Cruise control would alleviate any problems people have with the pedal. I was not sold on HST to begin with but after 400 hours am learning to tolerate it. On thing I do like is that to back up I can just use the back of my boot against the pedal edge... no need to actually move my foot onto the pad.
Which is better for the long run.
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Qapla
Veteran Member
I'm not sure how a cruise control would help with changing directions :confused3:
I have used gear and HST for front-loader work and HST is definitely better
I have driven tractors and forklifts with rocker pedals, two pedals and hand lever. For me - the worse is any design I have tried so far with a rocker. It bothers my ankle and kills my bad knees and hip.
Back to the OP question - The best way to determine which tractor is best "for you" ... you need to go sit in the seat of each choice. Only you will know what you feel fits the best.
rademamj1
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For mowing large fields, yes indeed having a cruise control would be a great option. Just set and mow, until its turned off. I think large tractors over 120hp have that as an option.
rScotty
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For people who have problems with their feet and back, the pedal is a non-starter and the dual pedal not much better. Cruise control only helps on long straight sections - not too common in tractor operations.
I'm thinking that those folks with foot and back problems should look into the fingertip operated shuttle shift/syncro glide shift transmissions instead of HST. A lot of new buyers just say, "It has to be HST" without actually looking at what the option offers. Shuttle shift has grown up. It's a nice smooth transmission, easy to use, loader friendly, clutchless F/R, has built in cruise control via the throttle, extremely reliable, more ratios available, more efficient, and is the less expensive new tractor option. What's not to like?
I've had several now. There are several types of shuttle shifts; all slightly different and worth a look.
rScotty
nybirdman
Super Member
I have one of each style,a Kubota with the rocker and a JD mower with two pedals.For each I pick my foot up to go in reverse;I do not rock my ankle for the rocker.I have a bad back and ankle has been broke twice;I prefer the Kubota system.I do use "cruise" were I can in the open fields.
mred2
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rScotty, right about the shuttle. I have a bad right foot. Brakes not a problem, but I wouldn't want to have to push a peddle most of the time. Even my old lawn mower has a hand operated HST. I have a manual shuttle and do have to use the clutch to shift, But I have a good left foot. I would love a power shuttle, but I am not sure what compact tractors have them. I know a lot of tractors over 55 hp have them. I also have a friend with bad knees and he has a problem mowing with his Kubota for long periods. It is a few years old and no cruise control. He is looking at a newer and bigger tractor. The only reason that he hasn't already got a new Kubota is because of the peddle.
I don’t see how it could fix anything but the most evenly grown field of grass. seems every time I try to use cruise on anything I have to stop and go back to using my foot to control the speed on anything but a flat road. That by the way is with every single tractor I ever tried it with including kubota.
In all honesty If cruise isn’t already included on a tractor I wouldn’t give 20 bucks to have it added except for the fact that someone who knows no better might pay me a little more if I sell it. I can’t even remember the last time I used it to be honest and I have 3 tractors with it.
Might work if you set the speed way slower than needed for high stuff and just live with the snails pace. Seems to me unless I am overpowering things with a tractor twice the size the speed needs to be adjusted as you go. I have less of a hard time finding a workable gear in a manual gearbox that will hold pot speed in uneven fields than I do with hats and cruise.
With you on the shuttle, that’s what I use most of the time but that tractor is a bit big for what I consider my yard. My wife likes the HST so I live with it but she also prefers the 2 pedal system. For her I think it’s more a matter of what she was used to with the JD than anything else. For me it’s a matter of being able to climb off and walk back from the barn without help or crutches. It really does hurt me in short time.
My father's 2008 L2800 has it as an option which is still available. You can use it the same way that you use a pedal.
Then again, I still miss my old shuttle shift.
