Buying Advice HST or Gears?

[Automobilist]

Looking at a few different units. Particularly a NH TC30 with loader & backhoe. Its a "gear" model. Being unfamiliar with these small tractors, I don't know what real difference tjat represents. Clutch as in clutch pedal, or auto/centrifugal clutch? Stop to change gears like on a lawn tractor? Price is good @ $12500 asking...

 

[PsRumors]

A small gear driven tractor is just that, clutch (with a pedal that gets depressed when stopping and eased out when you start moving) and gears (must be stopped or going slow to change by first pushing in the clutch)

The TC30/is a great tractor but I like hydo. Had it on my 4410 and now on my 1025r, it's easy and convenient

 

[motownbrowne]

You should go test drive a tractor similar in size to that machine that's hydrostatic so you can have something to compare it to. That does seem to be a nice price, but hydro sure is a nice feature.

I can't find info on that particular transmission other than that it has 9 forward and 3 reverse gears. It's possible some of the gears are synchronized, which would eliminate the need to stop for each shift, but I don't know. Also, since there's only three gears for reverse, it seems unlikely that it's a shuttle-type transmission which allows you to very easily switch between forward and reverse, which is something you'll do pretty often. Like I said, though,I can't find any details easily, so I could be wrong. It's possible that you can shuttle between one of the forward and reverse gears in each range, even though you don't have an equivalent reverse gear for each forward gear like in most shuttle transmissions.

Personally, I love my HST tractors. It's been said on here before that unless you know you want a geared tractor, that a hydrostatic model is probably a better choice.

 

[aarolar]

I prefer a shuttle shift tractor over HST personally it's the best of both worlds to me however there is no way I would go back to a standard shift trans especially with a loader.

 

[chuck172]

I really can't use the gear drives anymore. Knee problems. I have the hst. I don't like the fact that the engine has to run at high rpms with the hst. I understand that the new hydro's idle down and rev with the throttle. I'm hoping someones comes out with a kit to make this modification.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, clutch as in clutch pedal, it has 9 forward and 3 reverse.

We have several tractors, but I now only use HST or hydraulic shuttle; left leg can't handle a foot clutch anymore.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

can we get some more info on what your intended uses will be? If you plan on doing alot of loader work, the HST is nice. I have a Kubota L3400 with it and can be very quick while messing around with the loader. I can almost outpace the hydraulics loading up my big manure spreader from the manure pile. My bigger tractors are a power shift(96) and power reverser(83) with loader. For ground engaging work, you couldn't give me an HST. The power shift is fantastic for field work since I can upshift or down shift without touching the clutch.

 

[s219]

Really need to know what you plan to use the tractor for. In some cases, gear is just fine and preferable. In other cases, HST is a much better option.

 

[nybirdman]

We have one HST tractor and one gear;I prefer the HST and my son the gear.HST will be easier for new operators and loader work for sure.

 

[jeff9366]

Looking at a NH TC30 with loader & backhoe. Its a "gear" model. Price is good @ $12500 asking...

It is a good price.

I think this is an example of a seller having to deep discount a compact tractor with a gear transmission in order to sell it.

A tractor/loader/backhoe combination without HST is a rare combination. Few people can operate clutch and gear equipment proficiently today.

My local Kubota dealer tells me that BX and B size tractors with gears come in regularly for clutch rebuilds. People buy gear for lower initial cost but each clutch rebuild is $1,200 with transportation.

If you are clutch proficient and loader work is not central to your needs, I would inspect it carefully, then make an offer.

Tractors have limited braking on slopes. You need to be extra cautious operating a clutch and gear tractor on slopes to prevent rolling backward then rolling over.