Anyone ever regretted buying a HST?

[4570Man]

Just the cost to repair if/when repair needed.

I've rebuilt/repaired ancient gear transmissions... not sure if I would be able on a Hydro

Not exactly a fair comparison. Not that many members here will be around then, but good luck rebuilding a modern gear tractor in 50 years. Once you get done with that you can come rebuild my all electric over hydraulic man lift.

 

[k0ua]

Just the cost to repair if/when repair needed.

I've rebuilt/repaired ancient gear transmissions... not sure if I would be able on a Hydro

Why would you think that? A hydro unit is quite a bit simpler than a nice synchronized Gear transmission. And a Kubota Glideshift is about 10 times more complicated than a hydro. Not that there is anything wrong with gear transmission, or Glideshifts either. But don't be thinking that a hydro is more complicated that a gear transmission, because they are not. The tolerances are much tighter, the fluid needs to be much cleaner, it has an extra filter, and needs a cooling system, but a hydro is pretty simple in concept.

 

[ultrarunner]

I restore antique equipment and have rebuilt a number of manual transmissions domestic and foreign... very straight forward... even Japanese into the late 1980's model year.

A trend in the automotive world is to exchange automatic transmissions... several friends with German cars with auto transmissions just out of warranty were looking at 6 to 8k and the new car dealers wouldn't open the case... only factory exchange.

I have a Deere 110 that the Dealer thought lost the Hydro... quote was also 6 to 8k for repair...

Through TBN I did my own research and found a $40 flywheel sensor failure could mimic a bad Hydro...

As far a cars/tractors... I still have my first, second, third, etc... cars. my second car bought for $200 is a 57 Ford and I was 15... my first is a Model A Ford... bought at 13... all very simple.

My Grandparents 1950 Tractor is still in service and my brothers 1949 Farmall is still earning it's keep... all manual transmission.

Simplicity with durable material is a good indicator for longevity...

The newer tractors/vehicles are becoming computers on wheels...

Seen too many vehicles... some in show room condition junked for electronic problems... once the warranty is over.

My Deere 110 requires programming for the transmission and something I considered when buying.

 

[k0ua]

But if your hydro was worn out, why would you not attempt a rebuild? My point is that it is NOT complicated.

 

[k0ua]

I contend that "complexity" and "unable to be serviced by mere mortals" is mostly perception. Sure some things require special tools and techniques, but a hydro is not one of them.

I now have some experience replacing SMD (Surface Mount Devices) in two way radios. I would not have even attempted this a few years ago. Just to complicated, too small, requires special equipment, blah, blah,blah. Yet I have been able to do it after watching some youtube videos, and then some hands on experience. So far I have been able to replace a 100 pin chip abut 1/4 the size of a postage stamp, a transistor the size of a very small seed tick and a choke about the size of two periods side by side on this page. ..

My point is, these things CAN be done by old men. The first step is you have to want to do it, and the second step is you have to believe you can do it, and the third step is JUST DO IT.

All I am saying is don't hesitate in doing something you have never done before just because you think it is hard..

 

[MossRoad]

...

My point is, these things CAN be done by old men. ....

Lipitor and Viagara!!! :thumbsup: :laughing:

Just kidding.... there was an article in our local paper yesterday about a guy I know that built his own 3D printer two years ago after getting some pointers from his son. Then he used that printer to build parts for two more 3D printers, and now makes all kinds of stuff for family and friends..... he's 87! :laughing: I had the pleasure of working with him for 2 years back in the late 80's right before he retired. We got ahold of 36 new-fangled programmable logic controllers, developed a program, pulled in 57 miles of wire, a couple hundred relays, several dozen pumps, liquid proximity switches, and wired an entire 27 unit 4-color printing press. I did all of the mechanical work, and he did the logic work. We both did the actual wiring. He taught me logic programming and I taught him to weld with a torch.

Anyhow, you're never too old to learn something new and worth-while. :thumbsup:

 

[mercdv]

I cannot comment on a tractor in the range you are talking but I will say this... Yes, the HST has a whine to it but if you are wearing hearing protection on an open cab model you shouldn't really hear it at all. My little tractor whines a lot because I operate it very close to max lifting/pulling range quite often. I really need a larger tractor but with my hearing protection on I can barely even hear the whine. If I have my earbuds in, I can't hear it at all. Just wanted to point that out if you are the type to wear hearing protection while on your tractor. Of course it isn't always safe to wear hearing protection when others are working in close proximity to you while operating the tractor but for me that is rare so I almost always have them on.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My only regert is not buying a snickers.
I never noticed the hydro whine until i recorded video while using it. You hear it on the recording.

 

[HEC]

All I can say is the Kubota rep was at the dealer when I bought my M5700 and he said , "if you do lots of field plowing or lots of hauling on a regular basis you are better off with a gear tranny of some type " . I went with the hydro shift and love it .

 

[cdaigle430]

Never had a problem with HST. I prefer it over manual any day.