HST ? improved over the years

Slackdaddy · Feb 20, 2008

Soon to be in the market for a 20-32 HP CUT.
Have not had the time to demo any (work Schedule), just arm chair shopping.
I have this far discounted any HST models do to my preconcived notion that they are loud and "herky-Jerky" (My only CUT experiance is on machines of 20+ years ago, or bob cats)
Talked to a CUB/Yanmar and a Kioti dealer, when I mentioned this, they said, No the new HST machines are smoth as silk ? One guy mentioned something about a "clutch" in the HST drive that smooths it out ?

Can anyone shed some light on this ?
I know I need to get out and try some, but it will be a month or 2 till My time is freed up.

Thanks,
Nick

RFB · Feb 20, 2008

Slack,

My HST is smooth and extremely controllable; if at all possible given the available choices to me, if I buy an additional larger tractor, I would want to equal the performance the HST provides. I cannot imagine wanting to add additional steps to get what this does for me now.

Here's a thread that talks a little about it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-kubota-m7040-vs-jd-5403-a-3.html#post1334250

Mighty Dodge · Feb 20, 2008

I love my HST. Works real smooth.

M.D.

whatsgnu · Feb 20, 2008

Just got a Kioti 45 hp with HST. I liked the gear model but LOVE the HST. very smooth and so easy to work with.

B2400 · Feb 20, 2008

You didn't mention any specific uses for your tractor,but the only excuse for a gear tractor anymore would be long continuous pulls with ground engaging equipment ( ie moldboard plow). The hydro will be as smooth or erratic as the operator and there are minor adjustments to tailor it to ones desire.

JiminGa · Feb 20, 2008

slack, I grew up on collar shifts and the good ole JD powershift...I love the hst I have now!

Surewhynot · Feb 20, 2008

I have the HST on my BX1500 and when I moved up to the L3240 I also went with the HST. Smooth and easy to operate.

IXLR8 · Feb 20, 2008

My Kioti CK30 is a HST machine, I love the precision that the HST drive gives me. I can't imagine any way a gear machine would give me that. I did rent an off brand machine with HST where the motion was not terribly smooth. In test driving different machines, there was one of the 'top 3' machines that was smooth forward, but it kind of 'snatched' when going in reverse. You need to test drive the machines you are interested, that is the only way you will know for sure. As others have alluded to, some of it depends on what you are doing with the machine. If you have lots of FEL use, then HST can't be beat. If you have lots of backhoe work... it won't matter. If you have lots of long runs, like plowing acres and acres, then a gear machine might be best.

texasjohn · Feb 20, 2008

to address the "noisy" complaint.... I now no longer "hear" the transmission UNLESS I want to... then, I appreciate that there is a different sound.. one for engine, another for transmission. Yes, there is a "whine" that I was surprised at when I first go the tractor... but learned thru TBN that this is normal.. and, now, it is an additional cue to me as to how the tractor is dynamically being loaded and how it is handling the load.

flusher · Feb 20, 2008

Slackdaddy said:
Soon to be in the market for a 20-32 HP CUT.
Have not had the time to demo any (work Schedule), just arm chair shopping.
I have this far discounted any HST models do to my preconcived notion that they are loud and "herky-Jerky" (My only CUT experiance is on machines of 20+ years ago, or bob cats)
Talked to a CUB/Yanmar and a Kioti dealer, when I mentioned this, they said, No the new HST machines are smoth as silk ? One guy mentioned something about a "clutch" in the HST drive that smooths it out ?

Can anyone shed some light on this ?
I know I need to get out and try some, but it will be a month or 2 till My time is freed up.

Thanks,
Nick

The HST on my 2005 Kubota B7510HST (21 hp engine) makes some noise but it's barely noticable after a few minutes. The HST makes using the LA302 FEL (4-ft bucket) on my Bota a pleasure.

There's a hand throtle that controls engine rpm and a rocker-type foot pedal (right foot, the "go" pedal) that operates the HST forward (toe) and reverse (heel) movements.

There is a clutch on the 7510 (left foot), but it's used to switch between the low and high ranges on the HST and to engage/disengage the PTO.