Forgive me if this is a really dumb question, but I feel like I gotta ask it. With an HST should you always put it in neutral if you're idling for a short time? Also, what about when you turn the tractor off and restart it? My dealer told me to just leave it in gear all the time, but that just didn't sound right. I'm a newbie so I'm still learning. Thanks
HST Operation Question
- Thread starter poolguy
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mguitas
Super Member
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- Massey Ferguson 1423 Hydrostat
Well if in neutral, you better have the parking brake on.
Samandothers
Platinum Member
I do not put my HST in Neutral. I get off to open gate etc I will set parking brake and allow pedal to come to center.
When I start I push in the clutch. On my tractor the clutch must be in to start.
When I start I push in the clutch. On my tractor the clutch must be in to start.
StanR
Gold Member
I do not put my HST in neutral when I stop.... I either put on the break or lower the front end.
I will usually lower the RPM.
Only need the clutch to start
I had a gear tractor and will never go back..
I will usually lower the RPM.
Only need the clutch to start
I had a gear tractor and will never go back..
DutchHenryBrown
Platinum Member
My last 2 tractors have been HST units and I never take them out of gear unless I am changing from L to M or H. I do set the parking brake if I leave the Cab, and drop the FEL.:thumbsup:
MtnViewRanch
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- Mahindra 7520, Mahindra 3215HST, Case 580 extendahoe, Case 310 dozer, Parsons trencher, Cat D6,
I too seldom take my HST tractor out of gear.
DHB, your grader blade needs some paint. No rusty implements behind new tractors for avatars.
DHB, your grader blade needs some paint. No rusty implements behind new tractors for avatars.
oldnslo
Super Member
What clutch do you have push in to start on a HST?
If you are on hill or your HST does not center 100% every time just set the parking brake or lower a ground engaging implement.
When hooking up 3PH implements on level ground I will some times put my BX in neutral so I can rock it hair if needed to connect the implement.
Your life, your tractor, do what makes you feel comfortable and safe.
If you are on hill or your HST does not center 100% every time just set the parking brake or lower a ground engaging implement.
When hooking up 3PH implements on level ground I will some times put my BX in neutral so I can rock it hair if needed to connect the implement.
Your life, your tractor, do what makes you feel comfortable and safe.
RDrancher
Veteran Member
I guess I'm the oddball on this one. I always go to neutral and set the brake when I get off the tractor. I'd hate to find out that the tractor developed a bit of creep when I'm paying attention to something else. Mine won't start in gear and I'm fine with that.
SSdoxie
Elite Member
If the HST pedals are adjusted correctly, when you take your foot off the pedal it is in neutral. Same as a geared tractor that you would shift to neutral and leave the range speed in gear, lock the brakes and get off when need be. No matter how you choose to do it, always lock the brakes or plant the loader or rear implement firmly on the ground to prevent accidental roll.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I never put the geared portion of the transmission in Neutral, as the hydro pedal self centers to the neutral postion. I always set the brake and drop the bucket and usually drop my ballast box, especially on any kind of a slope.. There is no point in putting the gear selector in Neutral that I know of.
James K0UA
James K0UA
NWOH_Grizz
Silver Member
When getting off the tractor, I put mine in neutral, and often lower the loader -or- set the brake. If I get off that seat with the selector lever not in neutral, the engine shuts off. Works OK for me, it would suck getting run over by your own tractor.
GaryM
Veteran Member
If I dismount with the range selector in any position other than N it kills the engine.
Redneck in training
Elite Member
My HST has no clutch. The parking brake has to be depresses to start and set to leave the tractor. If I forget to set the brake and get of the seat the tractor shuts off in about 5 seconds. I never shift to neutral. When hooking up equipment I idle the engine and set the parking brake light (to bypass the seat switch). Then I get off the tractor and press the forward/reverse pedals by hand to creep the tractor as needed. When parked, regardless the engine is running or not, I set the parking brake pretty hard.
DennisFolsom
Gold Member
No clutch pedal on my JD 4600 HST. If there's any chance the tractor could roll, I drop the bucket at least. If it's on a slope, I also set the parking brake.
Sometimes, when I'm on level ground, with the throttle at idle, and I'm not going to be away from the tractor, I don't bother with the bucket or the brake. I am more likely to do this when I'm on soft ground. This practice is not recommended, but I know the tractor well enough that I know it ain't going anywhere under these conditions.
With the above said, If I'm going to be throwing wood into the bucket, or taking it out of the bucket to stack, I always set the brake. In this case, I'm working right in front of the tractor.
Sometimes, when I'm on level ground, with the throttle at idle, and I'm not going to be away from the tractor, I don't bother with the bucket or the brake. I am more likely to do this when I'm on soft ground. This practice is not recommended, but I know the tractor well enough that I know it ain't going anywhere under these conditions.
With the above said, If I'm going to be throwing wood into the bucket, or taking it out of the bucket to stack, I always set the brake. In this case, I'm working right in front of the tractor.
moored4
Veteran Member
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The only time I use the CLUTCH on my L3540 other than to starting it, is if the pto is in gear and I have to feather it to start it going so the implement doesn't see the full speed all at once!
As in brush mowing, hitting a stump clutch in and pick the 3 point and then feathering the clutch back in to start the pto turning!
As in brush mowing, hitting a stump clutch in and pick the 3 point and then feathering the clutch back in to start the pto turning!
Ford tractor
Platinum Member
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My larger Kubota HST has a clutch. Many HST tractors have clutches.
The tractor will roll with ease when in N. That is NOT the case when in gear --> there is resistance to rolling. Close, but not the same.
dex3361
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- Kubota L4400-1 HST,FEL, 3x3 remotes, TNT. BX1500 54 mmm
L4400HST has a clutch and 3 ranges. I leave it in gear (1,2 or 3). If I am on flat I will set the brake most of the time. If I am on the hill I set the brake all of the time and drop the implement. I had a tractor get away from me on the hill once upon a time(it was surreal to see it going off on its own) and the HST in gear and running cant run away very fast.
namesray
Platinum Member
i hardly ever put the range selector in neutral on my b7800. mine gets a bit of parked, left running time too, as i have a lot of on/off work i perform with mine. it has over 830 hours on it and no damage to transmission. i would not like a tractor that you had to put it into neutral just to get off. big pita! one big reason i like hydrostat's is the braking effect they have on the tractor. park a hydrostat on a slope in gear and it will roll, but not near as fast as a tractor on a slope in neutral.
