hydrostat noise

[4tillingdirt]

Does a hydrostat transmission become noisier as the tractor ages? Just thinking ahead because I want a hydro on a compact tractor, but I know some of them whine when new.

Thanks

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

Maybe, maybe not. Not sure why all the concern about the hydrostatic transmission whine. My little compact BX2200 is over 17 years old and have not notice much change over it's life. Get more noise from motor when WOT and mower deck engaged.

Dave

 

[CMV]

They're all a little different but neither of mine was so loud that you cared. You hear it, but not louder than engine noise. I don't notice it at all on my NX, did somewhat on my LS.

I wouldn't even put "level of HST whine" on my list of stuff to compare among machines. Just a non-issue to me.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

From the way some people described it, I expected an annoying high-pitched shriek. Took me a while to even distinguish the sound under the engine noise. Can't hear it at all while working; only when zipping along from one area to another. Kinda like a cat yowling off in the distance. Maybe if you spend a lot of time traveling full-speed down roads, it could become annoying.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've owned six Kubota HST tractors over the years and they were all noisy. I never noticed any change in the gear whine with age but they did quiet some when I switched from UDT to SUDT2 transmission fluid.

To me, the HST noise is a very minor price to pay for the convenience of the hydro-static transmission functionality.

 

[sdquick]

I've owned six Kubota HST tractors over the years and they were all noisy. I never noticed any change in the gear whine with age but they did quiet some when I switched from UDT to SUDT2 transmission fluid.

To me, the HST noise is a very minor price to pay for the convenience of the hydro-static transmission functionality.

I agree that any noise is a very small price for the convenience. I also am not sure about all the talk about the HST noise. I am sure it makes some noise, but so does the big diesel engine 3 feet in front of you. In summary, my thoughts are: Tractors are noisy. HST is great!

 

[Jstpssng]

My hydro whine drowns out the sound of the engine. Even with double hearing protection (plugs and muffs) it's still annoying, especially when running it for hours at a time.
I'm going to try the SUDT2 as some have suggested, but 6 1/2 gallons at 20+ bucks per I haven't done it yet.

 

[Deere Dude]

I owned my JD CUT since 2010 and never knew there was a trans. whine problem until I read it on here.

 

[ProjectKing]

Hydro noise varies a lot by tractor model. For example some Kubota’s are very loud and other very quiet.

Like sdquick above... my L3301 really whines. I’m getting more used to it but I think it certainly is an improvement point for Kubota to work on. Other tractor that really whines are B21 and B26 backhoes from Kubota. They really scream.

 

[Jstpssng]

Hydro noise varies a lot by tractor model. For example some Kubota’s are very loud and other very quiet.

Like sdquick above... my L3301 really whines. I’m getting more used to it but I think it certainly is an improvement point for Kubota to work on. Other tractor that really whines are B21 and B26 backhoes from Kubota. They really scream.

I'm glad to hear that, as I've been concerned that the noise might be why the original owner of my 3301 traded. I honestly don't see the advantage of HST vs my old 275 gear box.. with shuttle shift I never found it difficult to shift from F to R.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Seems to vary by brand/model. Mine is barely detectable.

 

[art]

About two years ago we got a call from a fellow about hydro whine. When the tech got to the property the customer was using the tractor doing some grading. When he pulled up to the truck to talk with the tech he noticed that the tractor lurched to a stop when he pulled up. He released the brake petal lock and asked the customer to try it again. Took care of the whine! Cost to the dealer for customer satisfaction about 200 dollars!

 

[jk96]

If hydro noise is a concern you might look at Case or NH line of CVT tractors. I've got the red version, Case 55C cvt. Love the tractor. Owned 3 different hydro tractors over 10 years before this one. No hydro noise, no need to change range the majority of the time. Almost everything is done in high range due to how the cvt functions. You can also leave the RPM's down when not using your PTO and the engine ramps up and down as you work the gas. Slow to a stop and the engine drops back to idle. Perfect for any type of loader work.

 

[Mainahs70]

My NX5010 hst cab has noticeable whine though the whine is minor compared to the need for HST. Only have 29 hours on it and will go to SUDT at 200 hrs.

 

[jeff9366]

I've owned six Kubota HST tractors over the years and they were all noisy. I never noticed any change in the gear whine with age but they did quiet some when I switched from UDT to SUDT2 transmission fluid.

I owned a Kubota B3300SU/HST tractor-loader package with 91.4 cubic inch/four cylinder engine. The HST whined considerably, abetted by the 33-horsepower engine achieved that power at 2,700 rpm. Like BDHSZ6 I switched to Kubota Super UDT2 hydraulic fluid and the whine was reduced noticeably. Money well spent.

My Kubota L3560/HST with three cylinder 114.4 cubic inch/37-horsepower engine is very quiet.

Y'all should be wearing ear plugs while tractoring or, like me, you will need $4,000 hearing aids by age 65.

 

[Thomas]

Does your HST have in line screen which may cleaning?

 

[TnAndy]

I had a New Holland that had nearly no noise. My neighbor currently has a New Holland that literally screams....I can hear it running from 1/2 mile away. I've asked "Isn't something wrong with that tractor ?" But the dealer has convinced him it's normal.

 

[4570Man]

My L3800 whines bad. My L3240 had almost no whine.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I owned a Kubota B3300SU/HST tractor-loader package with 91.4 cubic inch/four cylinder engine. The HST whined considerably, abetted by the 33-horsepower engine achieved that power at 2,700 rpm. Like BDHSZ6 I switched to Kubota Super UDT2 hydraulic fluid and the whine was reduced noticeably. Money well spent.

My Kubota L3560/HST with three cylinder 114.4 cubic inch/37-horsepower engine is very quiet.

Y'all should be wearing ear plugs while tractoring or, like me, you will need $4,000 hearing aids by age 65.

Or just forgo the hearing aids entirely. Very few people on this earth are actually worth listening to anyway. Cuts out the useless chatter.

 

[Coyote machine]

Around 2010, when I bought my second Kioti, a DK-40se/HST it had a real loud squeal, most always in reverse. I worked with Kioti to fix it and we did, along with other members chiming in. There is a long thread about it from that time frame.
It took a length of hose installed at the point where a bunch of hydrostat lines converge under the left side floorboard to quash it, but it worked and became a part of the new tractors after being field tested.

Sometimes hydro whine(s) can be annoying, but it seems they seldom do any severe damage to the tractor, except possibly depleting resale value when it comes to selling one to a new owner.