Bob_Young
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2002
- Messages
- 1,244
- Location
- North of the Fingerlakes - NY
- Tractor
- Ford 4000; Ford 2000(both 3cyl.);JD40; 2004 Kubota L4300; 2006 Kubota B7610; new 2007 Kubota MX5000
The question is whether there are any operating techniques that can be used to reduce the strain on an HST when doing ground engagement work.
I'm in the process of converting a quarter acre of former thicket and rock/trash pile into lawn for the neighbor. Started the job with the gear L4300 and used a 65" Box Blade to rip up roots, rocks and assorted junk. The L4300 had to go to the tractor shop before the job was finished to get a backhoe installed....where it's been waiting over 2 weeks for the correct subframe to arrive.
Decided to finish with the HST B7610 and a 48" BB. Am still ripping up lots of roots and stuff....and it's hard jerky going. So naturally I'm wondering whether there's anyway to reduce the wear and tear on the HST (I'm still quite new to them).
My approach has been to operate in 4WD Low range at a moderately high power setting (2000 to 2200 RPM) using only enough pedal to move at a very slow walk. The idea is to power into the roots/rocks rather than ram into them. Some of the roots are just too big and all four spin until I back off and raise the BB. My idea is that the HST should survive this if there are no large, sudden shock loads and if it is operating at less than rated power. I've been monitoring HST temperature (by feel) and it's never been more than very warm; but certainly not hot...I could leave my hand on the cooling coils indefinitely without discomfort.
So, TBN HST gurus, are there better approaches? Maybe operate at a lower RPM but with more pedal? Any obvious danger signs/sounds I should look for. Am I worrying about nothing?
When/if the L4300 returns, I'll get to dig out a few stumps and some of those big roots....life is good
Bob
I'm in the process of converting a quarter acre of former thicket and rock/trash pile into lawn for the neighbor. Started the job with the gear L4300 and used a 65" Box Blade to rip up roots, rocks and assorted junk. The L4300 had to go to the tractor shop before the job was finished to get a backhoe installed....where it's been waiting over 2 weeks for the correct subframe to arrive.
Decided to finish with the HST B7610 and a 48" BB. Am still ripping up lots of roots and stuff....and it's hard jerky going. So naturally I'm wondering whether there's anyway to reduce the wear and tear on the HST (I'm still quite new to them).
My approach has been to operate in 4WD Low range at a moderately high power setting (2000 to 2200 RPM) using only enough pedal to move at a very slow walk. The idea is to power into the roots/rocks rather than ram into them. Some of the roots are just too big and all four spin until I back off and raise the BB. My idea is that the HST should survive this if there are no large, sudden shock loads and if it is operating at less than rated power. I've been monitoring HST temperature (by feel) and it's never been more than very warm; but certainly not hot...I could leave my hand on the cooling coils indefinitely without discomfort.
So, TBN HST gurus, are there better approaches? Maybe operate at a lower RPM but with more pedal? Any obvious danger signs/sounds I should look for. Am I worrying about nothing?
When/if the L4300 returns, I'll get to dig out a few stumps and some of those big roots....life is good
Bob