B3200

[MikeInEburg]

OK look I was looking for a cross section of opinions and only got pro HST You all know that there are problems with both. You would have to be in a state of denial if you think that HST have no or very few issues. For the most part I agree if you have a toy tractor HST is great, but for the the realy day in and day out ones I believe the gear is better. I'm not trying to sway anyone and I realy don't care what you own, if your happy with it great. Don't put me down for asking a question.

First - no one should put you down for asking a question. Further, you should be respectful of those who have answered. I think the best part of this forum is the underlying mutual respect that folks have for each other.

Second - I respectfully disagree with your assessment "You would have to be in a state of denial if you think that HST have no or very few issues". The resounding answer you're getting here is that folks who use HST every day disagree. This is their opinion, but that is mostly what a forum is about... I will grant that HST is the "new kid on the block" as compared to gear. However, for the work that I do, I'd never go back to gear.

Cheers!
Mike

 

[boxygen]

Your right! I'm now seeing all of the problems you mention. You need to buy the geared tractor, I believe it will be the best one for you. The geared tractors never tear up and last forever. No one has ever had a problem with a geared tractor. That's the one to buy for happiness forever. GO GEARED!!![/QUOTE

I totally agree! No one has ever had a clutch stick, or have a throwout bearing wear out doing loader work after 500 hours, had their neighbor smoke the clutch by riding it, had the shift boot wear out and let water inside the transmission. Plus splitting a tractor in two is as easy as changing the oil. Those things just DONT HAPPEN, EVER. In fact, I made them up. Gear's rule!

 

[art]

Well you asked what problems. Perhaps you all should read the thread below mine BX2200, talking about their HST problems, but then again I'm just looking for someone to agree with my concern I guess

I can understand what you are going through as many others have had questions as well.

Some people can only move in certain ways do to injuries of muscles or bones and some have never had much flexibility. Some can move well but they just have issues with size!
Let me tell you what I''ve noticed about compact tractors that have been sold and what we've had in the shop so far this year. Bear in mind that from 50 horse down 95% of our sales are hydro!

One hydro repair (under warrantee)
Two clutch jobs on gear drives--- a four and five year old.
One shifting fork bent--- six year old
Both clutch jobs were obvious do to the petal wear
Shifting fork was done by a neighbor.

Proper training is critical on both styles of transmissions and there is not one seat to fit all!!!!

I would lay odds on it that with some patience you would enjoy a hydro!

 

[8x56mn]

Thanks Art, that certainly explanes it in a far more cival way and that was what I was looking for in the original post. I have only owned gear and have really had not issues ever with the clutch as I know how to operate them. Yes HST are way easier to operate for the weekend warriors, no question. My concern was how reliable they are. I rented a Bobcat once and was scarred to death with a runaway with a loaded bucket and destroyed a few hundred dollors worth of dog fencing. before it stopped, yes my fault, all I had to do was let go of the levers and not step on what I thought was the brake Anyway thanks to all for the feed back, I'm going out to try a new tractor today and probably will bring one home.

 

[bstrom]

The mechanic that came out and did my 50 hr. service on my b2620 (HST) said he thinks the geared tractors pull better. He had a fire wood operation for awhile and skidded logs out with a couple different tractors. Seems like anecdotal evidence to me but could be true. I have heard it before. I know when I switched from a standard shift truck to an automatic it seemed like the automatic had less power even with a bigger engine. It's just a different feel though is what I ended up thinking. Maybe the same with tractors. That said I would go insane in the tight areas I have working with the front loader, rear blade and a geared instead of HST tractor.

I should add that he had no issues with reliability differences and had owned both types. He's worked on enough of them to, been a dealer mechanic for many years.

 

[sms0000]

I am new to tractors and I just purchased an B3200 HST, I only have few hrs on it but for my needs it was the way to go. I drives real nice and I have no complaints so far.

 

[brandoro]

I now own my third tractor, it could be considered the tie breaker. My first tractor was gear and had two problems during the 13 years I owned it, the first I think was caused by the original owner and took a while to surface but nothing to do with transmission type. The second problem was a failure of the clutch disc spline. It must have been too hard? I'm guessing here but I winched the tractor onto the trailer and took it to the dealer and when they split it they found everything else in very nice condition but the spline was gone from the center of the disc just like it had been machined out. The shaft was okay so the only part that needed to be changed was the disc but I still had to pay the time to split the tractor.
Second tractor was a B7610 HST, the first 100 hours was all BH and FEL work right around the house. It was great, would have driven me crazy doing that in such tight quarters with a gear trans. Kept it four years, only problem was a hydraulic leak caused by them using an incorrect fitting when they installed the FEL.
Third tractor is a B3030HSDC, I really just wanted the heated cab but I didn't even ask if there was one available with a gear trans.
My opinion, for what most of us us our CUTs for, the hydrostatic trans is the most user friendly. Much easier to creep up to something with a bucket full of anything, you can keep the PTO running at rated speed and slow the travel speed down when mowing around obstacles or match your travel speed to the amount of snow you are moving with the blower. Using the snow blower with the gear trans was usually a challenge, I was most often either going too fast or too slow.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Well for sure there are 5 who love the HST. have you read through the hundreds of threads talking about all the issues around HST, starting with the rediculous cost of the 50 hour sevice, or the runaway tractors or the the neck jerking when you change directions, or the sticking pedals just to name but a few. Common people there are issues.

Thanks Art, that certainly explanes it in a far more cival way and that was what I was looking for in the original post.

8x56mn If you will go back to your original post and then follow the answers you will see that all answers were civil with owners experience and preferance. You then responded that the 5 had quite obviously not read all the bad about HST's which is a pretty strong implication that the 5 needed to wake up. Read your response and tell me that it is a positive response to the 5 that gave you their opinion. You could have thanked us for our opinion instead of attacking our intelligence or good sense.
Go buy that tractor and hope you get the geared one you want.

 

[8x56mn]

I think you just love to have the last word. I believe I said thanks to all.

 

[easygo]

I think your concerns are shared by many of us here who never dealt with a HST tractor before buying one. I for one was very hesitant to get one but spent lots of hours reading here before I came to accept the idea that I will have a no-shift machine. I HATE automatic cars and never owned one. However I came to like and trust the HST in my tractor. Sometimes I wish for a gear tranny but that is just for the sake of habit instead of need.

Good luck and have fun.

PS: Just ask away. People here are passionate about their hobbies and likes. Sometimes it can feel a bit harsh, but I'v never seen advice given to steer someone to make a bad decision.