HST v Hydraulic Shuttle Transmission

[k0ua]

Man, thank you, but statements like that are not very helpful. Yeah, we all know to buy what we need and want (I mean, who is going to buy what you want?). What people are looking for is the experience of others who have actually used a particular tractor or transmission...i.e. learning from others without having to buy 3 tractors until you find the one you really want. In the Marine Corps, we called it artificial experience...you don't want to have to actually get shot to learn how to not get shot.

And one of THE most important features to me is HST. And HST+ on a Kubota is just icing on a very delicious cake. Another very important feature for me is telescoping stabilizers and extendable lower links. Ergonomics are important also. If you spend some real time in the seat, good ergonomics can make a lot of difference.

 

[AGTtactical]

And one of THE most important features to me is HST. And HST+ on a Kubota is just icing on a very delicious cake. Another very important feature for me is telescoping stabilizers and extendable lower links. Ergonomics are important also. If you spend some real time in the seat, good ergonomics can make a lot of difference.

Thank you! "Icing on a very delicious cake" is the perfect way to describe HST. I'm going to steal that if you don't mind. Yes, comfort matters...especially because the more my wife mows, the less I have to.
She will LOVE that HST transmission.

 

[drizler]

I have a shuttle and I will say this. I find myself needing to shift ranges CONSTANTLY. I’m always needing to go faster than 4 mid range if I ever want to get there. Then back to mid once I get to the pile unless it’s no danger of crashing into a hidden shale head. It really really gets old. Always too slow then always too fast , seldom just right or anything close to it. 500 hours on it and it’s not getting any funner��

 

[oosik]

Well - a little late to the party. I have a 2009 Kubota M6040 with hydraulic shuttle. I love it for grapple and bucket work. So easy - just work the forward/reverse lever and you are in business. Very quick to learn - very powerful tractor.

I should add - my tractor is pretty heavy. 820 pound Land Pride grapple on the LA1153 FEL - 1550 pounds of Rim Guard in the rear tires - 1100 pound Rhino 950 rear blade.

The tractor tips the grain scales at ADM in Cheney at 10,100 pounds.

 

[AGTtactical]

I have a shuttle and I will say this. I find myself needing to shift ranges CONSTANTLY. I’m always needing to go faster than 4 mid range if I ever want to get there. Then back to mid once I get to the pile unless it’s no danger of crashing into a hidden shale head. It really really gets old. Always too slow then always too fast , seldom just right or anything close to it. 500 hours on it and it’s not getting any funner��

Thanks...great info. For those who don't know, the M7060 I tried today was an 8 speed shuttle. 4 gears low range, 4 gears high. You shift with the clutch going from 1 through 4 like a truck. If you need high range, you have to stop, clutch into high range, then 1st gear (high 1), then let the clutch out. Oddly, you can go from forward to reverse without shifting using the hand lever...as Oosik says, if you stay in one gear, it is VERY easy moving from forward and reverse forth for loading. Almost like HST, except you use your left hand to move from fwd to rev and back, instead of your right foot (HST).

BTW Oosik, our entire county prison road crew (God Bless the South) uses a fleet of M6040 and M6060 ROPS for mowing the sides of the roads. They clearly love them...and are buying more. As an aside, its really great seeing our prisoners doing something positive. They love getting outside, and there's stiff competition for the work details. Only the most reliable get to run those nice M6060s. Everyone wins...the prisons, the county, the citizens, and even the prisoners who get a sense of self worth from a good days work. Its sad that more states don't see the value in such work programs. Our roads have no litter at all.