Laderbuilt
Bronze Member
I think you have quite a bit wrong wrong here:
QUOTE=Laderbuilt;4649525]I've never owned a HST so I can't speak about how they work for pulling. Mine is a shuttle shift and I've been happy with my choice. I chose it for the following reasons.
First: it doesn't add additional "stress" on the fluid. A HST uses the hydraulic fluid to operate, this puts more wear on the fluid and can cause much higher oil temps and in severe cases fluid failure "one of the reasons Kubota developed SUDT fluid was the BX series getting insanely hot.
Stress on the fluid? The fluid is designed to be used in this situation. If Kubota had a problem it was because of their design. If HST was a problem in the industry then huge excavators and Caterpillars, Bobcats, etc wouldn't be using it. It is NOT and issue with the Mahindra or any other brands that I know of.
Second: I get slightly more PTO HP since there isn't as much of a loss going thru a standard geared setup as a HST.
That is true.
Third: on the shuttle shift the PTO works even when I'm stationary and in neutral. I cant recall this for certain but I believe it works even when I push in the clutch. Something on the HST doesn't work this same way but I can't recall exactly what it is.
With an HST you do not need to press the clutch to stop so the pto runs all the time, except when disengaged or when you press the clutch.
Fourth: it was less money to buy a gear over a HST.
Fifth: and perhaps my biggest reason was simplicity. A straight forward geared setup should be reliable over the long term and less to go wrong. I am a heavy wheeled mechanic for tractor trailers not equipment but I used that knowledge to think this part thru. I am not saying HST setups will fail or are week but they are more sensitive to certain things and can be less forgiving as well as more money to repair.
An hst has far fewer moving parts than a standard shift and especially a shuttle shift. No clutching is necessary to use it so there is no clutch wear. the clutch is actually only used when starting to satisfy the safety switch and when you press it to temporarily stop the pto.... which many people don't even use. They are more 'sensitive' only to keeping the fluid clean which you would do on any tractor if you maintain it properly. It's not even a consideration.
Please remember that some of these are my thoughts that got me to make my decision.
you should have researched your 'thoughts' a little more, and you might be enjoying the benefits of an HST right now.
I will also add I can see some big benefits to a HST. it's much easier for them to get the "right" traveling speed.
right, you can also keep a constant pto speed and make the tractor go any speed you want. And your speed is infinitely variable at all times.
If your doing a lot of forward then reverse and back it would be much smoother and perhaps faster then the geared.
theres' no perhaps about it
I'm sure others can chime in on other things but those two are what I've noticed would be improved on from a simple operators point of view.
They are, on average about $1k more than a geared machine, but in the overall pricing scheme of a tractor purchase, it's a pretty small investment... and well worth it.
There are many reasons an hst is 'better' than a gear. Most will agree, hence the sales numbers, some will not. Those who do not agree, are wrong.
[/QUOTE]I agree with some of what your saying but not all. Yes I say perhaps because I don't have first hand experience operating a HST. So forgive me if I won't make it look like I know all.
You set out and did your research good for you but don't think I didn't do mine. We each set out with different criteria and got the information we needed to make our decision. Don't belittle my conclusion just because we don't agree.
I see a lot of old tractors still running going back to early days and there geared. To me geared units have a proven track record even though it has more parts those parts have proven themselves over time.
If you go buy sales numbers you would think that a automotive CVT transmission is better then a standard or automatic and that is not the case!
It may be smoother and get better fuel economy but there not better in service life or repair. As of yet and I do admit there getting better with each generation but still have a long way to go. They are sensitive to fluid contamination and degradation. Are more money to repair VS the other two. Most are even built as throwaway units.
Yes I have a clutch and have to use it, that's ok operated properly a clutch will run for a looooooong time before needing to be replaced.
I looked into several tractor brands and most people who complained about major trans issues it was a HST. It cost more to repair the HST vs the common issues with geared. HST also would have required a couple of special tools and a diagnostic information I don't have for me to diagnose and repair vs the geared. Since I planned on doing the work myself this was important.
There are more complaints on HST's compared to geared units WHEN there is a complaint. Ive talked to four separate service departments and techs. Two Mahindra one John dear and one Kubota my question was how is the HST. Same answer at all of them. There good,really nice to operate.
My next question was what do you have more issues with a HST or Geared. No hesitation HST! I got common failures then quotes from the service department on cost to repair such failures for both geared and HST setups.
I THEN CHOSE GEARED. I've been very happy with my choice. I will admit they may be seeing more HST issues because they do sell more, so more units stack the numbers. However after working on big trucks though automatics are not super common they definitely had issues and those issues where serious not something small like a clutch adjustment.
I wish all tractor owners no matter the setup to have a long trouble free tractor. Most will experience that both HST and Geared owners alike. May you keep all four wheels the right way round
