HST/Power Shuttle vs HP

[kycontrols]

I am looking at getting a tractor for 5 acres. (Hoping to get more in a year or two)

The tractor will be used for the following
1. Misc. Loader Working
2. Grading
3. Tilling
4. Bush hogging (only if I get a larger place, mow 5 acres with a Scag)


If given the option and all things being equal would you get

1. 32 HP tractor with a HST
or
2. 40 HP with a Power Shuttle

Thanks

 

[Soundguy]

Probably the 32hp with HST will be fine.. you only will be dealing with 5ac. the HST will make the tilling and loader work much easier than plain gear if you are not a gear nut.. ( shuttle aint bad. )... and misc grading work and hogging 5ac can be done fine with gear, shuttle or HST..

soundguy

 

[Gittyup]

You'd be fine with either tractor. If you see future needs requiring a bigger tractor, then the 40 shuttle would be the way to go. Two years ago I was weighing a similar question: 20 hp hst or 25hp shuttle for about the same money. I went shuttle.

But, don't place too much emphasis on hp, especially for your needs. Almost equally as important is hydraulic pump capacity, weight, and other features

 

[kycontrols]

In reality a small 20 horse tractor would cover my current needs.

This weekend my wife and I drove a lot of tractors and she didn't like any of the small ones. (TC31, TC30, B3030, DX31, 2520) She said she felt safer on the bigger ones and cost difference between them and something like a L3240 isn't that big.

We liked the L3240 with a HST and we found a MF1540 with the power shuttle that we like for the about same price. I like the L3240 but all the electronics scare me. I have experienced getting old electronic parts and they can be scarce, expensive and I plan on keeping this tractor for a long time. How reliable are the intellipanel so far.

Thanks

 

[RFB]

L5030: 500 hours running hard at -20f to +105F and everywhere in-between.

The electronics, HST and everything else are rock solid.

 

[john_bud]

The "40" series HST is the best out there right now. Kubota has a good reputation for only putting out electronics that last.

Were it my $, I would get the 3240 HST over the MF1540 every time. It's not even close.

jb

 

[JerryG]

If you and your wife are comfortable with a PowerShuttle, go with the 1540. You will love the turbo. The power curve is almost flat and that yields a very nice pulling tractor. The 1540 has all fluid clutches and brakes that will last a life time compared to the dry versions. With a PowerShuttle, you don't have to clutch to start or stop unless you want to. You also don't have to clutch to change directions. The clutch is very smooth as well as the transmission. It is fine tractor, don't let anyone that has never operated one of these tell you they aren't top notch.