HST vs. Gear Trans

[cdaigle430]

I have both.

One issue with a geared transmission for loader work is that the loader operates slowly at idle. You have to rev the engine to load or dump (or be very patient), while holding the clutch in. Also, steering is harder at low rpms.

I do feel that the HST robs power from the smaller units.

Also for mowing, with a geared transmission, you have to slow down the engine (and pto rpms) for close maneuvering. Straight out in the field, it doesn't make a difference.

Ken
HST: B21 TLB, B2710, JD skid steer
geared: M5040 with loader, M9540

Nice

 

[jlsmith]

Do you think it may be Massey Ferguson buyers buy geared tractors and Kubota buyers buy HST? Or could it be a Texas thing? I believe Kubota dealers will back up my figures. If I were a Dealer, I'd also sell more of what I prefer. I would have such a sense of conviction that what I prefer is the best choice that I believe I could always convince that undecided customer to go "my way".

I prob has to do with location. Both the Bota and th JD house sell alot more gear tractors also. Pretty much a hay and ranch area here so that is prob the diff. :thumbsup:

 

[beppington]

I put probably 15-20 hours on my dad's Mahindra 4110 gear (synchro shuttle, you do have to use the clutch) tractor before buying my own. When I was shopping I decided I wanted a tractor that was basically a bigger version of my Craftsman HST lawn mower, which I've enjoyed since ~1993. So I test drove both JD's & Kubota's HSTs, thought both were great. Settled on a Kubota HST & love it. I still occassionally drive my dad's Mahindra, & it is fine, no problem at all, but I definitely enjoy my Kubota's HST better. It's just so effortless. Pretty cool to simply press a pedal & make a big, powerful thing GO.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I have lots of time on all three kinds of transmissions. For straight field work, the geared transmission is the hands down winner. For loader work, either an automatic shuttle transmission or HST is the clear winner.

I ran a Cat loader with an automatic shuttle transmission that was a working machine. It didn't shift gears. You set the gear you wanted and shuttled with the shuttle lever. It just had an oil bath clutch run by hydraulics. Clutch forward, machine moved forward, clutch backward the machine moved backward. The key was the oil bath clutch, which was an incredibly rugged unit.

For small tractor loader work, the weak link is the clutch, not the transmission. If you have a clutch that will stand heavy work and slipping, a standard transmission is just fine. Kubota's won't. HST transmissions don't use the clutch, so the clutch doesn't burn out.

 

[jgrreed]

I like my HST. It's easy to use, offers good, precise control at a wide range of RPM/Power, offers constant speed via the cruise control, and, so far at least, is robust enough for any work (field or loader) I've put it through, which is a fair bit.

-Jer.

 

[crazyal]

HST was a simple choice for me. For snow removal with a blower I don't know you would keep the RPM up and slow down for drifts or deeper snow. My Case BH has shuttle and it works great. I think it also looses something powerwise over gear like HST does but it's a much larger machine so power is less of an issue.

 

[/pine]

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

 

[RoyJackson]

HST was a simple choice for me. For snow removal with a blower I don't know you would keep the RPM up and slow down for drifts or deeper snow.

Depends on the gear transmission type...
The 4400 Deere has a synchonized reverser transmission. Since the gears are synchonized (but not the ranges), it's just a matter of downshifting.

I will admit I have no experience with snowblowers (although I love watching snow plowing and blower vids on Youtube!) since my drive isn't long enough to justify even a rear blower.

 

[_RaT_]

Not sure what HST transmission has that inherent design, Kubota's do not. With the engine off, the selector range in any range, you have considerable effort to overcome the the frictional forces in an HST. When you say you only have the brakes, if that were in fact true, that is still an overwhelming stopping ability option, better then any other really as far as the tractor is concerned especially when in 4WD. When the engine is running, HST is absolutely superb in bringing a tractor to a stop and with adjustable HST response time in the newer tractors, its only gotten more customizable. I cannot think of any design that does it better.

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

 

[dex3361]

not that it is a common occurrence...but if you're on a hill of any grade and you lose power (for what ever reason)...with an HST you only have your brakes...

I have shut my HST tractor off on the hill and never experienced the runaway tractor that you describe. My understanding is that if you do not set the brake and the tractor creeps forward far enough to pump the fluid out of the HST then it will freewheel. But I do not think it is immediate like if you missed a gear or if your foot slipped off of the clutch (both of which I have done with a geared tractor and it was scary and could have been tragic) I operate a HST on the hills and find that the HST is safer because you don't need the brakes while changing directions or when stopping.