LS MT225 Synchro vs HST

[Username Taken]

I think if you're going to do much loader work, the Hydro is a better choice. Plus, I've read of issues with transmission clutches on people doing loader work with the synchro.

Worth reading --

XR 3135 synchro shuttle or hydrostatic transmission??

I'm a newbie, I have 1720 with a clutch-gear tranny and want to move up a bit in power... Seriously considering a XR3135 with FEL AND turf tires. We'll be using it mostly for mowing, brush hogging and occasionally loader usage. I've had smaller lawn tractors with hydrostatic but not at all...

www.tractorbynet.com

All I know is what I read but it can't hurt to look into it before you pull the trigger

 

[3gunr]

I have both , I had to grade my road today and dig out the ditches. my shuttle is at my house and i was wishing for my hst which is at my farm. no comparison. I ran my shuttle for 15 yrs and thought it was great until i got an Hst. I could not believe how much easier it was to do loader work and mow or brushhog around lots of trees. Better for everything except heavy pulling. Plows disks and the like.

 

[LittleBill21]

I think hst whine noise is tractor specific, every single hst kobota i could hear it whining for miles. my mahindra HST is dead quiet, just the way i am use to it. i can drive a stick with 0 issue, i would never own one, where i wasn't going in straight lines for a long time.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Think its well covered but the whine....normal. Different pitch or volume maybe between brands/models - but they all whine. My Kubota whined just as loud and as annoying as my LS. The Deere is actually LOUDER then my LS.

In a tractor this size, HST.....I see no real disadvantage over gear.

Bigger tractor....well, there's a reason you cant get a MT573 in HST.

 

[Texasmark]

I would like those of you who have LS tractors (especially those with MT series) with the 12 speed synchro transmissions to give me feedback on your experience and what you like/dislike about them.

Some background: I have been looking into the purchase of a small tractor/loader. I have considered Massey Ferguson, Kioti, New Holland, LS, and Kubota. For a variety of reasons, I have pretty much decided upon a LS MT225. The prices are fair, there are dealers that seem responsive within driving distance, the tractor size is right, and I have been impressed with the reviews and comments on this forum.

Now I need to decide: Manual/synchro or HST. I'm guessing that most people who buy tractors in this size range buy HST. When I lived in the mountains west of Denver, Colorado, I had a Kubota L4240HST. It was a great tractor and met my needs at the time. My one complaint was that the transmission was noisy: It whined - a lot.

I used that tractor for a mix of work. Some loader work, digging and moving dirt about, digging up big boulders, stream management, brush removal, snow removal, and lots and lots of tree management and firewood work. I now live in mountains again, in northwestern North Carolina. I'm now older (not necessarily wiser) and am opting for the smaller tractor to do the same functions on a smaller scale. I grew up on manual transmissions, and am comfortable with them. I learned to drive on a Ford 8N.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Phil

I was looking at another brand of tractor because I was tired of my non synchronized manual shift transmission I purchased when buying that brand. I accidentally wound up dealing with an LS dealer. I asked him what did LS have in a Synchro Shuttle. In short, he talked me into the MT 225S hydro.

Well this is my first hydro tractor in 43 years of learning how to farm, going through some couple dozen tractors to 100 hp in the process...all my lawn mowers are hydro's however. Well with this tractor there is no whine!, Access is remarkable. Tranny is a dream. After running this thing for several weeks now, I am glad I listened to him and went with this model with this tranny....seems old dogs can be taught new tricks and like it. Wink!

 

[Mrsig]

I have HST and mine dose not sound loud compaird to the other tractors I test drove. I like this system and did not wont to have to change gears.

 

[Texasmark]

I would like those of you who have LS tractors (especially those with MT series) with the 12 speed synchro transmissions to give me feedback on your experience and what you like/dislike about them.

Some background: I have been looking into the purchase of a small tractor/loader. I have considered Massey Ferguson, Kioti, New Holland, LS, and Kubota. For a variety of reasons, I have pretty much decided upon a LS MT225. The prices are fair, there are dealers that seem responsive within driving distance, the tractor size is right, and I have been impressed with the reviews and comments on this forum.

Now I need to decide: Manual/synchro or HST. I'm guessing that most people who buy tractors in this size range buy HST. When I lived in the mountains west of Denver, Colorado, I had a Kubota L4240HST. It was a great tractor and met my needs at the time. My one complaint was that the transmission was noisy: It whined - a lot.

I used that tractor for a mix of work. Some loader work, digging and moving dirt about, digging up big boulders, stream management, brush removal, snow removal, and lots and lots of tree management and firewood work. I now live in mountains again, in northwestern North Carolina. I'm now older (not necessarily wiser) and am opting for the smaller tractor to do the same functions on a smaller scale. I grew up on manual transmissions, and am comfortable with them. I learned to drive on a Ford 8N.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Phil

I have shuttle on my Branson 6530...65 hp size 30 frame. I was going to get the geared 225 (It is synchromesh and the Branson wasn't) but the dealer first of all steered me toward it rather than a similar size/model I thought I wanted and he said that he could work an HST all day without getting tired.....hmmmm. All of my half dozen lawn mowers are Hydros...wouldn't have it any other way...just a mindset change...never thought about a tractor being a hydro......well "Pilgrims" (John Wayne caption) times have changed.

I bought the 225 to replace a manual shift Branson 2400 and one of the reasons I was trading was to get away from the manual (vs synchromesh) tranny for a little do everything around the place "handy-man". The second reason was the getting on and off the Branson was a pain. The 225s solved both problems nicely. For a 25 hp tractor with a Yanmar diesel, that is a stout little sucker...hands down! I think this supports what I said above...didn't check.

 

[kormidoit]

I have many years driving gear vehicles...10 years driving tractors with HST. My environment (tight turns, hilly, tons of trees ) I live in and do tractor work...HST is a great option.

 

[Texasmark]

Think its well covered but the whine....normal. Different pitch or volume maybe between brands/models - but they all whine. My Kubota whined just as loud and as annoying as my LS. The Deere is actually LOUDER then my LS.

In a tractor this size, HST.....I see no real disadvantage over gear.

Bigger tractor....well, there's a reason you cant get a MT573 in HST.

My 225 Doesn't whine...period. Sorry!

 

[Texasmark]

LS tractors come with cruise control on the HST. It is a lever on the right side that you can push down with your left foot to set the speed. I have a MT225e with HST and it performs well, but it does make a lot of noise. No big deal to me, but at first I was concerned there was something wrong. The only other minor issue is that you have to turn up the RPM's in order to use high range or it will stall the motor. Low range has plenty of power for digging into sand with the loader. So there really aren't any major issues with it and it is really easy to use.

"The only other minor issue is that you have to turn up the RPM's in order to use high range or it will stall the motor." Daaaaaa really?

Who would have ever thought putting a vehicle in high gear and letting out the clutch would stall the engine................at idle rpms no less.