About to buy: GST vs. HST

[Mikey007]

Actually, if I decide to go HST I might move up to the L5240 (and probably the L5040 if I go GST).

One other issue/concern I have with the HST. I have test driven several HST tractors (Deere 3x20 and 4x20 series, Massey Ferguson, Bobcat, Kioti and, of course, Kubota) and I get the same feeling when a I am driving all of them. It feels like I am driving through molasses! By that I mean it doesn't seem like I am going very fast or the tractors are very responsive.

Now I know there is a lot of fine tuning that can be done with the Kubota HST+ transmission (HST Response Control, Auto Throatle, etc) and I didn't play around with that on the dealers lot while test driving.

Of course, these tractors are a lot bigger then the JD870 (28 hp/25 PTO hp) I have been driving for 15 years. So it is probably a perception thing on my part. After all, I think the top speed on my current 870 is only about 10 mph!

It just feels like with a gear drive tractor (such as my current 9/3 collar shift or a GST) you can FEEL the power going to the ground and with the HST I guess it is there you just don't "feel" it. Does this reasoning make since???

I don't think lack of power will be an issue, however, as I'll be going from a 28 hp tractor to a 44-54 hp one!

P.S. Thanks for all the useful (and reassuring!) replies so far.

 

[MarkV]

I have one of both transmissions and like both of them. When you outlined your uses what struck me was the 5 acres of tilling. I am sure it depends on soil type but my GST tractor doesn't travel slow enough, for my tastes, when tilling in my soil. It would be worth comparing travel speeds in each gear compared to the tractor you are used to tilling with. Oh, and I have never felt like the tiller was pushing my HST tractor.

MarkV

 

[bigbull338]

ive got the MX5100 HST an i dont have no prob with a 5ft 3pt tiller pushing the tractor.the tractor dont even know the tiller is back there.i know ill never go back to the old gear tractors.but i would go to the hydrolic shuttle tractors.

 

[kuboman]

My preference for any kind of loader work is HST of course but heavy pulling with an HST might lead to problems later on.
As for resale value you pay more for HST and get more when you trade but the converse is true for the GST as you pay less for it at the beginning so I am not sure that should even be a consideration.

 

[crazyal]

I have one of each and they require a different technique. Either one will work but I would go with the HST. With HST your engine speed doesn't define your travel speed.

 

[TripleR]

Actually, if I decide to go HST I might move up to the L5240 (and probably the L5040 if I go GST).

One other issue/concern I have with the HST. I have test driven several HST tractors (Deere 3x20 and 4x20 series, Massey Ferguson, Bobcat, Kioti and, of course, Kubota) and I get the same feeling when a I am driving all of them. It feels like I am driving through molasses! By that I mean it doesn't seem like I am going very fast or the tractors are very responsive.

Now I know there is a lot of fine tuning that can be done with the Kubota HST+ transmission (HST Response Control, Auto Throttle, etc) and I didn't play around with that on the dealers lot while test driving.

Of course, these tractors are a lot bigger then the JD870 (28 hp/25 PTO hp) I have been driving for 15 years. So it is probably a perception thing on my part. After all, I think the top speed on my current 870 is only about 10 mph!

It just feels like with a gear drive tractor (such as my current 9/3 collar shift or a GST) you can FEEL the power going to the ground and with the HST I guess it is there you just don't "feel" it. Does this reasoning make since???

We have several geared tractors and three HST units and yes, there is a different "feel" in "power going to the ground"; not bad, but definitely different. I have to admit I really like the "feel" of a geared unit "hooking up" under heavy load, but for the uses you describe, I will pick an HST every time.

 

[art]

I'd say that the chance of a tiller pushing a hydro is near 0 or at best equal to the glideshift! I've driven both and use both from time to time and the last one I was using was a glideshift and I would have perfered he hydro for the digging job I was doing.

Will the glideshift use less fuel then a hydro, sure! I'd still take a hydro!

 

[Grandad4]

Actually, if I decide to go HST I might move up to the L5240 (and probably the L5040 if I go GST).

One other issue/concern I have with the HST. I have test driven several HST tractors (Deere 3x20 and 4x20 series, Massey Ferguson, Bobcat, Kioti and, of course, Kubota) and I get the same feeling when a I am driving all of them. It feels like I am driving through molasses! By that I mean it doesn't seem like I am going very fast or the tractors are very responsive.

Now I know there is a lot of fine tuning that can be done with the Kubota HST+ transmission (HST Response Control, Auto Throatle, etc) and I didn't play around with that on the dealers lot while test driving.

Of course, these tractors are a lot bigger then the JD870 (28 hp/25 PTO hp) I have been driving for 15 years. So it is probably a perception thing on my part. After all, I think the top speed on my current 870 is only about 10 mph!

It just feels like with a gear drive tractor (such as my current 9/3 collar shift or a GST) you can FEEL the power going to the ground and with the HST I guess it is there you just don't "feel" it. Does this reasoning make since???

I don't think lack of power will be an issue, however, as I'll be going from a 28 hp tractor to a 44-54 hp one!

P.S. Thanks for all the useful (and reassuring!) replies so far.

You'll run out of traction long before you run out of horsepower. Our 46 hp L series HST Kubota (even though it's admittedly a couple of generations older than the newest ones), has never, ever wanted for power, even in the heaviest mowing, tilling, pushing, pulling or hauling applications. We use mostly 6ft. attachments, with one or two 7 footers.

I'd give you that you can't pop a wheelie on an HST machine like you can when you drop the clutch on a gear tractor, but I'd argue that's mostly a good thing, not something to worry over. In most tractor work you are looking for steady, smooth power to the ground or to the implement, not a sudden response. The hydro system is indeed less efficient mechanically than a gear drive (just like cars with automatics get slightly less gas mileage than their stick shift equivalents), but most owners find the added convenience well worth it.

But that's a judgement call for each individual to make...

 

[PapaPerk]

Okay, I think I'm about to finally upgrade from my John Deere 870 and am looking at Kubota L4240 or L4740. I thought I was going HST but I visited my brother last week he he's trying to talk me into going with the GST transmission (he owns an L5030 GST).

My current tractor uses:

Mow about 15 acres with a Caroni TM1900 flail mower. I might be switching to a bush hog as I think it fits my "rough" property better. Hopefully most of this land will be converted to pasture soon so I will have much less mowing to do!

Rototill/cultivate about 5 acres for market gardens (various veggies). I also use a single bottom plow and 6 ft. disc harrow some but mostly use rototiller for soil prep.

Once I get more animals I will have more manure to "move around". (i.e. loader work) I also have several large compost piles that I turn with the loader.

I guess my biggest concern with the HST is with the ground engaging equipment - tilling. Yes, I've read all the threads and most people say the HST can handle this no problem.

However, I have been told that when tilling with an HST and going slow the tiller can actually "push" the tractor forward. This was also confirmed by my Kubota salesman. Has anybody actually experienced this when tilling?

I've driven my brother's GST tractor and like it ok but really was looking forward to the features of Kubota's HST+ transmission. Will I be happy with HST given my tractor uses?

My 3830 that's FST (sync shift) will get push by my tiller occasionally. This happens in heavy soil.

Personally I would buy a GST and wish I had originally. I like that they are as efficient as a FST trans but easier to change direction and ground speed.

Hydros are nice too but in this size tractor I'm not crazy about them. Simple is better right?

 

[PapaPerk]

I'd give you that you can't pop a wheelie on an HST machine like you can when you drop the clutch on a gear tractor, but I'd argue that's mostly a good thing, not something to worry over. In most tractor work you are looking for steady, smooth power to the ground or to the implement, not a sudden response. The hydro system is indeed less efficient mechanically than a gear drive (just like cars with automatics get slightly less gas mileage than their stick shift equivalents), but most owners find the added convenience well worth it.

But that's a judgement call for each individual to make...

Hydro trans are nothing like automatic transmissions in modern automobiles. A GST trans is a closer equivalent to automatic automotive transmission.