Comparison MX5400 Shuttle vs hst

[Fallon]

No wonder you have a difficult choice. I think that if longevity was the only issue then the nod must go to the shuttle. They are well proven to last the life of a tractor. For convenience and easy operation there is no doubt the HST is the choice. And HST longevity - probably not as long as a shuttle - may well be longer than you will own the tractor anyway.

Are those the only choices? There is a good intermediate choice on some models... the HST plus transmission. It has an electronically shifted two speed rear axle that it doubles the number of gears. A 3 speed HST becomes 6F & 6R. That eases the load on the HST pump and will probably help to reduce wear because the HST variable pump doesn't have to cover so wide a range. Less off-axis forces.

I like our HST+. It has been solid for 15 years now. But would say it also comes down to how you enjoy using a foot clutch. If you are comfortable with a foot clutch they work fine & there is certainly nothing wrong with the geared transmission choice.
My own favorite all time transmission was probably a 12 speed power shift with creeper gears, a foot clutch, and a reversing lever on the column.
rScotty

2 speed HST+ is great. But it's only available on the Grand Ls, not the MXes he's looking at.

If you keep up with the filter & fluids HSTs are in the same ballpark shuttles or power shift (GST) machines. Depending on usage & if you include splitting the tesctor fir a clutch they can rival a basic geared machine.

I do a lot of mowing along with light grading, loader work & other stuff. Geared efficiency would make sense for the mowing, but no way I'd give up HST ease of use for everything else. The 10% HP take for HST is well worth it for me.

 

[big bubba]

dbeverly68:
if some say the gear model has more longevity than HST (& i'm not convinced of that given the single dry plate clutch), then to OP:
how many hrs annually will you work it? how old are you? you're not using commercially are you?

 

[nrosario]

Dry single disc clutches for certain and in many cases forward / reverse synchronizers are by no means lifetime components.
A constant supply of clean, cool oil of the proper spec will allow an HST transmission to live thousands of hours.

Given proper care and use the choice is one of preference and suitability to the tasks at hand.

That's the key "Wet Clutch" vs "Dry Clutch", people are mistaken thinking that because is a manual transmission will last longer than HST.
First they have to check the type of clutch.
I know the Kubota M5660 has a Wet clutch, very robust components there.

 

[rScotty]

That's the key "Wet Clutch" vs "Dry Clutch", people are mistaken thinking that because is a manual transmission will last longer than HST.
First they have to check the type of clutch.
I know the Kubota M5660 has a Wet clutch, very robust components there.

Right. Clutches are not equal. Wet clutches are remarkably long-lasting. They can go the life of the tractor.

Our Kubota M59 has a standard Dry clutch, but since it is coupled with a HST+ transmission it doesn't see much use. It just gets used to take load off the HST transmission when starting and for easing the PTO engagement.

Regarding clutch jobs....I'm changing the dry clutch in the John Deere 530 right now. It's a minor job because it was designed to be easy to do. A couple of hours of standing work at most, and no parts heavier than a few pounds. All clutches could be made that way. Wonder why they aren't?
rScotty

 

[RickB]

Maybe something to do with the lateral orientation of the 530’s crankshaft?

 

[hseII]

I have an MX 5100 shuttle. I love the gear drive. Makes so much more sense to me. I use my tractor for fel dirt work, grading, grapple, box blading, a landscape rake, and mowing with a bush hog. Had a smaller Kubota with hst, hated it so much I got rid of it. I like to putz around in 1 gear, high range for most fel work. Set the hand throttle to about 1500 rpms and use the foot throttle for the power when I need it. I can't stand running an hst at almost 3,000 rpms for nothing. Go for the more power in the geared.

View attachment 657708

I run a M7060HD-12 the same way: I too agree.

 

[hseII]

although all i've owned are gear tractors, i would favor those recommending HST. i once owned an MX5000 gear shuttle. i found the shuttle very primitive that requires clutch depression. plus (on that model) 1st & 2nd gears were not synched, only 3rd, 4th. if you are doing repeated fel work, you'd be forever shifting. plus, as mentioned above, the clutch is single plate/dry. it's going to wear out w/repeated use over the years. i'll let the HST people give more detailed info on that system
i found the MX to be a robust bare bones tractor & would not get the primitive gear model again.... i highly recommend the HST best of luck

The new ones are hydraulic shuttle, just like a regular Loader Backhoe, no clutching.

 

[big bubba]

The new ones are hydraulic shuttle, just like a regular Loader Backhoe, no clutching.

i stand corrected. if the MX gear is hyd shuttle, no question, i would go w/gear. the hyd shuttle on my 12 sp M8540 is flawless.
glad to see they upgraded the MX series. given that, i change my recommendation to the hyd shuttle gear model for the OP
sorry for confusion, thanks for the info

 

[Newby first timer]

I am a first time buyer my self and have never operated a Tractor in my life before My Purchase.
I run my MX5800 HST around 1500 RPM while driving and between 1500--1800 operating the Backhoe.
It has all the power I need at those RPMs and the Backhoe is Jerky if I run higher RPMs (this may be me with lack of experience)
the MX5800 drives slower with the lower 1500 Rpms but it is not as loud.
When I need to pick the pace up I crank the RPMs up and go to the races.
I to have spun all four wheels while using the FEL.
Having the HST is GREAT for FEL work. But Again I have no experience to Compare to other Tractors.
I love my HST
Good Luck in your Choice

 

[5030]

I知 pulling the trigger tomorrow on an MX5400. I still haven稚 made up my mind on a shuttle or hst. The tractor will be doing mostly loader work with a bucket and grapple. I will also be mowing pasture. Mowing will be flat to tank damns and some hills. I guess I知 worried about longevity of either. Which may be better? I also worry about pushing brush and doing dirt work with the hst. I致e always had a shuttle and never owned a hst. Advise would be appreciated!! Thanks!

Disregard all the blather..here is the real skinny..........

From decades of experience in Kubota tractors, get an HST. In lieu of an HST, only a hydraulic shuttle. Neither have a dry clutch and for loader work, a dry clutch is the weak point and wear point and clutch replacement is always a split.

I would never own a dry clutch tractor with a loader on it. Loader work and dry clutches don't get along well. Well, they do in one respect, they get into your wallet for repairs.

The Kubota in my sig picture is a 2004. Bought new with a loader that I use constantly for moving and loading round bales, digging in manure piles and all sorts of stuff.

It has a hydraulic shuttle. So does my 2002, it's just like the pictured one but it's an open station. One has 2500 hours on it, the other has 5000 hours on it. neither have ever had a travelling clutch adjustment because both are hydraulic shuttle, IOW wet pack clutches. Only way to fly other than an HST.