HST vs. Gear Drive

jas67 · Jun 17, 2008

I think I can get what I paid for my B7100. That is one of the reasons I bought an older tractor to begin with. The price difference between the two is very small. In fact, the issue is more the time/hassle of going and getting the B7200, and selling my current one (phone calls, tire-kickers, etc).

The main reason that I started this thread was to make sure that I wasn't going to buy something more prone to failure/problems, as I know the gear-drive transmissions are very rugged, but didn't know if the early HST were as rugged. It is very obvious to me that as long as I have no problems with is, the HST will be much nicer to use, and probably have better resale value (back to sixdog's comment and true cost of ownership). Heck, I might even come out ahead if I sell the mower deck and rake it comes with, as I already have a rake, and don't need the mower deck.

jas67

Soundguy · Jun 17, 2008

Don't let similarities in a machine be a basis for not owning it. for fords, i own an 8n and a 2n... very similar machines.. I own a 660 and an 850 and a 951.. all similar machines.. I own a 5000 and a 7610s.. many similarities...

sounds like you want the hst.. get it and sell the gear.

soundguy

jas67 said:
Soundguy & Charlesaf3,.

You're both funny guys! The B7100 & B7200 are too similar to need both. I only have a 1 acre property, and have a hard enough time justifying keeping one. I about the B7100 to do some one-time landscaping work, but it is very useful for yearly tasks like spreading much, and of course snow removal. The B7200 HST would be much better for snow removal, as a 3-point snow blower would be much better with the HST than the gear drive (which, of course, only has 2-speeds in reverse, too-slow, and too-fast).

I already have another Kubota, a 4-wheel steering G1800, which with all the crap (uh, stuff) I have to mow around, is a way better mowing machine for my needs than the B7100 or B7200.

I'm actually contemplating doing a little for-hire work with the B7100 (or B7200 if I buy it), like post-hole digging, tilling small gardens, and maybe small (under 3-acre) field mowing, just to justify keeping it (B7100/B7200).

Charlesaf3 · Jun 17, 2008

HST is by account actually more reliable than gear.

john_bud · Jun 17, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
HST is by account actually more reliable than gear.

Very true.

You will probably be replacing 2-4 clutches or more over the life of the gear tractor. 2000-4000 hour average clutch life. 95% certainty the original clutch will be in there for ever.

Clutch parts are in the 4-500 range and labor to split the tractor is in the 8-14 hour range. And cost's don't seem to be going down...

The basic guts of both are stout, but the hst is harder to harm. Clashing gears does not exist, can't speed shift, ect.

An inexperienced operator can kill a clutch in an afternoon. A highschool kid (or any other moron) can damage the gears with one stupid move (or an afternoon's worth). Much harder to harm the Hst. Just change fluids on schedule, add filters and it's good to go for ever.

It's also much easier to operate, especially in close areas next to valuable stuff.

The only downside to Kubota's HST (not so much other ones), all other tractors will feel so icky, you won't want to use them ever again!

jb

plastikosmd · Jun 17, 2008

I will never go back to gear...unless I start dragging a ground engaging implement all day for a living or something...maybe not even then

jas67 · Jun 17, 2008

I know that after being on my G1800 (HST) cutting grass, the gear drive does feel clunky.

la200o · Jun 18, 2008

I hate newfangled "improvements" of all kinds; never will own a car with an automatic transmission. Was very sceptical of HST, but now would never do without it. You have much more control over your machine (in my case an L2800). HST is just great. Much, much better than my old 8N gear tractor.

Bill

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 18, 2008

Started with a BX2200 FEL, added BX1500, Traded BX2200 to B7800 FEL which I traded to a L3240HST FEL. Traded the BX1500 to a BX2350. Added a F2880E. All HST's and can't imagine using any of them without HST.

Soundguy · Jun 18, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
HST is by account actually more reliable than gear.

That's a hoot! If it has not been around as long as gear.. you can't make that claim.

I can drain all the oil out of the trans on my gear tranny, and then 'pull off' the railroad tracks. lets see an HST do that. All it takes is a good leak to strand an hst 3' from a trailer..

soundguy