HST or Shuttle

[john_bud]

Manny,

It seems that this thread has degraded into a discussion on the use and or need for steering brakes. That probably isn't very helpful to your quest!

Personally, my Kubota HST steers so tight I can't imaging needing to brake steer. In 5 years with the tractor, I have never felt the need to augment with the brakes. Check the specs, the gain is minimal on this class of tractor. But, there are many different ways of getting the same job done...so lock those brakes if you want to!

What is your lawn mowing going to be like? Flat and straight with few obsticles? If so, HST might be a nice, but not needed extra. If you will have lots of stuff in the way, HST is real handy. It is also real handy for moving a fraction of an inch to help hook up a heavy implement.

Resale is also probably higher with HST as fewer people use gears in anything anymore.

Heck, if you need to save money - get the shuttle, it's good! If you have the money, the HST is better. It's just that simple.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you took my comments to heart, too bad for you )</font>
I wish you guys would notice when someone puts LOL and smiley faces that they mean they are joking. Besides, I feel quite fancy on my orange Kioti, riding down the road with the breeze in my face while I push on that HST pedal! LOL /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[daTeacha]

To the Amish around here, an SMV symbol is so fancy they aren't permitted to have them on their buggies. They can't use zippers for the same reason, so I guess defining fancy is a personal thing.

Setting up a new tractor, like everything else, comes down to what works best for your needs, what you are willing to pay for, and what is available on the machine you prefer.

All my work is close quarters stuff so being able to maneuver is a high priority. I do no mowing since the tractor is too big for my lawn area. I do no plowing except for snow. I do a lot of turning, backing up, and that kind of stuff on hills in the woods. Unless I'm hauling a load of manure down the road or spreading it, I don't drive in a straight line for more than about 50 feet and I don't drive at a constant speed for even that far. I'll only use the cruise when I need the steering brake, but I'll be up and down on the hydro pedal a lot. With the Kubota, I used the foot throttle to regulate speed. I think a constant engine speed will be better for the tractor.

 

[EastTexFrank]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> Heck, if you need to save money - get the shuttle, it's good! If you have the money, the HST is better. It's just that simple. </font> )</font>

That's the answer to your question right there.

 

[manny2005]

Everyone has given alot to think about and I thank all of thoses that have replied. I will take all of this and apply it to my final dicision.

Again, Thanks everyone.