Buying Advice HST vs Gear Transmission - which would you recommend on this tractor ?

[4570Man]

Hst is just too slow . If you need to go down the road . It feels like your crawling

The op made no mention of potential models so I can’t do meaningful comparison. Using a Kubota L3901 for comparison the HST model runs 1 mile a hour faster than the geared model. In any case that’s a given spec for most if not all tractors. You can see if the speed is going to work for you without ever leaving the house. And there’s not going to be much difference.

 

[4570Man]

What, no mention of being able / not able to operate individual foot brakes?

That's a classic.

I don’t use them very often but on occasion they’re great. I wouldn’t buy a tractor without them unless it was a killer deal.

 

[Buckchaser]

Wow..Great input from all of you..Thanks for sharing your experience. I can see that there are advantages and disadvantages of Hydro vs. Gear for the types of use. If the MF 1734 had a cruise on the Hydro, I would go with Hydro, but not having cruise for brush hogging a flat field , not sure..If I didn't have a MF dealer a stones throw away, I might take a look at some other tractors with more options for the same price range.. Like a few of you suggest , I'll drive both types and see how much pedal pressure I feel with the HST and try the clutching on the gear and see what each feels like . I can see advantages of both.. It's a toss up. Dang, maybe I'll just flip a coin..

 

[Deere Dude]

maybe i should have said unfamiliar with a clutch rather then not paying attention. i have seen it happen on more then one occasion so it DID compute for me in my decision to go hst.

I have been in hilly situations pulling logs out of ravines where precise forward/reverse control is a must. Even if very familiar with clutches A little to much clutch release, over you go. A hydro is better for minute movements....or RPMs are up and you take your foot off the pedal you stop, vs. take your foot off the clutch, you are gone.

Had my competent BIL load some 8' logs in my pick-up from the side. Small CUT Gear shift with the tractor nose 4 inches from fender of truck. It worked out but I sure was nervous as precise control is needed and would have been so easy to dump the clutch accidentally.

I have a cruise control and I never use it, I change speeds to often even on a long lawn. I i hit a bumpy patch I don't want to keep driving through, I just lighten up the gas a little.


HST hands down.

 

[CobyRupert]

What, no mention of being able / not able to operate individual foot brakes?

That's a classic.

I don’t use them very often but on occasion they’re great. I wouldn’t buy a tractor without them unless it was a killer deal.

I meant the classic issue that always comes up about how on many HST models you can't operate / steer with the individual brakes without taking your foot off the "go" pedals, unless your have cruise control.

 

[4570Man]

I meant the classic issue that always comes up about how on many HST models you can't operate / steer with the individual brakes without taking your foot off the "go" pedals, unless your have cruise control.

The layout of some brake pedals could be better but I don’t use them enough to care. Some tractors ( JD is the only one I know of) don’t have split brakes at all.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I know you hydrostat drivers don't have much hearing left, but for the rest of you, check this out... The fun starts up at about 3:30 in...

Can a Compact Tractor lift a 1/2 Cord - YouTube

There's some real life for you and it's common across the board of brands...

And YES, I have both, hystat and gear drive tractors...

Make my NEW tractor a gear model, pleeeasee...

BTW, if the tractor doesn't have split brakes, I don't even want it on my place!

SR

 

[4570Man]

How many HSTs have you used? Some are definitely worse than others. Either his cab makes it really bad or his camera is being finicky. Listen how loud the loader hydraulics are. I have average hearing and don’t notice the loader noise unless it hits relief pressure.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Used?? I probably own more hydrostats than you do tractors, along with more than a couple gear drives...

The more you post the more it's obvious, why you call yourself 4570 instead of 220 SWIFT! ha ha ha

SR

 

[LouNY]

Well let's see 4 pages of posts an every thing from hydrostats are junk to gear drive are junk and unoperatable.
My personal preference is a gear drive tractor. Will your dealer bring them both so you can operate them where you are comfortable?
I also have a very strong preference for individual rear brakes that are usable.
One thing I have not seen mentioned is the PTO on the models you are considering, from what I have seen most all of the hydros have an
independent PTO, but many of the lower end gear tractors have a live PTO with the old style 2 stage clutch. If that is the case with the ones you are looking at
that would be my deciding factor. Independent PTO would be the drive for me to go hydro.
Enjoy