Looking at upgrading

[rScotty]

Tested out the Workmaster and did not like it much. I guess that rules out the LS as well. I drove the Kubota 3301 and liked it quite a bit, but the hst had a very very loud squeal.Will that become quieter after it breaks in? My current tractor is quiet most of the time.

There isn't any HST noise on our Kubota unless we ask too much of it when the range shifter is in too high of a range. Like starting up an incline in high range.....then it will squeal. Downshifting is the cure.
If the 3301 is in the running, I'd try the exact same move in a lower range or on a different 3301. Then you'll know.

In almost every instance when someone has told me that something will become "quieter when it breaks in" that has not been the case. Or if it was true it meant that something was wearing prematurely.

The one exception with HST noise that I know for sure happened is because it happened to me on our own Kubota. I stil can't explain what I happened and the dealer didn't want to hear it.
I had changed to a different HST fluid (one of Kubota's own trans-hydraulic fluids) and when I started it up the the HST definitely made more noise... not bad, but a sort of background whining noise that got louder when I gave it more throttle. . So I did the obvious thing - immediately panicked - and changed back to the old brand fluid. The noise went away as if it had never been. That was years ago & no problems.

If it hadn't happened right there to me where I knew exactly what had been done then I would have a hard time believeing it. My dealer still doesn't believe it happened ....
That's about all I know about HST noise, except I'd stay away from a noisy one myself.

rScotty

 

[chim]

......................................................... I drove the Kubota 3301 and liked it quite a bit, but the hst had a very very loud squeal.Will that become quieter after it breaks in? ............................

It won't become quieter, and the noise varies between models. My L3200 was noisy from day 1. It did get slightly better after changing the hydro fluid to Super UDT II. It was loud enough that I needed ear protection when wearing a wide-brimmed hat. The brim seemed to reflect the sound back to my ears. I could get by without ear protection when wearing a baseball cap or no hat.

The L4240 isn't obnoxious at any RPM / speed, or whether I'm using the PTO or not. There's a world of difference.

I had a B7500 before the L3200 and the hydro noise from it was somewhere between the L3200 and the L4240.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I think I am going Kioti for sure. I think I will end up with a DK4710se. Pretty nice machine. It checked all the boxes.

 

[coobie]

Checked out Kioti CK3510 and DK4710se. Both were fantastic. Leaning toward the DK.

I have had 2 DK 40 tractors first one 2008 with shuttle shift second one 2012 cab Dk 40 HST tranny.Both have been flawless.The only reason for the sale of the 2008 DK40 had my knee replaced and got sick of the clutch.

 

[Tractorable]

Those new Kioti DKXX10SE tractors are super nice, especially the cab models. I like the lever they have on the back for raising and lowering the 3pt. All tractors should have those.

 

[searcyfarms]

yes there are those buttons now on some of the large farm tractors for raise/lower 3 point arms it makes things easier to connect a creeper button for lining up drawbar pins would be excellent as well!!!

I liked the kioti when i looked at the deere and it was the closest i got from any other manufacturer trouble is the closest dealer for me is over an hour one way - and resale i dont plan to keep my deere for many years - daedong has been around for a while so no fly by night company - they didnt make a 72inch MMM tho for the 30+ hp chassis - from what i know of them they sound like great machines

 

[MESSMAKER]

yes there are those buttons now on some of the large farm tractors for raise/lower 3 point arms it makes things easier to connect a creeper button for lining up drawbar pins would be excellent as well!!!

I liked the kioti when i looked at the deere and it was the closest i got from any other manufacturer trouble is the closest dealer for me is over an hour one way - and resale i dont plan to keep my deere for many years - daedong has been around for a while so no fly by night company - they didnt make a 72inch MMM tho for the 30+ hp chassis - from what i know of them they sound like great machines

When I was at my local Kioti dealer this week. The regional sales guy was there. He said the ck35 and the DK42 were selling above expectations. He said he felt like they had turned the corner and were on near equal footing with a few of the big boys now. He said that thy no longer had to just sell on price. He said he thrilled with the amount of repeat buyers that go Kioti, He also said that engineering has helped as well. He said several of the major players are putting out good tractors that have not kept up with the times. He claimed that Kioti had been more innovative and responsive to customers.

 

[grm61]

When I was at my local Kioti dealer this week. The regional sales guy was there. He said the ck35 and the DK42 were selling above expectations. He said he felt like they had turned the corner and were on near equal footing with a few of the big boys now. He said that thy no longer had to just sell on price. He said he thrilled with the amount of repeat buyers that go Kioti, He also said that engineering has helped as well. He said several of the major players are putting out good tractors that have not kept up with the times. He claimed that Kioti had been more innovative and responsive to customers.

How about a cab? now is the time to give that serious thought
And a backhoe to save even more money

 

[Ricn]

RScotty has it right. I did just that when looking to replace my old tractor, ended up with the Kubota HST mostly because of operator room, comfort and dealer I felt cared about me afterwards. Price was my least concern and my dealer has been great.

Ricn

 

[searcyfarms]

every HST/hydro drive i have owned is noisy under heavy load in a higher gear, I have owned 7 been around 2 others my dad ( country clipper ) and best friend ( grass hopper ), two fords, one mont ward, one deere, a Scat Trak, and 2 Volvo. In low they are not very noisy under load like in high - WOT negates that noise as well to some degree.

Think about it like power steering on your car, when you hit the stops on the steering, it gets noisy, pump/oil is under max load/pressure. Hydraulics/oil have to make noise so its normal. Do you make more noise when you are under stress? Same principle.

Its a gentle reminder HEY, you might want to gear down OR speed up engine OR get another angle.............or stop and relax and ponder things a bit instead of blowing your top

i see so many folks run their tractors/pumps at idle and expect things to work - ever wonder why when you move a Skid Steer they go to WOT on their own? Yes i know hydraulic motors/pumps are a little different however flow is flow and when you are pressing things you need it.

It will cause extra stress to not have pressures that are needed when stressing drive especially on clutch packs etc.....

Tractors are designed a little different i get that but starving anything hydraulic results in poor operation and to some degree a bit of extra wear.

I would rather hear some noise than no noise its an indication that things are working ;-)

out of ALL of those machines, and all the hours I put on them, ONLY ONE failed - a Sundstrand/Sauer 3 section pump in the Skat Trak, spun a drive coupler between one of the sections and ruined the shaft splines so it had to be replaced. AS you can see, HST/Hydro drives are usually VERY reliable if given care and kept clean. Do the maint just like you should. The fords were Eaton/Tecumseh, not sure about the wards, Skat/Volvo both Sundstrand/Sauer, not sure about the deere never looked, grasshopper G2 drive pumps/motors, country clipper i believe are parker.

Super loud noise at all times is one thing, noise of varying degree depending on load is another.

I am a firm believe that maint/operator make a HUGE difference in a machine especially when it comes to the life of it.

Make sure you keep the cooling fans working as well, hot oil is not good - some have oil coolers, some have electric fans, some have fans driven off PTO shafts, etc......keep them in good working order.