Kubota HST vs standard transmission

[RobertN]

Curious what the extra maintenance is?

The two tractors I have had over the last 14 years have not required much; fluid and a filter.

Between TBN, and the local shop I go to, I have heard of only a couple HST's going funky since I joined here originally in '98.

Depending on the size tractor, it can be an easy $3-4000 extra, plus more maintenance expense. Unless really abused, I doubt that many of us will ever wear out a clutch on these tractors.

Ken

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Curious what the extra maintenance is?

The two tractors I have had over the last 14 years have not required much; fluid and a filter.

Between TBN, and the local shop I go to, I have heard of only a couple HST's going funky since I joined here originally in '98.

That's one of the old myths from the 50s/60s, probably wasn't true then and absolutely isn't true now. There have been several Kubota Dealer Mechanics posted here that the HSTs are more reliable than the geared and require less maintenance. Also almost all owners that have had them for years, I'm not one of them that has had them for years I'm one of those that has had several over the years, that have never had any problems with their HST. It's a myth.:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

That's one of the old myths from the 50s/60s, probably wasn't true then and absolutely isn't true now. There have been several Kubota Dealer Mechanics posted here that the HSTs are more reliable than the geared and require less maintenance. Also almost all owners that have had them for years, I'm not one of them that has had them for years I'm one of those that has had several over the years, that have never had any problems with their HST. It's a myth.:laughing:

Maybe he just meant the cost of the extra filter on the Hydro...Small price to pay in my book. As for riding the clutch while backing to an implement, doesn't everyone do that?.. I know I sure did.. and digging with the Front end loader, and pushing on things... yep I did my share of clutch riding. on that last 'bota. I never had any trouble with it though.. Pretty tough little bugger. But I still like my hydro best. Until the thought controlled transmission comes along, the hydro is the closest thing to it:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[RobertN]

I put over 800 hours on my old B8200HST. I know the guy who bought it from me. Since '98, it has had regularily scheduled maintenance based on the manual. That's it. fluid and filter changes. It's at 1300 hours or so now.

Funny, I saw a B2150 that used to belong to a friend with similar hours. HST working just fine. The clutch went on it...!

That's one of the old myths from the 50s/60s, probably wasn't true then and absolutely isn't true now. There have been several Kubota Dealer Mechanics posted here that the HSTs are more reliable than the geared and require less maintenance. Also almost all owners that have had them for years, I'm not one of them that has had them for years I'm one of those that has had several over the years, that have never had any problems with their HST. It's a myth.:laughing:

 

[Bluegill2]

Have had both, but I went with gear drive on my new L3800. I just like the simplicity and actually like using a clutch. Love this tractor!

No matter what a person get, you will get used to it.

 

[Grateful11]

I wouldn't have another gear drive if it was given to me. I'm a light to medium duty user and the ease of an HST is just hands down better. Front end loader work is so much easier, as well as getting in and out of tight spaces is so much easier when you're mowing, plowing tilling, etc.

I about have to agree. I don't use the L3940 a lot but what I have it's been great. My left leg is in such bad shape more a couple clutchings of an older tractor, like IH 686 or the IH 574 that's used on the farm operation and my leg is about shot. My wife said just the other day she didn't know what they would do without the Kubota. The CaseIH 5140 has Shuttle shift with Power Reverser so it isn't too bad. To my knowledge there's never been any problem with heat and loss of power with the HST, it's almost 2 years old and has over 300 hours on it.

 

[wcampbell47]

I have both a geared and HST Kubota. The geared tractor is 21 hp B7510 and the HST is a B3200. The HST is now my tractor of choice for all the tasks I used to do with the 7510. Loader work is much easier and faster, mowing is more controllable especially working around buildings and trees. When mowing your engine and PTO speed is constant and the HST makes changing direction so easy - much easier than the geared tractor. If you were mowing 100 acres then a geared tractor might make more sense, but around a small place HST is my choice.

 

[Ken45101]

The extra cost of maintenance I was referring to on a HST is the UDT oil. When you get to the bigger tractors (50 hp and up?), I'm pretty sure the hydraulic oil changes are not cheap, added to the $3-4000 more additional cost.

Yes, you have to change the transmission oil in a geared tractor too but you don't need the super expensive UDT oil and I don't think the fluid changes are as often or require as many gallons. When you are bringing home several 5 gallon jugs of UDT....

Ken

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I wouldn't have another gear drive if it was given to me. I'm a light to medium duty user and the ease of an HST is just hands down better. Front end loader work is so much easier, as well as getting in and out of tight spaces is so much easier when you're mowing, plowing tilling, etc.

Have to say as I age this sounds better and better. The old BH as no clutching reverser and when I get on the MF that requires clutch use I am not as happy.

Most any hip/knee surgery will keep you off of a clutching tractor longer I have found.

 

[k0ua]

The extra cost of maintenance I was referring to on a HST is the UDT oil. When you get to the bigger tractors (50 hp and up?), I'm pretty sure the hydraulic oil changes are not cheap, added to the $3-4000 more additional cost.

Yes, you have to change the transmission oil in a geared tractor too but you don't need the super expensive UDT oil and I don't think the fluid changes are as often or require as many gallons. When you are bringing home several 5 gallon jugs of UDT....

Ken

Well I sure can't speak to any other tractors requirements, but I checked the manual on my L3400 Kubota, and the service change interval is the same for the fluid, 400 hours. whether gear or Hydrostat. The gear case holds 7.3 gallons. The Hydrostat hold 6.2gallons.. the fluid it calls for is the same for both.. UDT or SUDT. So to my mind it looks like the Hydrostat is a little cheaper on fluid, and the only extra expense is the filter..

James K0UA