dt or gst which to shift to

KJN128 · Jul 11, 2002

help,im fixing to get the deal this week puzzled though what is the big diff between dt and gst on a l3010 i do understand how they wrk but in real application and real life will it make a big diff in the advantages of using the tractor other than clutching at times

thanks

radman · Jul 11, 2002

I have had mostly clutch tractors throughout my "tractor career". Currently have a 3710 kub with GST. Clutch systems do just fine. However, the ease of use of the GST is significant. The ability to go forward or backward with is shift of a lever is much easier than clutching especially with loader and some mower work. The ability to shift from higher to lower gear without clutching while moving is also nice. I like my GST but I would also probably like HST.

dgood1 · Jul 11, 2002

Not sure that you meant "dt"? Dt means dual traction or 4 wheel drive according to the glossary in my manual. The GST and HST only come in 4w drive the manual transmission comes either 2w or 4w drive.

When it comes to prefferences there are supporters of all three types of transmissions. I have test driven the GST and HST at my dealer for several hours before I made up my mind. I settled on the GST for my applications. I can see advantages for all 3 types for certain uses.

My best advice is to think about what type of use eg: flat field/plowing/cutting, loader/tight space, etc. Then see if your dealer will let you test drive. Then think about the advantages/disadvanges and test drive again. Repeat as necessary.

Good luck is what other people call your hard work.

Don

JeffRey30747 · Jul 11, 2002

The only real disadvantages to the GST are the increased price and the fact that the transmission itself won't hold the tractor on an incline with the engine switched off. I have something similar to GST in the "powershift" on my little Yanmar. It does come in very useful on it since that tractor doesn't have live PTO. However, since the Grand L series has live PTO, I went with the DT when I bought my L3710.

KJN128 · Jul 11, 2002

thanks jeff for the reply could you tellme why the reasons you went with dt trans, i am looking at a 3010 dt the gst is about 400 more not a great deal of money, i am getting a loader and box blade and rotary cutter i plan to use the tractor all around use.. give me some feed back on this thanks

JeffRey30747 · Jul 12, 2002

GST is a nice feature, but my experience with how I used the Yanmar powershift just didn't justify the added cost. I am accustomed to driving "gear" tractors and found myself still using the clutch in most instances. With the addition of the previously mentioned live PTO on the grand L and the fully sychronized main transmission on the DT, I didn't see as I would be using glide shift that much. My personal opinion is that you should either go DT or Hydrostatic depending on your particular usage style. If you are new to tractors or maybe even to manual transmissions, you wouldn't have such a deeply engrained clutching habit to break and maybe could utilize the GST features a little more than I.
After a long day of using the tractor, I'll get into the truck and try to use my turn signal lever to shuttle myself into reverse! I don't think I need any more complicated controls than I just have to have./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

cisco · Jul 12, 2002

Well, you seem to have made the decision re. hp vs. complete ease of use (hst). I've a gst, and got such over the easier to use, but not by much, hst because I wanted all the pto hp I could muster in a small tractor (have 3410 - if you want more power - the 3010 and the 3410 are the same frame and weight, but ...). Anyhow, there is a clutch pedal on the gst, and you will use it with frequency when you use the loader (to ease the FEL entrance into a pile of dirt, etc). The forward/reverse lever is real handy. Is the gst perfect - easier to use than the dt and the same pto hp, - no, it's not perfect. The synchro is such that with the engine (hence, hydraulic fluid) cold, when you put the steering column-based lever in forward, the tractor will inch forward even if the gear selector is in neutral or zero - that ceases when the unit warms up - also, when one shifts down or up a gear or 2 or 3, "on the fly", it works, but not always - just takes a quick flip of the gear lever back to zero (to reset something or other - I've no clue, but it works) and then on to the gear you desire to remedy the situation, but there is a brief lag, and if you're too sleepy or bored to react, you coast to a stop. So, for jobs with frequent forward/reverse changes - gst, and for jobs of plowing fields for 100's of yards at a time - the less expensive dt.

dgood1 · Jul 12, 2002

Cisco,

One item to add on the GST shifting. When going up a hill it is best to use the clutch/brake then shift and let the clutch out while releasing the brake. If not done this way unpreditcable results may occur.

Don

cisco · Jul 13, 2002

Hmm, don't have any major hills, so haven't encountered the problem - I can see where, if the gst synchro missed, you'd be rolling downhill until remedied - thanks for the "heads up" -I may encounter a steep slope when I help out friends.