HST vs shuttle

[aczlan]

Just remember this. The only real place gear/ shuttle wins out is if the ground engagement you are doing is right at the maximum the tractor can perform. If it's a task that the tractor can easily do, like grading a driveway then the HST will actually be easier because you can change speeds and direction easier. If it's a task that can be done at a slower speed or if traction is going to be the biggest issue then HST isn't going to be an issue.

Good point. I have driven gear tractors, we have a couple of HST tractors and a GST (power shift) tractor.
I wish the GST tractor was a hydrostatic, it would make snow blowing, mowing and baling easier if I could use an "in between" gear.

Aaron Z

 

[RandyinTN]

Glad I read all 9 pages in an attempt to educate myself. Now I am more confused than ever, lol

 

[ericm979]

There's a lot of opinions. I'ts your needs that matter. Best thing is to think through all the stuff you want to do with a tractor and then test drive lots of tractors while trying to simulate those activities as best you can.

 

[patrick_g]

Once upon a time a long time ago I said my HST (Kubota Grand L 4610 HSTC) outperformed gear shift tractors and failed to notice a challenge to define out perform.

Is it better late than never or better never than late?

Out perform, as in anything you can do with a gear tractor I can do easier or faster with HST with the exception being getting the greatest possible energy turning the wheels. HST uses up just a tiny percentage more of the engines capacity to supply the energy to perform the "magic" of HST. Gear shift tractors are just a tad more efficient in power transfer.

If your tractor was marginal in the HP department for pulling a plow or whatever A N D you did it a lot then there is a chance you would be better served by a gear shifting arrangement Many of us aren't into row cropping or other heavy continuous load type jobs. Many of us want ease of matching job to gear ratio and or want easy and quick direction reversal.

Take for example using a FEL to take buckets of dirt from the ground and load them into a dump trailer. Lots of changes from forward to reverse. With HST you achieve direction change from forward to reverse and reverse to forward with a small motion of your foot leaving both hands for other important jobs: 1. one hand to steer, 2. one hand A L W A Y S on the joy stick when bucket is loaded and you are traveling with it more than a few inches above ground.

I have been there and done that at a gravel pile or filling a trailer with dirt. I can move more material faster with less hassle and fatigue than a somewhat larger more powerful tractor without HST. HST isn't free. It costs more to buy but is more than worth it in most circumstances. My tractor is getting up there in age but has never had a problem with the HST.

Patrick

 

[majorwager]

Patrick,
Disagree. HST sacrifices more than a tiny bit of HP. In small tractors 5 hp is significant. You would NOT be faster at a repetitive function than me, W/ the newer hydraulic shuttles. The 5125r I use has F-R buttons on the loader joystick. The power reverser lever isn't even necessary, but is available. I can push a button, already under my hand, faster than you can shuffle your feet on floor pedals. Also, HST generates significant heat under load, efficiency loss, and friction wear!.


HST is Old School,, time to catch up.

 

[LouNY]

Patrick,
Disagree. HST sacrifices more than a tiny bit of HP. In small tractors 5 hp is significant. You would NOT be faster at a repetitive function than me, W/ the newer hydraulic shuttles. The 5125r I use has F-R buttons on the loader joystick. The power reverser lever isn't even necessary, but is available. I can push a button, already under my hand, faster than you can shuffle your feet on floor pedals. Also, HST generates significant heat under load, efficiency loss, and friction wear!.


HST is Old School,, time to catch up.

I'll agree with that HST may be handy for some people and they may have their place but I much prefer the power shuttles and after a few thousand hours of use the power shuttle will have a much better chance of survival and less expensive maintenance. When your HST's start showing 5000 hours plus and are still working good and are not whining enough to be irritating I may start to change my mind. We load thousands of tons of silage yearly with shuttle tractor loaders I do not believe any of the hydro would do it for the same cost of maintenance and ownership.

 

[ovrszd]

Additionally, unless you can run your brakes with one foot and HST with other, Shuttles are much more precise.

 

[crazyal]

Additionally, unless you can run your brakes with one foot and HST with other, Shuttles are much more precise.

Why can't you use your right foot to operate the HST and left for the brakes?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Love my HST.

 

[MossRoad]

Why can't you use your right foot to operate the HST and left for the brakes?

Because on some models, they put the brake and HST pedals on the same side! :confused2: