HST or Gear Trans for an L2800

[MBDiagMan]

The US is now an automatic transmission country. Walk through a parking lot and the sight of a car with a manual transmission will be rare. In Europe it's quite the opposite.

The love of the automatic transmission carries over to today's tractors. If you feel comfortable with the use of a clutch pedal, a gear selector can save you initial cost, additional maintenance costs and also potentially prevent some EXPEN$IVE repair bills. If you're NOT comfortable with a clutch pedal, then follow your instincts to the HST.

To me, the decision is just that simple.

Good luck with your decision and I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[Loren49]

Another thing to consider is how comfortable and experienced you are with a standard transmission. Improper clutching has prematurely warn out many clutch plates. If you have little experience with standard transmission it may be a good reason to go HST.

Loren

 

[Chilly807]

Since almost all manufacturers offer both gear and HST drives, I'd say both were alive and well in the Americas. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, and we all have our preferences. It's as simple as that, really.

The older I get the more I realize that few people are really wrong or right, they just believe different things. What works for one is foreign to another, and may not suit their needs or likes at all.

I wouldn't buy either tractor until you can test drive them both.

Sean

 

[bstrom]

The only advantage to the gear tractor I can see for what you will be using it for is saving money on the tractor purchase. I've always driven stick shift cars but in a tractor with a loader and going back and forth in tight areas moving snow or in the woods I would want HST. It's so easy to drive and you can concentrate on the loader more. I've driven my friends shuttle shift and I don't like it as much, definitely not as easy to drive and work with the loader for me personally. Try them both out and see for yourself, you might like the gear.

 

[RobertN]

As I mentioned previously, I have used gear and HST. I would agree I like HST for FEL work too. But, it is not like a glorious revelation that an HST is the answer to all loader work Not your post in particular, but many over the years make it sound like a gear tractor is barely able to loader work, at great physical expense to the operator.

FWIW, the best for FEL work is a skid steer. I can out FEL work my tractor 2 to 1 when I use my buddies Bobcat. Realistically, probably closer to 3 to 1. It does not pull a mower as well though

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.

 

[zene55]

I'm new to Kubota tractors and to this site. I would welcome your thoughts on your thoughts on an HST vs Gear trans. I plan to purchase an L2800 for landscaping with a FEL, pulling downed trees, moving dirt/gravel, and general tractor stuff. I need your advice. HELP !!

I have a L2800 gear and my Mother has a L2800 HST. She had hers first and I operated it a few times. I did not care for the HST whine. I have done some dirt work with mine and have not found it a problem shifting

 

[teg]

For those that like Gear... Courious, any of you above 55 years old?

 

[Thomas]

Teg.
'any of you above 55 years old?"

Joints aches/pains?

 

[teg]

Teg.
'any of you above 55 years old?"

Joints aches/pains?

Oh, heck ya' and I'm not even 50... If I knew I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself :laughing:

 

[Chilly807]

I find my left knee isn't happy with the clutch on the 3400 if I have to hold it depressed for any length of time. I'm tempted to try "hanging" the pedal once the warranty is over to see if that helps. Probably more trouble and time than it's worth.

I'll say that having the suspension seat working after almost a year of it being stuck is a really big improvement in comfort.

Sean