Anyone ever regretted buying a HST?

[rScotty]

I'll be buying a 40-45 hp tractor later this year. Have any of you regretted buying a tractor in this power range with an HST? If so, why did you regret it?

If you did buy one with a HST still happy with your choice?

I can only answer the last part of your question. I've had the HST+ transmission in a 60 hp Kubota M59 for ten years now. This is a heavy TLB type tractor used mostly for moving rock and dirt. Construction and landscaping type work. Lots of loader work. The HST is just fantastic. It has noticibly more usable power than a glideshift/powershift or straigt geared tractor because HST has the ability to self-adjust it's internal ratio to match the load.
HST is perhaps slightly less fuel efficient, but the trade-off is getting so much more work done with less effort and less wear & tear on the machine.

For comparison, I also have both straight geared, and powershift/glideshift tractors. Yesterday we used all off them for loader work. There's just no comparison.

However, from the standpoint of engineering and manufacture, a HST is a complex transmission with very close tolerances required special alloys. That adds to the price of the tractor. I don't mind that, but would be very leary of buying a HST in an economy tractor. The HST is a place a manufacturer can save a lot of money, but it's exactly the place where you want them to be spending it.
A HST also makes heat, and the transmission cooler is another place a manufacturer can save money. And again, it's an area where you want them spending money; not saving it. Coolers need to be thick alloy and well protected. Because of peculiarities of heat transfer, they generally need to be oversized as well. My advice is if buying a HST, go with known top quality.
And once you get your HST, change oil at 50 hrs. and then regularly. Using the best trans/hydraulic oil in a HST is also an higher expense. You can feed an old straight gear tractor just about any transmission oil as long as it has some oil in there - and a glideshift is simply a straight gear tranny with internal clutch packs. The tolerate a wider range of oils. But the HST should have the best oil.

I see that Yanmar has a different type transmission, but I haven't studied it. However, Yanmar is known to be both innovative and top quality. And they have a history of bringing out new things. So I agree it is worth a look.
rScotty

 

[k0ua]

I have several of both, hydro and geared tractors...

The BIG thing about hydro's is, all that hydro whine! If you are out there working for hours, it drives you nuts!

SR

And the next big thing to remember is that the hydro whine on some tractors is negligible. Near non existent. Like my Kioti for instance. The only time you hear any hydro whine is when you are in too high of a range, causing the hydro to work too hard. Like going up a steep hill in HI range. Otherwise no hydro whine.

 

[TomIre]

I have several of both, hydro and geared tractors...

The BIG thing about hydro's is, all that hydro whine! If you are out there working for hours, it drives you nuts!

SR

Agree on the whine! Didn't notice it so much until bush hogging all afternoon. I'll be wearing noise cancelling headphones and listen to a podcast next time!
Having said that, I sort of reluctantly ended up with HST on my tractor. Now, very happy with it. All I can say is do whatever it takes to get cruise installed.
I'll be interested to see if anyone regrets it and why.

 

[ericm979]

Cruise and linked throttle are both very useful features on an HST. Cruise holds the HST pedal in place so you don't have to hold it down all the time. Linked throttle raises the throttle when you apply the HST pedal, so you don't have to use the hand throttle and set the RPMs high.

 

[kenmac]

I bought an MX5100 HST not long ago. So far I like it. I just can't seem to break myself from always wanting to push in the clutch. LOL

 

[nybirdman]

I have used geared tractors(my son still owns one),much prefer the Kubota HST+.

 

[Thomas]

For the tractor work I do it was wise to HST,plus easer on the knees.

 

[cphilip]

Nope, Just regret the years spent with gear tractors.

Same here...

 

[Buggs67]

I agree about the whine. I've seen some people say certain tractor fluids will make it whine less and I may try that on my next fluid change (about 75 hrs away). But I usually wear earmuffs with speakers in them connected to my music player so that doesn't matter much.

As this is my first tractor and it's HST I can't be much of an expert, but, when I was using it for moving/removing snow and doing FEL work I appreciated not having to shift gears. And while mowing it's great to be able to back and forth to make sharp turns and go around the trees. My lot is big enough to need a 5' mower deck but still needs lost of maneuvering. I'd buy a ZTM but the money is too much since I got a used Land Pride finish mower for only $500.

 

[RandyinTN]

Thanks for the info and keep the comments coming. Even though most of my uses will be using the FEL or back hoe a couple of old school guys were trying to talk me out of buying a HST model.