Buying new tractor L4610 or M4900

[JATO_RaT]

Jeff, my feeling is similar to yours. I too am leaning towards the L4610 HST. I had my doubts when the L48 came out, it is a very nice and heavy tractor, just more then I want or need to spend. One more thing that needs mentioning is the great hydrostatic drive on the Kubota. In my opinion, no one makes a better or even comparable one to the Kubota. I also like the engine in the Kubota. While I am certainly not discounting the JD's or NH's for that matter, I like the Kubotas best. Kubota does design and build their own engines and you can find them in most all of the Bobcat equipment. Rat...

 

[TREEFARMER2]

Thanks for all the input, still have a question though. Talked to the dealer today and he has a GST L4610 in stock. Sounds like the GST and HST would function about the same. Why would you choose the HST over the GST?

 

[JATO_RaT]

Huge difference. Dealers I have talked are saying pretty much everyone is convinced now that hydrostatic is the only way to go. I believe it was Rich on this forum that bought a 4610 with GST against a number of peoples advice. He had it a short time and the dealer let him return it for an HST. I certainly am not saying GST is bad, it is good, but the HST is really the best of all worlds. Biggest drawback might be some loss in power at the PTO. I'll let others tell you the difference between HST and all the other transmission types. Try a HST tractor even if it is not a 4610, you will get a feel for it. Rat...

 

[JeffInDaUP]

TREEFARMER2,
The one person around these parts, that I know of, who purchased a GST(actually it was on a L4610) talked the dealer into taking it back for an HST after only 3 days. My dealer up here told me "flat-out" that I did not want the GST.
You do loose a little bit of PTO HP, but with that size of tractor I can't see that you would notice a difference with the implements you could possibly use.
Although, I am someone who has never owned either, but that HST was great to drive, and from all accounts it sounds very reliable. I know there are people that post here that love their GST, but I wonder how many of them have owned the HST. Might consider resale value as well.

Jeff...MI.

 

[HR_Mutt]

TREEFARMER2
I talked to a lot of dealers before purchasing a L4610 HST, every one of them offered a better deal on the GST. Might it be extra inventory in the GST department? Just a thought. Even though I've never owned the GST model I stayed w/HST.This leaves your left hand free and clear to steer. Need more forward speed...right foot accelerates. Good Luck with your decision.
Mutt

 

[GlueGuy]

My neighbor has an L35TLB with the GST. He doesn't really care for it. It's easy to shift and all that, but when you change gears, there's an annoying "pause" between engagement. Fine if you are on level ground, but we have precious little of that around where we live (level ground that is). When you're going downhill, and decide you need a lower gear, there's a second or two when it's disengaged, and you think you're heading for the next county!!!! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Scary.

My little B7500 has HST, and it's perfect for this situation. I suppose geared would be OK too, depending on the workload...

The GlueGuy

 

[cowboydoc]

I don't know if there's any truth to this or not and it may just be the JD hydrostat or the fact that my dealer didn't want me to buy the hydrostat, but when I bought my tractor the dealer told me that with the work that I was going to be doing with that tractor to not get a hydrostat. He said for light loads and light work the hydrostat was fine but if you are going to be using it heavy then definitely go with the gear drive. I also didn't like the loss in hp going using the pto.

 

[Driver]

I thought I'd jump in here as a long-term lurker who has finally registered. An important HST question: How well do PTO driven implements function when you are at the rated limits of PTO horsepower? For example, how well might a L4610HST handle a heavy duty bush hog rated at 40 PTO horsepower minimum. (L4610HST PTO horsepower is 39) I understand that with HST, you can compensate to a substantial extent by slowing your rate of travel. Does anyone have experience with this kind a power matchup?

Driver

 

[Bird]

Driver, in my opinion, you just answered your own question. You might have to go a little slower; otherwise I wouldn't be concerned about it.

Bird

 

[Driver]

Thanks Bird. I would like to be able to run the heaviest bush hog that the 4610 will handle.

Driver