That's what I was going to say, you beat me to it. I always make sure that my bucket and/or implement are grounded before I get off. Of course my seat has a safety switch to shut the engine off as soon as I take my weight off it. I'm not sure why that doesn't work. (It's rather difficult to run my winch or backhoe without the engine running.)
Buying Advice HST vs Gear Transmission - which would you recommend on this tractor ?
- Thread starter Buckchaser
- Start date
- Views: 97713
s219
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2011
- Messages
- 8,548
- Location
- Virginia USA
- Tractor
- Kubota L3200, Deere X380, Kubota RTV-X
That was certainly the intent of my post early on. Seems to me the OP's needs are leaning more towards ground engagement and mowing, both tasks well suited to a gear tractor. If he said heavy loader work with a lot of back and forth, then no question HST would be better overall.
This is the way I look at it -- HST is better for repetitive loader work and can do tasks like mowing and tilling OK. Gear is better for tasks like mowing and tilling, but is not even close to HST for loader work when it comes to productivity. If it was me, I could sort out the pros and cons based on those statements and that would be the end of it.
I'm talking as someone who uses HST and gear tractors regularly. I am also suspicious of anyone who has a strong opinion one way or another. I am in the situation where I have to hop on several different tractors in different locations to get work done. I don't have time for opinions that get in the way of progress. Don't let opinions get in the way of learning how to operate different types, brands, transmissions or distracting from the actual task. Tractor use is often about being open minded and finding common sense solutions.
I remember recent threads arguing about twin-pedal versus treadle for HSTs, and that's another argument I don't understand, as I own both and have to operate both. Focusing on the job at hand, the pedal/treadle totally fades from the forefront and both work fine for me.
Unless you have a physical handicap or injury that eliminates one type of transmission or control arrangement, the bottom line to me is that any open minded and semi-skilled operator can use any of these machines for any task. Some arrangements are just more productive than others.
The alternative is to ditch the tractor and get a donkey. Then you can argue with the beast about the best way to operate. The donkey will win that argument every time!
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,457
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
That’s a terrible “safety” feature IMO for reasons you mentioned. My HST doesn’t have that switch and I can leave it it gear running. Leaving it in gear while running is no substitute for a parking brake because it does creep but it it’s not going anywhere fast. I’m not sure how this is very useful to the topic though a gear and HST in neutral do the same thing.
OP
Buckchaser
Member
Well said and what you say makes sense. I guess it's all in what a person uses his equipment for and what feels best while using. I have 2 lawn tractors . One is an older gear tractor and one is newer HST.. I like them both for different reasons.. I looked at all the responses to my original question about HST vs. gears on a new MF tractor and took them all into consideration. I'm leaning toward the HST.. I test drove both of them yesterday.. I was concerned about brush hogging with the HST because of not having cruise control function , but one of the guys on the post said he has Cruise on his and doesn't use it very often while brush hogging..I found this to be true on my HST lawn tractor because of the speeding up and slowing down that takes place..If I had 50 acres to brush hog I might be concerned. I did own an older JD with gear transmission at one time and didn't mind it. It had 8 gear positions and I did a lot more clutch work with it , but if your foot slipped off the clutch or you jumped the clutch by accident in tight situations..usually meant trouble. Thanks to everyone who responded to my original question. When you're trying to buy a new piece of equipment it's great to have other opinions especially when your forking out good money..There have been a lot of good pros and cons in response to my original question and only time will tell if I made the right decision, but I'm probably going with the HST.
Once I have had a chance to use the tractor on brush hogging, tiller work and loader work I will certainly be glad to give my opinion on my decision..If it helps someone else that's on the fence I would be glad to help out. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone.
Once I have had a chance to use the tractor on brush hogging, tiller work and loader work I will certainly be glad to give my opinion on my decision..If it helps someone else that's on the fence I would be glad to help out. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone.
kenmac
Super Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2005
- Messages
- 9,835
- Location
- The Heart of Dixie
- Tractor
- McCormick CX105 Kubota MX 5100 HST, Kubota ZD1021, Kawsaki Mule 4010 trans 4x4
You will like the HST. Sorry some took your post to another level that had nothing to do with your question
Billrog
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2014
- Messages
- 2,053
- Location
- Armstrong, British Columbia
- Tractor
- Kioti 2610, 580 SuperM Case Backhoe
My first tractor with HST after 25 years 4500 hrs. with no problems and a pleasure to use convinced me I now have a Kioti HST with 600 hrs. on it a love it to. For loader work, brush hogging and plowing snow I don't have to mess with finding the right gear. But I do realize standard transmissions have their place.
lostcreekranch
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2012
- Messages
- 7,948
- Location
- Austin County, Texas
- Tractor
- NH TL-100A with Bush Hog 5045 FEL, WR Long 3rd function, LS XR4155HC w/FEL, WR Long 3rd Function.
I agree with Ken on HST. I have a New Holland 96 HP gear tractor and LS 55 HP HST tractor. Both serve their purpose but I’d really like both to be HST. The LS is my 3rd HST tractor. All three have had cruise control.
The prior allegation that HST tractors are “slower” is a ridiculous generalization that is not supported in fact whatsoever.
I do use my “cruise control” on my LS XR4155HC often and especially while mowing with rotary cutter or rear finish mower. On mine, cruise control is enabled with switch on dash and disabled with switch or by tapping on brake pedal.
Good luck with your selection and check back with your results.
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,457
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
“HSTs are complicated”. “HSTs break down all the time” “HSTs are slow” “HSTs don’t pull as hard” “HSTs are expensive to maintain” Thats all myth and no fact. If any of the above are proven not true I’ll admit I was wrong.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Agreed, good luck with what ever you get. I used to finish mow an open field, it looked like a lawn after a while with a little hydrostat New Holland. It did have cruise and I used it all the time with finish mowing. But with finish mowing you don't have to slow down for "rough stuff" as there is no rough stuff. But if if you did have to take off the cruise, it was electric just like the above, either press the button or touch the brakes and it comes off just like any car or truck. This is the way it works on my present Kioti also. It is just a magnetic coil that holds the forward pedal in one place by energizing a magnetic field and attracting the steel pedal shaft.
Anyway, good luck and glad you came by the forum. Let us know what you selected, and how you like it.
newbury
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
- Messages
- 14,138
- Location
- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
- Tractor
- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
I've found reading the listing of equipment helps me judge the poster. ASSuming it's truthful.
Like putting in your location helps tune reponses.
I doubt someone like jeff9366 would have much need for a snowblower.
Also what one can afford and what is offered. I NEEDED a bigger tractor for moving logs. For the money appropriated at the time, $15K, I could have gotten a 30+HP Kubota w/ HST. Instead I got a 50HP geared, older M4700 for $11.5K. And remember it used to be ALL the larger Kubotas were geared, they didn't offer HST much above 50 HP.
