts and sensors involved than with a HST. More fuel efficient in terms of BTUs of diesel put to the ground, yes. More efficient in terms of time spent on the machine, that'll depend.

 

[4570Man]

I was about 8 years old and learned on a gear tractor. It obviously isn't that hard. I still much prefer HST. After using my HST tractor my 93 year old Grandpa went and traded his L2550 GST for a L3800 HST. His old L2550 GST transmission was actually pretty good. It was night and day difference from my other grandpas L3130 geared. It is like saying a manual transmission truck is easier to drive. I can drive a manual transmission truck, but my automatic is way easier.

 

[TomSeller]

Multiple salesman have told me about the HST and hills dilemma.... Glad you guys are ringing in. They state it robs power and eliminates the ability to leave in gear while stopped on a hill.

Are you sure you heard them correctly? I can't leave any of my gear tractors "in gear" while stopped on a hill. HST yes, gear no.

 

[4570Man]

If you were to leave a HST in gear and chain it to a bigger tractor it would drag the wheels. The HST provides excellent braking. With that said you still need to set the parking brake if you parked on a hill. Don't ask why. If you take two equally sized tractors with two equally sized tractor tractors and put them to work. As long as the task wasn't pulling a plow the HST guy will eat the gears lunch. All HST transmissions are NOT created equal. I would be willing to bet if you used my Grand L with a 6 speed HST you would like it better than gears. If you used the pathetic excuse for a HST transmission in my uncles CK25 you will keep the gears.

 

[TomSeller]

The whole HST vs Gear dilemma is most applicable if you have one tractor in my opinion. With more than one (11 here), I select tractor's transmissions depending on use. I would not use an HST on crops or soil work. I prefer HST on utility and certainly on loader use. Having said that, a power shuttle is a good all around tractor, but there is no substitute for the accuracy of an HST. I don't have a lot of hills, so can't really speak to that. Just my $0,01

 

[wcampbell47]

If you are going to buy and use a FEL go HST. IMHO the 3 range HST is the way to go. L for heavy work, M for light work like mowing, H for transport only. Kubota offers a cruise control on the HST. Highly recommend if your mowing is in a large field. Started with a gear tractor with a loader. You have to be proficient with the clutch and shift into a lower gear for loading the bucket. Then shift to reverse, then shift to a higher gear to get the load where you want it. Left foot on the clutch. Right foot on the brake or accelerator pedal. Left hand on the steering wheel. Right hand on the loader joystick. Need lots of foot, hand and eye co-ordination. My son flew the Apache helicopter for 19 years but never did get the gear tractor to do what he wanted. Switched the the HST and it was a piece of cake. If I were doing a lot of straight line plowing or mowing I would go with a gear tractor. I am on my second HST tractor now. 1200 hours on the 1st with no issues. Just traded up a frame size with more HP. By the way an L4701 is a nice tractor ... but too big for my use. Telescoping lift arms help in attaching 3 point equipment and your implements will be big and heavy. The first time you struggle 30 minutes in 95 degree heat to get the draw pin in the ball .... well you can figure that out.

Just about had a disaster with HST left in gear and motor off. Tractor was on the trailer and I was adjusting the feet of my tiller when I noticed a slight movement of the rear tire. The tractor had crept toward the back of the trailer very slowly. There was just inches before the rear wheels would have come off the trailer possibly pinning me under the tiller. I ALWAYS set the brake if the tractor is on the trailer or not on level ground. Also raise the front end slightly with the loader to help hold it in place.