Buying a first Tractor; HST or not?

[TxSam]

Grande,

I don't think you 'need' hydro, but I would not own a manual shift without a shuttle. This helped me decide between the TC33D and the TC35. I could get the larger tractor (TC35) with shuttle for about $500 less than the TC33D which has hydro. The TC35 has more loader capacity and ability to use larger implements. (BTW, the TC33, non-D, doesn't have shuttle so you have to reach down between your legs and navigate the 'H' pattern to shift from forward to reverse.)

So, to sum up, get a gear tranny with shuttle. Without shuttle, it is too difficult to reach down all the time to shift from for. to rev. With shuttle, the shifter for fwd/rev is usually up near the steering wheel and is easy to just slide back and forth.

If you can't find the tractor you want with shuttle then go HST.

 

[Miklos]

tdenny

OK, I'm kinda guilty of pimpin' Kioti./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

In my case, this is an oranges to oranges comparision since I am comparing models that I would consider spending my hard earned dollars on. In the end there was the Kioti LK3504, the Kubota L3010 and 2910 that I had to choose from. The L3010 was also a shuttle shift but with the r-4's was too wide for my existing implements.

Happy hunting and let us know what you decide.

 

[Kodiak]

Hi Sam:

Actually my TC29 has the whole gear shift lever to the left of the steering wheel. And although its not a true shuttle shift. 1st and revese are inline up and down from each other. Making it just as easy to go from forward to reverse as a shuttle shift. I beleive the TC33 is the same way.

 

[TxSam]

That is very interesting, it seems I have heard that before about the TC29. I am almost positive that the TC33 I looked at had it down in the middle below the seat. Can anyone else out there comment?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yes, I did look at the Long. The problem for me was the minimal clearance between tire and fender. In VT we need chains in winter and there didn't seem to be enough room.

Grande

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Friends,

I test rode a Massey F. 1433 today. A little high in the $$$ but likeable. 'Cept 1st and 2nd gears don't seem to be synchro., hence a little grinding without double clutching. NH TC33D or maybe 35D and Kubota 3410 (thanks mrP) are looking better all the time. Now where to find a good deal. Is there much to be said for buying locally or does it make sense to by from afar and have it shipped to save a little money? If so, where do you find a good dealer who's willing to ship?

Grande

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Check out the Kubota L3410 and L3710. They sound like what you are looking for. I have a L3410 and it has been rock solid for the three years I have owned it. Oh, yeah, they have a $1,400 rebate until the end of July.

Yeah, if you can find one..... All te dealers up here in Upstate NY are tapped. There's only one around with a lot of stock, and no one likes their primary sales guy. Pushy, arrogant, etc.

As for the TC29, the 8x8 has the shifter on the floor between your legs. Did I just advise?? Hey, look at that - I learnin'
Nope, just been sleeping with these brochures is all.

 

[frank_f15]

granted , sometimes the time factor is not important, but for me the ease of operation of the hst is my choice! also as u get older u always want to make things easier, the old arms and legs ain't what they used to be.. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[MossRoad]

I agree with the safety issue. While I can drive gears, I mentioned in the past that I have a problem with popping clutches and lurching forward, stuff like that. I was just out mowing with my PT425 and I had one hand on the wheel and one foot on each pedal; that's it. No clutching, braking, shifting, etc... felt great.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

i just purchased a Mahindra 4110 with fel,Have you looked at the Mahindra line yet? I have looked at alot of others, kioti, century, jd, etc. i think that mahindra has alot to offer, nice machine, heavier, well laid out controls, good financing etc. I got mine in Connecticut, i know there were several dealers in the big truck and equipment trader. i love the tractor,i think you would once you tried one. but they dont have hydro yet, soon they said. but it has 12 spd with shuttle, works nice, easy to operate and alot cheaper than the hydro's. i drove the hydro's, don't get mr wrong they are nice too, but this does everthing i want .

 

[Alan L.]

If you plan to do work that requires changing direction or changing speeds often then go with HST. Although mowing at at a constant speed would seem to be fine with a gear tractor, I find that I have to change speeds a lot due to thicker material, terrain, etc. With the HST its just a matter of pressure on the pedal while the engine and mower speed stays the same. With a gear, you have to shift up and down to change speeds.

Using the FEL or box blade you will find yourself going back and forth and after a couple of hours fatigue will become more of a factor with a gear tractor than HST.

Also, the HST is safer. If you fall off the tractor it will stop. Letting off the pedal is almost like pushing the brake.

Since I change implements by myself, I push the HST pedal while standing beside the tractor to make minute adjustments. I'm too old to be getting on and off the tractor for this.

The HST is critical when doing fine work with the FEL, like trying to dump something in the back of your shiny new pickup without damaging it.

The HST is reportedly very reliable, moreso than clutches on gear tractors. My dealer says about HST "Thay don't break", which is probably an exaggeration, but they rarely give trouble.

If I was doing mostly plowing or mowing on flat level ground and no FEL work, the extra power of a gear tranny might be worthwhile.

With HST, using the FEL, you can steer with one hand and operate the FEL with the other, and use your foot to go forward or backward. No need to take your hand off the joystick.

 

[Boondox]

Grande -- Not familiar with your southern location /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif, but Townline near Lebanon NH is a straight shooter and a nice place for service after the sale. Gary from Essex Equip comes highly recommended as well; I've bought several implements and gotten service from them -- really a top notch outfit.

I bought my L3010 from Carver. It was a pleasure doing business with him, but of course you have to make other arrangements for service.

If you make it up to Lamoille County before you buy, you could put my Clementine through her paces. If you seemed like a nice guy I might even let you mow my field, harvest a few logs for firewood, and dig some holes with the backhoe. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Pete

 

[cowboydoc]

"Since I change implements by myself, I push the HST pedal while standing beside the tractor to make minute adjustments. I'm too old to be getting on and off the tractor for this."


I think Pete mentioned this aspect of a hydro as well. Now I honestly don't mean to start a fight or to put you guys down at all. You guys are great and I just want to point out something.

In the same post about talking about how much safer the hydro is over the gear tractor you guys are talking about being on the ground in front of the tractor and using the hydro to move the tractor forward and backward. I don't think this is safe at all. You never know what will happen. A guy should be on the tractor to make the adjustments if you really worry about safety. I mean yes it's fine that you do it and I'm not getting on you for doing I'm just pointing out that it doesn't matter if you have hydro or gear safety is safety. If you operate your tractor in a safe manner it really won't matter if you have a gear or an hst. Whether you have either one you can get hurt if you don't practice safety. That's a perfect point of something you wouldn't think of doing on a gear tractor but because you have more comfort with the hst it's done.

 

[rancar]

I have eHydro on my 4710. I enjoy it greatly. It makes it so much easier doing loader work and allows one to focus on job at hand rather than constantly ****ing with clutch tranny. I recognize it costs more and power is compromised but I think for me it's worth it.

 

[JerryG]

<font color=blue>Also, the HST is safer. If you fall off the tractor it will stop. Letting off the pedal is almost like pushing the brake.</font color=blue>

Don't ALL tractors sold in the U.S. have a safety switch on the seat?

 

[chim]

Real tractors don't have switches on the seats................chim

 

[Anonymous Poster]

you guys are talking about being on the ground in front of the tractor and using the hydro to move the tractor forward and backward. I don't think this is safe at all

You can not be in front of the tractor or behind the tractor to do this...how are you going to reach the pedals unless your arms are 6' long,you would have to stand by the side of the tractor to do this...besides if something did happen as soon as you let go of the pedal or the seat the tractor will stop....

 

[gerard]

I think they're talking about reaching in from the SIDE of the tractor to move the peddle a little to line up when hooking up the implement. You're probably talking about moving an inch at most. (I have a gear and I do the same thing by physically turning the rear wheel just to move the tractor a little.

 

[Carl_NH]

Alan,

Couldn't agree more with each point you make, as I have had 4 gear tractors over the years and now have HST.

I too stand beside the tractor to fine position for 3PT connections as well when on the BH re-position w/o leaving the seat saves a lot of time. My arms are long /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Carl

 

[Bird]

Yep, you got us there, Richard./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Using your hand on the hydro pedal while standing on the ground ain't the "recommended" or safest way; however, with the tractor idling, the range selector in the lowest range, and standing beside the tractor (on the right side), I've done it, too, while being real careful about where my toes were./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif