HST reliability...

[ZackaryMac]

I realize the HST vs manual subject is a hotly debated subject here, and likely for good reason. Since Kubota are such great machines, there has to be SOMETHING to debate! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As a mechanic for 20 years, I can honestly say I have zero experience with HST, until I bought my B1600 3 weeks ago, and I love it for mowing. Of course I am inquisitive about it, so today I had a chance to question a hydraulics mechanic about the hydrostatic pumps sitting in the back of his truck. He works on lots of equipment that uses it - dozers, excavators, processors, etc. He tells me most gear today uses hydroststic with very little problems. Clean fluid is the key, and so is keeping it cool. While none of this is new, I was interested to hear that he says there is lots of equipment he works on with many hours on them, and there is one HST system with 21000 hours on it with 100% reliability. No failures, and worked hard. Only maintenance was done to this unit. Of course this isn't the same unit on the Kubota, but it was confidence-inspiring to hear that HST units can go a long time, worked hard, with no problems.

You'll notice this post stays neutral about which is better, though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I'm not looking to "flare the fire", so to speak. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[at_obuk]

I had a HST in my old power trac. Right foot foward, left foot reverse. I would abuse that HST like crazy going from right foot to ltleft foot and back again making the wheels spin and me lurching back and forth. Never had a bit of problem with it, love it.
Now I have it again on my BX23 like you with just about 10 hrs on. Love it, it makes me lurch back and forth just like my old power trac. Hope it can take the abuse.
Someday us BX23 owners should get together, have a picnic and tractor racers /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


Eric P.

 

[_RaT_]

My relatively limited experience with HST on my Kubota L48 and L3830 for a combined total of about 450 hours has proven to me just how valuable they can be. My time on manuals, especially shuttles goes well over the thousand hour mark. I still enjoy the shuttles and still consider them a great alternative to HST. While I still have a very quick shifting manual with my International, it sits and gathers leaves, almost sad as I put a lot of heart into that beast. In the end, my L3830 HST just does so much more with far less power. I have confidence the HST will endure the tough work I pour on it. I boxblade in reverse, yes, thats right, in REVERSE. I have dug ditches for my 24" culvert with the loader, something they say you cannot do, moved rocks that dwarfed the L3830's weight. I guess in the end, you would not want to buy a used L3830 from me, I don't baby it. The HST has proven invaluable, something I was quite skeptical of at first. I thought it was one of them there new fangled dope smokin long haired hippie maggot infested yuppie things. Boy was I wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TresCrows]

It is a non issue, get which ever you like. J

 

[_RaT_]

He already did!

 

[upgw]

Well, I've seen a completely worn out HST unit in a well-maintained Cub Cadet GT, yet in a 1970's vintage Ford GT, with the blades all broken off the cooling fan, the fins all plugged with crap, burt fluid and what appeared to be the original filter.. the HST trans was operating fine. I'm guessing a modern commercial grade HST is pretty darn tough and durable. The only negative is the increased maintenance, but this is really nothing compared to the increased usability.

- P

 

[TractorTodd]

I think you own a T1600 instead of a B1600. HST failures are common on that model. Kubota offers a replacement kit with a newer style HST, but it is expensive. Get your ser# and check with your dealer.

 

[ZackaryMac]

That could be the case, but I'm not going to worry about it until it becomes a problem.
After 3 major snowstorms in one week so far this winter, the HST still proves to be so versitile to me. With a 4' blower on the back, I can inch in to the snow (which was a foot or more in some places over the top of the blower) slow enough not to drag down the engine too much. I also adapted a 4' ATV plow for the front, and HST makes it great for small areas that require frequent forward/reverse.
I had a few weeks with my father's MF 165 diesel last spring, and is a great tractor, gave me a chance to compare the two transmission types. For my small tractor, and for what I do, I'm still pleased with HST.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> I think you own a T1600 instead of a B1600. </font>

But ZackaryMac said B6100...

Now I'm /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Edit: I'm more confused now because I looked back and see the orginal post did say B1600....but the sig line says B6100...Yikes! Must be time for bed now... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif more than ever... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ZackaryMac]

Oops!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Henro, you're absolutely correct! I never noticed my goof-up till I just read your post. Sorry about that guys.

Yes, it is a B6100. So...is there a b1600?

It looks like a slight case of digit-dyslexia.

Well, it seems like my fingers are another part of my body that doesn't always work as I'd like it to..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BRAVO_WHISKEY]

ZackaryMac,
Looks like there was a B1600. It is listed as a Gray Market tractor. There was also a T1600 which was a lawn tractor. Don't know if either were HST. Not that it really matters.....

 

[ZackaryMac]

That being said, does this mean that the HST system in my tractor IS reliable? A quick search leads me to think so.

Either way, I'm really happy with my little 'Bota. When I win the lottery, there will be a new 4wd model added to the fleet (with all the goodies, of course!). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimR]

My Cub 7275 has over 2400 hours on it. As far as I know it has never been apart.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .
Someday us BX23 owners should get together, have a picnic and tractor racers /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Eric P.
)</font>

Or have a club.
A special heading on the board for BX23 owners would be nice also.

 

[Kubota_Boy]

I am an owner of a Kubota T1600-HST lawn tractor, bought back in 1989 and I must say, I've only had ONE problem with it... Rusted out mowing decks. (However, 3 decks since 1989 is prolly not THAT bad) but it gets expensive. As far as the HydroStatic Transmission goes, not a moments trouble (yet). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

For the price of a new mow deck, I was able to buy a Sears HST gasoline lawn tractor. Now the Kubota diesel (minus a belly mower) is used to pull a lawn sweeper.

I dare not get rid of it because I can go 4 times as far on a tank of diesel as opposed to my gas tractor.

However, I've just experienced a new problem with the Kubota, but I'll post that as a new thread in a minute.

 

[ZackaryMac]

Nothing like dragging up an old post....

Funny thing is, I came across this post by chance, and all these years and 1000 hrs later, the old B6100 works great, the HST was/is never an issue. Even more funny, I just got a T1600 HST diesel witha bad engine. Found another engine from a reefer, threw it in, and hae mower for about 10 hours now, with no issues. I was worried the tansmission may have been a bad one, as many were, but (knock on wood) it works fine. I just have to fix up the really floppy, worn-out steering.

 

[WLVR]

I also find the T1600 HST to be very reliable on the engine, transmission, and drive line. After owning the lawnmower since 1996 and using it to mow a lawn that seems to grow rocks I have found that the weak part of this system is the mower deck. Replacing bearing hub assemblies and the bearing that is located between the lower pulley (front of engine) and the short drive shaft to the mower deck seem to be the expense I have to repeat. Also I've taken the RC44LT mower deck off the tractor in the off season and welded cracks that have formed in it. Most recent major expense has been the short drive shaft between the mower deck and the lower bearing behind the two double belts in the front of the tractor. Lastly, and this is my point of interest, are there any "aftermarket" mower decks with enhanced mounting systems that can update this dependable small tractor? I had to fight the two turnbuckles this year to get them to work, and it just seems like the whole connection of the deck to the tractor is showing some wear.

 

[ZackaryMac]

I like to drag old posts from the basement.

The B6100 has almost 3000 hrs on it now, but doesn't see as much use as it used to, as I use a Case 1818 with a snowblower to deal with the long driveway, the wife claims the T1600 as hers, and so likes to mow a big chunk of our big lawn, so I don't get to use the B6100 much, other than for some mowing, and putting in firewood during the fall. The T1600 must have had a lot of hours on it before I got it, judging by the wear on all the deck hangers and steering. I was told it was used for mowing cemeteries and some lawns - lots to steer around, and hit. The steering has been repaired, so it's decent to drive. I find the B6100 way more comfortable than the T1600, so she can have it. Of course, as she wants to mow the lawn, I make sure it works properly all the time . I wouldn't want her to miss that opportunity. Happy wife happy life you know.