Grand L 40s - HST Plus

[texasjohn]

DonR, is your tractor an HST? Is this your first HST? What you are describing could be the result of running your HST in too high a gear... after some experimentation, I learned when to run in L or M or H.... if in too high a gear, it lugs down under severe load. I would think that shredding would need to be in L range at 2000+ rpm.

 

[Don R.]

2nd HST. I had to run the tractor in low/low, at less than one mph to keep the tractor from stalling. The 2800 blew through it like butter. If I had been in any lower gear, I would have been in reverse.

 

[john_bud]

That doesn't sound right! Please post back with the dealers findings.

jb

 

[TalonDancer]

... The 44hp tractor had less pull power on the brush hog than the little 28hp I traded in. I mowed a 5 acre tract, and 9 hours and 16 gallons of diesel I was through; with the tract and the new 4240. The lack of power and tendency to stall where the 2800 bulldozed through the same weeds adn grass was the deal killer. After the dealer told me repeatedly that "nothing was wrong", I sent it back, and await the dealer's reply on Monday.

I have ZERO experience using ANY mower with a tractor. But I'm still surprised that your L4240 was less capable than your L2800.

AFAIK the L4240's HST works the same as an L2800 HST, unless you use the "HST Plus" features (e.g. Stall Guard, H-DS, Auto Throttle, etc.).

What were your HST settings when you were having problems mowing?

Talon Dancer

 

[Don R.]

Stall guard: off
Throttle: manual

Oh, I forgot to mention. The tractor ran hotter than usual from the minute that they delivered it from the dealership.

 

[TalonDancer]

HST Plus Follow-up

I now have over 100 hours on my GL3240 and the Auto-Throttle has been ON for the last 50+ hours. The trick to making Auto-throttle useful 100% of the time was adjusting the Auto-throttle linkage as suggested by a couple of very helpful TBNers in another thread.

The GL 40's engine throttle is controlled by two cables. They are "attached" so that either or both of them can be used to increase the engine speed. One cable is permanently connected to the hand throttle. The other is optionally connected to the HST pedal via the Auto-throttle lever. You can adjust the Auto-throttle cable so that the HST pedal does not begin to increase the engine speed until after the tractor begins moving (forward or reverse). The result is that with Auto-throttle ON a GL 40 starts moving as if you had the hand throttle set to idle but as you continued to press down on the HST pedal you simultaneously pulled back on the hand throttle.

So contrary to my previous post...
the GL 40s HST Plus CAN function much like the throttle on the L39's GST. The main difference being the number of "gears" you can select without stopping. The GST allows you to select any of 12 forward (8 reverse) without stopping. Although the GL40s HST Plus has 6 forward (6 reverse) settings, you can only select 2 forward (2 reverse) of them via the D-HS lever (rabbit-turttle) without stopping. But you also have a variable "overdrive" range in forward (AKA Cruise Control).

IOW the GL40's HST Plus Auto-throttle cable can be adjusted so that with the HST lever set to M, you can use the HST pedal, H-DS toggle and Cruise Control to approximate an L39's Throttle/GST ranges from 4-8. In L the HST Plus approximates a GST 1-4, etc.

FWIW if I need more power (e.g. a very heavily loaded FEL, pushing into a pile of heavy soil, etc ) I just pull back on the hand throttle before stepping on the HST. This has the effect of setting the minimum engine speed (AKA power) but still allows the HST pedal to act as a throttle above that minimum RPM.

Talon Dancer

ps Many thanks to the helpful TBNers that gave me the tip required to make my GL3240 work like I orginally expected

 

[gilliganfarmer]

I'm looking at getting a l3940 or maybe a l4240 is the HST plus optional?

It doesn't sound like you guys are loving and maybe I can do with out it. I have never used HST just regular clutch and shift tractors.

If it is optional would you get it again?

 

[davitk]

I'm looking at getting a l3940 or maybe a l4240 is the HST plus optional?

It doesn't sound like you guys are loving and maybe I can do with out it. I have never used HST just regular clutch and shift tractors.

If it is optional would you get it again?

HST Plus is the only way hst comes on the 40 series.

I am buying one. I think what you are reading here are posts from someone who wants to have their cake and eat it too..... and found a way.

 

[TalonDancer]

I'm looking at getting a l3940 or maybe a l4240 is the HST plus optional?

It doesn't sound like you guys are loving and maybe I can do with out it. I have never used HST just regular clutch and shift tractors.

If it is optional would you get it again?

The L3940 and 4240 both offer the GST tranny as an option. It's more like a manual tranny in that you use the clutch more and shift "gears" BUT it is also like a automatic in that you can up shift and downshift while moving without using the clutch. You actully need to drive one to understand how they work.

BUT the HST Plus can be used _exactly_ like a 'normal' HST, if you don't bother to fiddle with the D-HS toggle on the steering column or the Auto Throttle switch.

... I think what you are reading here are posts from someone who wants to have their cake and eat it too..... and found a way.

Exactly!
After I got the HST throttle linkage adjusted the way I like it, the HST Plus is great. It now provides the ease of use of a 'normal' HST with most of the features of the GST - auto throttle and (limited) shifting on the fly.

Talon Dancer

 

[hayden]

I'm not following your description of how the cruise control works. On my B2910, the Cruise Control is just another way to depress the HST peddle. As I recall it's a mechanical linkage.

Does the Cruise Control work differently on the Grand L40s? You've refered to it as an "overdrive"?

Thanks,

Peter

 

[davitk]

I think it is electronically linked - tap the brakes and it disengages vs the L3400 where you have to stomp on the pedal......

That's about all I know and probably doesn't answer your queation, but hey, now I've got 103 posts.

 

[gilliganfarmer]

Unfortunately I can't try the GST or the HST cause the closest dealer is on another island. Even though I am considering it.

My father was up in NC and he got to test drive the HST and he liked it. He said it was different but he could get used to it.

The dealers seem to promote the HST.

For my situation I need a machine that will not need major repairs because there is no bringing the tractor back to dealer. I was wondering if it would be odd to ask the dealer to do a serious test drive to make sure all things are running as they should before they ship it out? What do you guys think?

 

[TalonDancer]

I'm not following your description of how the cruise control works. On my B2910, the Cruise Control is just another way to depress the HST peddle. As I recall it's a mechanical linkage.

Does the Cruise Control work differently on the Grand L40s? You've refered to it as an "overdrive"?

The Grand L's "Cruise Control" works differently depending on whether Auto Throttle is ON or OFF.

When Auto Throttle is OFF, it works as you describe. IOW you can use the Cruise Control lever to set a roughly constant travel speed and take your foot off the HST pedal. Note the engine RPM is controlled by the hand throttle.

But with Auto Throttle ON, the Cruise Control lever acts more like an 'overdrive' lever. IOW you can NOT use the Cruise Control lever to set a constant speed and take your foot off the HST pedal. Because when you take your foot off the HST pedal, the engine speed drops to idle and the tractor slows to a crawl. But you CAN use the Cruise Control to lower the engine RPM needed to reach (or hold) a particular travel speed or increase the travel speed for a particular engine RPM.

For example, the way I have my Auto Throttle cable adjusted, I can be traveling at 4 mph in M at roughly 2,000 RPM. If I hold the HST pedal constant and push the Cruise Control lever all the way forward, the travel speed increases to just under 6 mph at the same RPM. Or I can back off the HST pedal and continue traveling at 4 mph. at roughly 1,500 RPM

Talon Dancer

ps I suspect that the Cruise Control lever actually does the same thing whether Auto Throttle is on or off. BUT the result is different when the HST pedal is controlling BOTH the HST and throttle.

 

[gilliganfarmer]

According to one of the dealers with the HST you can go as slow as you like.

For some of the implements I may need to go as slow as 1mph. The specs only show the GST going that slow.

Does any one know if the HST can really go that slow?

 

[texasjohn]

THERE IS NO QUESTION.... YOU CAN GO SO SLOW YOU CAN'T MEASURE THE SPEED IN 3 DECIMALS OF MPH

That, IMHO, is a little understood feature of HST... you can go so slow, forward or reverse, that it literally moves quarter of inches per minute.

This gives you EXTREME precision in placing your implements. I have placed 2800 lb concrete blocks within 1/4 inch of a nail coming out of a fence post...intentionally... using hand signals to my buddy who was driving and taking my direction....The HST is EXTREMELY SAFE to use with somebody on the ground in front of the tractor precicely because it can move so slow... and no foot will ever slip off a clutch.

I think you get my point. Believe it, it's true And, you can do it at FULL POWER/RPM if you so desire.

 

[TalonDancer]

According to one of the dealers with the HST you can go as slow as you like.

For some of the implements I may need to go as slow as 1mph. The specs only show the GST going that slow.

Does any one know if the HST can really go that slow?

The HST is truly infinitely variable speed. I regularly _creep_ forward/reverse at in./min. while pulling toward/away from a pallet. That is one of the best things about HST. Regardless of the engine RPM, when you lift off the HST pedal the tractor stops moving (unless it is on a slope). When you press the HST pedal it begins moving again in the direction you pressed the pedal at any speed from barely perceptible, to the full speed for that range and RPM.

And with the HST Plus and Auto Throttle ON, the engine RPM drops to idle when you lift off the HST pedal and speeds up when you press it again.

BTW I can do loader work all day and only press the clutch to start the tractor

Talon Dancer

 

[gilliganfarmer]

Thanks for both of your responces.

HST it is.


this is not a HST question but I am sure you guys can set me straight with this one.

In the specs when they say" lift capacity behind lift point " is that behind the 3-point?

I'm pretty sure it is but I just want to make sure cause we will need to move large round hay bales around.

Thank you

 

[texasjohn]

Yes, that is discussing the 3ph lift capability. I'm not sure of which machines you are looking at or their rated lift capacity.

In general, a 50ish hp tractor will lift 1500 to 1800 round bales from the rear 3ph with no problem. Same can be lifted using hay spike/fork on FEL only and I mean ONLY if you have excellent counter weights on the rear. This can mean tire weights, weighted (liquid) tires, and/or load a bale on your 3ph first for a counter weight.

I very comfortably carry a bale in front and one in rear with my 50ish hp tractor. bale in front only requires extra counterbalance weight of about 200 lbs on rear 3ph plus filled tires plus extreme care and very flat ground with no holes in it.

 

[hayden]

The Grand L's "Cruise Control" works differently depending on whether Auto Throttle is ON or OFF.

When Auto Throttle is OFF, it works as you describe. IOW you can use the Cruise Control lever to set a roughly constant travel speed and take your foot off the HST pedal. Note the engine RPM is controlled by the hand throttle.

But with Auto Throttle ON, the Cruise Control lever acts more like an 'overdrive' lever. IOW you can NOT use the Cruise Control lever to set a constant speed and take your foot off the HST pedal. Because when you take your foot off the HST pedal, the engine speed drops to idle and the tractor slows to a crawl. But you CAN use the Cruise Control to lower the engine RPM needed to reach (or hold) a particular travel speed or increase the travel speed for a particular engine RPM.

For example, the way I have my Auto Throttle cable adjusted, I can be traveling at 4 mph in M at roughly 2,000 RPM. If I hold the HST pedal constant and push the Cruise Control lever all the way forward, the travel speed increases to just under 6 mph at the same RPM. Or I can back off the HST pedal and continue traveling at 4 mph. at roughly 1,500 RPM

Talon Dancer

ps I suspect that the Cruise Control lever actually does the same thing whether Auto Throttle is on or off. BUT the result is different when the HST pedal is controlling BOTH the HST and throttle.

OK, I think I get it. It sounds like the Cruise control ONLY works the HST control and NOT the throttle advance. With Auto Throttle Advance engaged, the HST setting is the greater of the Peddle or the Cruise Control lever, and the throttle setting depends ONLY on the peddle position. This is understandable behavior, but doesn't seem very useful. I'd guess the Cruise control is not intended for use with the Throttle Advance.

 

[Double Orange]

I'd guess the Cruise control is not intended for use with the Throttle Advance.

Hayden I use the Stahl Guard, Auto Advance and Auto Hi/Low, for 100% of my loader work,pulling a trailer and relocating tractor. Dis engage Auto throttle and use cruise for continious RPM work ie mowing.

Didn't expect fuel economy, being my L5240 Cab is a turbo, but I average 2 hrs per gallon on my light work. Not sure on mower work yet.