L3410 GST or HST

[smthng2do]

Pretty much a majority call here. I prefer the HST as well. The GST is great though. Depends on the application I suppose. HST's are so [censored] easy to work with. The only thing I don't like about the HST is that your limited with your turning brakes. Unless of course you have asplit right heel that is capable of being in two places at once, you can only really use it when the tractor is in cruise control. You mentioned stomping on the HST pedal for movement. Well, Kubota implemeted a hydraulic control valve on the pedal. When you push forward, you are basically only pushing the control valve. By doing this, they eliminated the "Tired Leg". It used tobe when you came to a hill, the force of the oil would work backwards, and actually create like 12 pounds of pressure...so you would get a work out. Fine if it works both legs right, but ya don't wanna be lopsided. With this change, Kubota has made the HST as smooth as silk. No clutches to worry about, etc. I think the HST is the choice machine. It is not a very loud machine, even at full throttle. Let us know, and good luck with your decision.

 

[sammyboy]

Thanks for your valued opinion re; GST or HST. I can hardly believe it but after going and trying an HST on Sunday I came away liking it much more than the GST. Yes I'll lose some HP with the same tractor in HST but I really loved the smoothness and with an L3410 for what I'll be using it for that's more than enough ponies. I can afford to lose a small amount of breakout force ect. Thanks

 

[jedens]

I just took delivery of an L4610 HST last friday. Up till friday the only tractor I drove was a manual transmission. I can't speak to the GST from experience except demo'ing at the dealer. My dealer tried to steer me to GST but based on what I've read here I went with the HST. I now have 8 hours on it and I'm very glad I have it. Even if you don't do a lot of FEL work there is always reasons why you want to go from front to back quickly such as frequent turns maneuvering between trees, positioning for 3 point hitch connection, etc. I'm short (5'6") and normally needing to keep pressure on a pedal is tiring, but with the 4610 seat adjustments and the ease of the HST pedal I didn't feel any leg fatigue with approximately 4 hours of seat time two days in a row over the weekend. I'm now a strong believer in HST.
Joe

 

[Darren]

I use an HST on hiily terrain and nothing else does as well. Nothing beats slowing down to a crawlwithout clutching and still maintaining pto rpm for the implement. Anything you do whether it's mowing a heavier patch of grass or a hitting a thicker windrow of hay when baling, the HST lets you back off ground speed easily and let the implement work at full speed without stalling the engine.

Because of that you can run a larger implement than you might expect withan HST as compared to a standard transmission. You have creeper speeds that no standard shift tractor has outside of a Unimog.

 

[JATO_RaT]

As much as I like my HST tractor, I wish it could do one thing that a "gear tractor" can do and that is to mow at a much quicker speed. In medium, I find the speed much to slow. I hate running the engine at full PTO RPM which means even slower speed. High is not nearly strong enough to pull my hills. The solution for me is to keep my International for mowing. I find it as easy or easier to mow with it then my Kubota with HST. As far as everything else, your not going to find anything easier and probably safer then HST. Loader work is so nice with HST. I would like to try a GST tractor at my place just to see how the mowing would work. Also, I would like to change the pulley or gearbox configuration on my 84" mower so that I can keep the same blade speed while reducing the RPM of the engine. I find mowing is such a low demand on these tractors that I can easily mow at 1800 RPM with no lugging. My International has 2 PTO's, a 540 and a 1000 RPM, I use the 1000 RPM but cut the engine RPM in half or 1200 RPM, its so quiet and easy on fuel and very rarely gets loaded up. I believe for my L48, my maximum torque is at about 1700 to 1900 RPM. Rat...

 

[steveky]

I just purchased a L3010 HST... I went to the dealer and had already made up my mind I was going with the GST. He told me to at least drive the HST before I decided. I went with the HST and I've never regretted it for a second. Whatever you decide you'll be happy with your Kubota, mine amazes me everytime I use it.

Good Luck

Steve