HST with a loader?

[gmsssi]

Does loader work hurt HST? A dealer in my area does not recommend purchase of a loader with HST. He doesn't even stock HST tractors! I will have extensive loader work and I'm worried about a tractor purchase with HST in the 28-35HP range. Anyone had HST repair work done? Loader involved? Warrantied today are 2 years and I don't want to repair my HST on the 3rd year......LOL!

 

[RalphVa]

Sounds like an old-fashioned dealer way behind times. Yeah, the HST takes away some power in hydraulic losses but makes it a whole lot easier to do loader work: quick forward and backward movement. My 410 loader is a snap with HST. I'd hate to have to use my neighbor's old JD 820 with gear drive and 2 handed loader controls (at least I hope the dealer offers them with the newere joy stick control).

Ralph

 

[DmansPadge]

I think your dealer is living in the past... he probably also thinks that cars should use carburators instead of fuel injection! I wouldn't have anything other than HST for FEL work. I personally have never heard someone say such a thing. Come to think of it... I've never really heard much talk about HST trannys having any trouble. I think they are built quite well these days.

 

[_RaT_]

One word, ridiculous. I cannot believe your dealer said that. Talk to my dealer, he'll straighten you out /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Also, go to Tractorsmart.com and look at the infor pages. Good info about tractors.

 

[JimR]

He's from the old school. A HST is a breeze when it comes to moving dirt. Not to mention no sore knee from clutching. My knee would be killing me if I did all the work I do with my HST with a standard shift.

 

[tc33brad]

A few weeks ago, although it seems like an eternity now I put on around twenty plus hours of loader work and I'm ever so thankful I have hst. A friend had a Woods loader put on his tractor last fall and while he loves have a loader now he wishes he had a hydro instead of a gear transmission. My dealer claims that hydro trannies are one of the best things to happen for the smaller tractors and most rental places that have cuts around here would agree.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The 30hp 5 year old Kubota B2910 HST I use would probably be a good example of what your dealer doesn't have a clue about. Well past the warrenty stages it is still a flawless tractor. Most of the work has been loader work or box blade work.

I suspect your dealer would say the tractor is unusually relaible? From everything I can see, it is normal. HSTs have very few reliability issues, I've been told HSTs will run over 5000 hours. Most operators run them under 100 hours a year. So that make them reliable for 50 years. Most also argue that HST makes for faster and more efficient loader work even with the slight power loss; consequently lower power actually yeilds MORE work done in LESS time because it is faster/easier to use.

Your dealer says one thing, it seems like the industry says quite the opposite. So what brand is he trying to sell you and is it even available with an HST in the size you are looking for? Now nobody here would say you can't do loader work with a gear tractor, but I suspect the majority would say it is less efficient to use a gear tractor for loader work.

 

[PineRidge]

Some folks just don't take well to change. He's probably still got a Model T in his garage too.

I'll bet if you tell your dealer that you made your mind up to purchase an HST that he'll change his tune.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

As opposed to your dealer's thinking, doing loader work was the primary reason I wanted HST. I've done a fair amount of loader work on an older Ferguson, a Ford, and a Kubota, all with good old gear transmissions. They were all so much slower and physically more work than my JD 4310 that I wouldn't ever want to go back to them.

Tom

 

[KiotiJohn]

It probably has a lot more to do with what the dealer can afford to floor plan, cutting corners on costs by not ordering the higher priced HST units. What he said is simply outrageously incorrect.
John