Bigger hydrostat tractor?

[Tobster]

Just bought a Kubota M7060, waiting for it to be delivered. After doing my research and lots of reading, it is the best tractor available for my needs...but with a compromise...

I would really like to have hydrostat, so much easier to use, and safer in my opinion...but no manufacturer makes a hydrostat tractor in anything bigger than a compact, why??? I need a bit bigger frame than a compact for ground cleareance and weight. It seems crazy to me that no manufacturer makes a utility tractor with hydrostat.

What am I missing?

 

[Grandad4]

The hydrostat has advantages in simplicity of operation and with chores that involve lots of stop and go or very refined, slow movement. I'm guessing the design and development costs to make a hydrostat that works efficiently and reliably go up greatly with increasing size. While the manufacturers seem to have decided to put their product improvement money elsewhere for now, you can scale up the technology quite a bit. With large scale construction equipment, for example, you can find 300+ horsepower hydrostat machinery, but money-wise, they are in a whole different league.

 

[jeff9366]

Far fewer Ms are sold with FELs than smaller Kubota models.

Ms are used for field work where 10% to 15% greater fuel consumption of HST tractor is a significant cost factor when pulling large implements down long rows. Farming is a thin margin business.

Not many Ms are used on slopes.

 

[ovrszd]

I take a different perspective than Jeff. Around here you are hard pressed to find a Utility class M without an FEL most are used by cattle farmers.

The larger M class AG Kubota tractors are mainly used for AG work as Jeff suggested.

The Utility class Ms are often on slopes.

I agree that if using the tractor for AG type work the gear drive variety is much cheaper to run.

To the OP, you can get the largest HP CUT Kubotas with HST. They are very durable and dependable. Also are sized big enough to do considerable Utility work. I've owned an L4400. I now own an M9540. Both performed Utility class chores easily within their intended boundaries.

 

[Agvg]

- AGCO GmbH

 

[Agvg]

The Fendt Vario transmission is a hydrostatic-mechanical power split drive. With increasing speed, the share of the mechanical power transmitted through the planetary set increases. The hydrostats can be swung 45 degrees and have a high operating pressure of max. 550 bar – this ensures exceptional efficiency.

 

[ovrszd]

The Fendt Vario transmission is a hydrostatic-mechanical power split drive. With increasing speed, the share of the mechanical power transmitted through the planetary set increases. The hydrostats can be swung 45 degrees and have a high operating pressure of max. 550 bar – this ensures exceptional efficiency.

Do they offer that in a 60hp Utility tractor?? Very cool.

 

[Agvg]

70 hp is the smallest they make, a tractor is tractor where I live.

 

[Agvg]

Just an example of large tractors with this type of transmission, not a buying advise.

 

[boggen]

TractorData.com Kubota M7 tractor information older unit which is HST
TractorData.com Kubota M854 tractor information another HST
TractorData.com Kubota M6 tractor information another HST
TractorData.com Kubota M514 tractor information another HST

markets vary. i am assuming manufactures found something better for there given markets. or needed another tractor type to fill in given product lines already made in the past.

shuttle shift with same speed forwards backwards. can be rather nice! vs an HST peddle.

 

[Tobster]

Thanks for all the feedback. Guess I'll see if I can get comfortable with the shuttle. My previous tractor was a JD 4520 cab with hydro, so it will be an adjustment. I would have gone with a compact, but I will be using it a lot to clean up a cutover with lots of brush, treetops, etc. so feel like the larger frame and ground clearance will be an advantage.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for all the feedback. Guess I'll see if I can get comfortable with the shuttle. My previous tractor was a JD 4520 cab with hydro, so it will be an adjustment. I would have gone with a compact, but I will be using it a lot to clean up a cutover with lots of brush, treetops, etc. so feel like the larger frame and ground clearance will be an advantage.

Might want to consider building a belly pan for your new tractor before using it. That work you mention is better done with a dozer imo.

 

[TractorGuy]

If the new tractor has a forward reverse shuttle that can change direction on the fly you will be fine.

 

[Tobster]

Might want to consider building a belly pan for your new tractor before using it. That work you mention is better done with a dozer imo.

I'm getting the heavy stuff done with a dozer, just smaller stuff with the tractor. I will look into the belly pan idea, I asked my dealer about skid plates, and he didn't seem to have that option. Is that something that would have to be fabricated?

 

[Tobster]

If the new tractor has a forward reverse shuttle that can change direction on the fly you will be fine.

It does have that...so maybe it won't be a huge adjustment

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm getting the heavy stuff done with a dozer, just smaller stuff with the tractor. I will look into the belly pan idea, I asked my dealer about skid plates, and he didn't seem to have that option. Is that something that would have to be fabricated?

Yes you would need to fabricate a belly pan/skid plate but not a big deal. It sure saves a lot of grief though.

 

[TractorGuy]

Yes you would need to fabricate a belly pan/skid plate but not a big deal. It sure saves a lot of grief though.

I need to do this for my backhoe. Ripped the suction hose off the hydraulic tank a few weeks ago.

 

[Cavjock22]

The hydrostat has advantages in simplicity of operation and with chores that involve lots of stop and go or very refined, slow movement. I'm guessing the design and development costs to make a hydrostat that works efficiently and reliably go up greatly with increasing size. While the manufacturers seem to have decided to put their product improvement money elsewhere for now, you can scale up the technology quite a bit. With large scale construction equipment, for example, you can find 300+ horsepower hydrostat machinery, but money-wise, they are in a whole different league.

The problem with hydrostatic is it also contributes to heat. The mfg would have to beef up the cooling capacity of the tractor. I would never reccommend hydrostatic in a tractor over 50 HP that will be doing heavy drawbar work or mowing but that's just my opinion coming from the construction industry..

 

[Agvg]

The Fendt dual transmission is a very elegant solution, stepless from 200m/h to 60km/h, and it's very fuel efficient so it can be done.

 

[ovrszd]

The Fendt dual transmission is a very elegant solution, stepless from 200m/h to 60km/h, and it's very fuel efficient so it can be done.

Yep. Definitely can be done. Cost effective? Now that's another story.