HST or Gear Trans for an L2800

[Diamondpilot]

Depends on what you are doing. I personally like gear tractors but I could see me wanting a HST if I was doing more hobby type of work. My tractors are usually put in a gear and left there for hours 50% of the time. The other times I may only go from forward to reverse a few times in a 20 minute period.

Chris

 

[jlwilsonjr]

Watching this thread closely as I will be another future L2800 owner. Curious at what time of year do "incentives" usually kick in?

 

[ccsial]

Keep in mind the L2800 gear does not have a live PTO. When you push the clutch in to go into reverse the PTO will stop. The L2800 HST does have a live PTO. That would be a major issue for me. I doubt you would miss the 1.5 HP.

If you need more PTO hp consider the L3400.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The pto would be a not buy point for me. If you want a gear tractor look at something else.

Chris

 

[ccsial]

I should mention that the L3400 Gear does have a live PTO, but not the L2800 gear.

 

[Chilly807]

Also, the 3400 has a dual stage clutch. As you come off the floor the PTO engages first, then the drive clutch. It's possible to shift gears without disengaging the PTO, although I've not done that.

Unless you're getting a smoking deal on a 2800, I'd wait and see what the new model year brings. The economy L series has it's issues, I'm not bashing them, I own one.

The 3 point is jerky raising, no known 100% cure yet.

The PTO cables on the HST models is a weak spot. No such trouble with the gear models.

Clutch effort is high IMO, especially if you're going to be holding it depressed for a couple minutes. Hung pedals might be better ?

The diff lock lever on the gear drives is in a lousy location, under your right heel. Try pushing it down and working the throttle with your right toe at the same time.

The suspension seats stick sometimes, but that can be easily fixed.

Loader capacity is low for the size of tractor, again IMO.

I don't like the whine the HST models have, that's my personal preference.

No factory remote kit available, if you want rear hydraulics you have to piece them together.

I'd buy the gear tractor again, but it might not be a 2800/3400/3700.

Overall a good basic tractor, but with a few issues that Kubota hasn't addressed.

 

[TripleR]

I own and use both gear and HST, in this size I personally would not have a geared unit.

 

[RobertN]

Two recomendations.

1 - Go to the top of this page, and click the search feature. Search on this topic. Be prepared to read for hours and hours. I realize you are new here, but with a search you will find this is a topic that has been discussed ad-nauseum. And, there still is no clear winner.

2 - Try both. Demo them if you can. Seat time will be the best help in making a decision.

FWIW, I have driven HST(my current tractor, and previous one are both HST). I have driven gear, from old Ford 9N, Farmall-A, to newer Massey's. Also driven the Kubota GST. All of them worked just fine.

I do like the HST, but I also liked the GST on the Kubota L35 I used a few times.

 

[TripleR]

I also agree checking one out on the lot is a good idea, but to make a really informed decision you need to spend a few hours on both. I recently spent six straight days bush hogging with an HST as well as geared unit. I was much more tired at the end of 8+ hours on a geared unit than on an HST.

 

[Johnbro]

As said, there is a lot of information already posted on this site WRT this topic. If there's any consensus, it might be something like: for mowing or just towing implements, gear is good or even better than HST. For FEL work, HST rules. I have a gear (shuttle) drive L2250 and have spent a lot of time on a HST (L5240). Next tractor will definitely be HST, because my FEL is my main tool.

Starting and stopping is easier and smoother with HST. Driving at a constant speed is easier with gears (although the cruise control on the Grand L series works really well). But for me the killer is to separate the engine speed (or PTO speed) from the travel speed.

Note: I have never used a GST transmission.