GST

[JATO_RaT]

What do those of you with GST think about it. It certainly is unique among tractors. The new 30 series has an electronic GST with 12 or 24 gears. It is a great idea yet it seems we hear little about it. I know neither NH or JD have anything like it. I'm considering a downsize and want input from all sides. My current tractor is HST and incredible. If it is lacking in anything it would be top speed in medium range. For mowing its to slow. High is not strong enough for mowing. Just thinking. Rat...

 

[kubmech]

Hey Rat, I'm not involved with Kubota anymore so I can't offer anything as far as the new GST's are concerned. Last experience I had, was with the 8 speeds. Now, keep in mind that I just worked on them and tested them on a limited basis and never used one for any length of time in an actual work environment. I felt eighth gear was pretty much useless unless you could wait for the engine to catch up, and if you were on any kind of incline or under any kind of load then you really had to be patient for the engine to come up to speed in eighth. Then there was the pause between shifts which would send you backwards a little on inclines, more pronounced with heavier loads on an icline and especially making the shift from 4 to 5 being that shift took longer going from low range set to high range set. Shifting from foward to reverse without using the clutch was always flawless as long as you slowed down enough, no complaints there. Now, do to the pause between shifts, when doing fel work it's very tempting to leave the tractor in a higher range, which then leads you to slipping the clutch, which then leads to early clutch failure. Did alot of clutches on GST's, and with speaking to cust's and trying to explain why they needed a new clutch at 900 hours, we discussed these problems. Most admitted to slipping the clutch just because it was easier. I agreed, It was just easier and said that I would most likely operate it the same way. When discussing not slipping the clutch while doing loader work, most guys would come back and say "I just can't do it, it just works too good that way". Sooooo alot of guys would bring in the machine with a smirk after the next 900 hours to get there clutch done. I spoke to a rep about this and we both agreed that the new L48 would alleviate much of this problem due to the HST sytem. But in spite of these problems, most of the guys that bought GST, loved them. I personnaly never got it, but like I said I never used one to make a living. If I had my choice, the "infinite" ground speed combinations that HST offers is much more suitable to the way "I" would run a machine. I geuss my suggestion to you would be, demo one, run the crap out of it and try to pay attention to some of the details I mentioned. And please, by all means, let me know what you think. Carify the 12/24 speed thing for me and definitely check the power in the higher ranges.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Thanks Kubmech, that was a very good post about GST. Its hard to think about uing a tractor with anything but HST after having one. Your right about the clutch slipping although I think its not limited to just GST as I know I too am guilty of it with all gear tractors. Its to tempting to use third gear or fourth on 8 speed tractors when using the loader. The L4850 we use is much like that. Perhaps its one area where the JD's wet clutch has an advantage over Kubotas dry clutch but even wet clutchs will wear rapidly this way, they'll just stay cooler doing it. My reason for considering it is purely from a mowing perspective. I just can't mow on any slope in high on the L48 and medium seems like massive overkill in power. As far as loader work goes, I'm convinced that the HST is the best for this operation since directional changes happen immediately and the wear and tear on the machine is apparently so much less. One other area that I felt the HST to be extremely helpful was near my pond. With relatively steep sides into the pond I need to back down into the pond perimeter, its high anxiety time on my gear tractor but with the L48 that anxiety is pretty much eliminated. Its always in 4 WD as long as I don't depress the clutch, something that helps hold me on the steep bank with a 1200lb mower hanging off the rear. Thanks for the great info on GST. Should I downsize I will try a GST and now know a little more of what to look for. The delay betwen gears in particular. Rat...

 

[equipman]

Rat & kubmech
The new 30 series GST trans has 12 forward & 8 reverse with an optional creep speed (ROPS model only) giving 24 forward & 16 reverse (standard on Cab models). The clutch packs are electronically controlled and the shifts are faster than before. I drove a couple at the dealer meeting and liked them, but we haven't gotten any new GST yet so we could try them here and see what everyone thinks of them.
Lewis

 

[Tags]

Rat,
I had my L35 for years and as you know the 35s have the GST setup.I put 1500 hours of HARD use (not abusive use...just hard) all doing commercial work since the day it was new.I NEVER had a problem with the clutches,it was just a matter of "learning" the sweetspots in the tranny,I always used third gear for loader work and would often shift to fourth while transporting the load to its destination,like Kubmech said though,if you went for the fifth gear shift on a slight incline it would take a bit longer to engage,and sometimes would almost come to a complete halt,a bit unerving in a delicate situation.I did do quite a bit of brush hog work with it too,and to me it always seemed nice to be able to go faster (much faster) or slower as the mowing would allow.Keep this in mind also,if you miss a shift,or shift between gears on the GST it will freewheel,very scary in certain situations, especially if you're not ready for it.The machine I have now is a hydro,first one I've ever used,never thought I'd like em', but now after having it I love it. It is definitely a faster tranny for loader work compared to the GST(but it sounds as though most of your loader work is done/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif),and is a much easier tranny for other people to use and understand than the GST.Do like Kubmech said,demo one,slap your mower on it and run the crap of of it,it may be just what yer lookin'fer!

 

[FlynG]

Hey Rat,
My tractor is new from this summer. Only 55 hours so far so I can't give a credible report for durability. I can say that I Love this tractor with the GST. If fact just a day or two ago my wife told me the same thing.
Shot me an email or PM if you want to know specific applications.
FlynG

 

[kubmech]

Thanks for the info Lewis. So it sounds like they canned the hyd shift valve assembly and are now using solenoids for the shifts. Even though creeper gear is an option, I would have to say it's not an option and a must have. Sounds similiar to the M110/112 set-up.
Rat, yes, the temptation to slip on the gear models is just as real. I think a little bit of difference comes from most of the gear models having a larger, heavier, clutch assy, which is a little more forgiving. Kubota, had a few different versions of a wet clutch, the ever clutch was one. A bit more forgiving, yet much more expensive to repair. The hyd shuttle also fit into the wet clutch category, sort of. The GST is a wet clutch pack design but still uses a dry clutch to engage the engine to the trans.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Great comments from everyone.

Tags, it would be a very tough decision to give up hydrostatic drive. One of those you would think you would always question if you did the right thing. Despite a few weaknesses, it really is a fantastic transmission and still my favorite. I'm considering a small tractor like the L3130. As I mentioned, after cutting/moving about 1700 yards of primarily decomposed granite between my boxscraper and loader, my large work is over. All that dirt in 127.5 hours.

Lewis, the electronic version of GST is what has caught my eye and am waiting for some opinions about from users, thanks for the heads up.

Kubmech, the creepers would have come in very handy on my old L4850. It had the EverClutch which is now in need of replacing as all the various construction workers gave it a work out using 5th gear and the loader. Funny thing how construction workers can't wait to get on the tractor. I never knew this until they were arguing over whoose turn it was to drive it. The new L30's version with solenoids sounds interesting. The longevity of it would be my biggest concern. Being in 3rd gear as Tags said for loader worker seems about right from my experience, anything taller and I always have to slip the clutch both while pushing into a pile and leaving a pile.

FlynG, thats great that its working out well for you. It seems that all the while I've been at this site, the discussion about GST gets little attention even though its fairly unique compared to all of the other makers.

Thanks for the great information, the GST transmission is one I have never tried and your opinions have helped much. Rat...

 

[GregH]

I have a 3 year old l4310 GST. For my uses which do not include an FEL I think it is perfect. I plow a lot and use rear blades a little. BUT, for FEL work and delicate grading, HST IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. If you don't believe that, try both for 100 hours and you will change your mind.
Just my 2 cents
Greg H