any downside to hst?

[NoMo]

No. My old IH specifically said not to pull it with the engine off. Well, it didn't say it, of course... tractors can't talk. But the operators manual had a section on towing the unit. You had to put the range selcetor in neutral and add several gallons of fluid to the tranny. Then I think you had to manipulate a valve on the case somewhere, but I could be mistaken. After you towed it to where you were going, you had to drain the tranny back down to the proper level, maniplate the valve again, etc....

Talking tractors- they probably aren't too far off in the future.

It's pretty interesting reading about all of the HST variations available.
My JD manual indicates that towing the machine for "short distances" is OK... but only at 10MPH or less. No special procedure other than the common-sense stuff of tranny in neutral, PTO & parking brake off, etc.

 

[Soundguy]

Hey Mossroad. On the old ford SOS, you had to open a traction disconnect linkage at the rear of the tractor so you could tow them. So that must be a very common theme.. thusly, you couldn't pullstart them either.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[MossRoad]

Hey Mossroad. On the old ford SOS, you had to open a traction disconnect linkage at the rear of the tractor so you could tow them. So that must be a very common theme.. thusly, you couldn't pullstart them either.. etc.

Soundguy

Man, I'm learning all kinds of stuff in this discussion.

I need to get out and try the shuttle shift and other types of trannies besides the staight gear and HST. That would be fun.... Again, the subject of a tractor rodeo comes up! What a fun way to compare things. A bunch of TBN folks, a couple dozen tractors, some fields that need mowing, some piles of dirt to move, some sod plowing, etc.... wouldn't that be a heck of a weekend?

 

[SkyPup]

My old Massey 1030 HST has been working just fine for the last 22 years without a single problem.

Won't be long and most all the antiques will be HST!!!

 

[Mith]

I'm the kinda guy who rates a tractor on the number of levers it has (the Kubota was great, I didnt know what some levers did )
When somebody else gets on your tractor its far less impressive to say, press that to go forwards, that to reverse. I like saying, thats the clutch, brake, 2 gear levers, throttle........

I do alot of pushing dirt with a blade, changing gear gets tiring, I grind the gears, I roll down hills......hate it. But I dont think a hydro would stick the abuse.
With my gear if I cant straight pull something I reverse up to it and lauch off in a high gear to jerk it into moving. I shouldnt think you would do that with a hydro many times.
I also dont like the fact that all the engines power cant be transmitted by a hydro, the are losses, and there is no direct link from engine to wheels.

Loader work for sure, hydro. Mowing, hydro. Heavy crush cutting, gear/hydro. Towing, gear. Abuse, gear. Having a more 'tractorlike' tractor, gear. Wheelspins and wheelies, gear

 

[FamilyFarm]

Mith,
Most of your HST concerns are unfounded, but no question not everyone needs or wants the same transmission on a tractor. There may be power loss for the same engine compared to gear, but it's not like you feel the loss when using the tractor. It's not like the engine suddenly bogs down because it has HST. In your example of needing to pull something, I would consider it an advantage that the engine can be revved for max power, get maximum pulling power while still easing the HST pedal in low range - no need for jerking anything, especially if you have 4WD plus differential lock. Why is it necessary to abuse a tractor to use it and how does the hydro get harmed easier? I might be missing something, but I think there is a misconception that the HST unit is not tough. JMHO!
Terry

 

[Soundguy]

The lack of power issue i believe is aimed at the relief setting. There ahve been messages in the past where a tractor was in a low spot and actually couldn't climb out due to relief bypassing.

Aside from that.. i would think the hydro might be easier at starting a heavy rolling load.. etc..

Soundguy

 

[Doc_Bob]

I need to get out and try the shuttle shift and other types of trannies besides the staight gear and HST.

Try a powershuttle (New Holland). They work very well.
Bob

 

[slowrev]

The new synchronized shuttle shift gear trannies are great.

Ben

 

[gaizy]

I have a 1920 2-WD NH and plan on trading it in on a L4330 this weekend. I drove all three models and like the GST and HST over the FST model. I'm leaning towards the HST, even after reading about all the pros and cons posted on this site. I believe it will be great for pulling my LP 2568 finish mower (mow approx. 5-6 acres). I also plan to buy a HD disc harrow and LP 1860 rotary cutter to pull behind the 4330 for my deer food plots.