Narrowed it to 5035, now HST or PST? Pros and cons to each, anyone?

slofr8 · Jun 23, 2012

rubicon79 said:
Like everybody says drive both but whichever you buy you will quickly learn to use.

That being said my dad had a 4240 Kubota HST for a while. To me it seemed weak, it wouldn't drive on the trailer in medium range. It simply doesnt put all the power to the ground. With a shuttle, PST, gear etc. it will either pull, stall, or spin. The HST will just sit there and whine. He got rid of it and even his RTV. He thought all he would want was an HST but after owning them he didnt like them.
When it came time for me to buy my first tractor I bought a shuttle. I like having the foot throttle and not having to run around with my motor revved up to do any work. It is not as precise in loader work but it is better in field work IMO. I prefer to bush hog with a shuttle. It isnt that you cant be as precise with loader work it just takes a little more effort having to work the clutch and brakes.

My girlfriend is all of 104 lbs soaking wet and prefers the shuttle. She said the HST felt like a lawnmower lol. She drives the tractor almost as much as I do!!

Whichever you get there will be times when the other will be better but just think what you will be doing the most of and go from there. I know when I get on an HST tractor I dont like it but I would imagine that when an HST tractor owner got on my shuttle shift he would feel the same. When spending $20k+ I don't think the difference in price should make a difference.

I tried a shuttle at a Kioti dealer and knew it wasn't for me.Had to stop to reverse direction. While looking at the 4035, I told him of my experience with the shuttle and he said that it must not have been sincro (sp). He jumped in a 45 hp cub that had a shuttle shift and went back and forth with the reverser spinning the tires on wet, sealed hot top,and it never ground a gear. I have to admit,that,I could get used to. I really like my HST but a shuttle that works like that one did might be as good for my application.
Dan.

Hermio · Oct 24, 2014

I haven't used the Mahindra, but I have used a Kubota HST for years, as well as a Ford gear drive. In my experience, the HST is more reliable, as the clutch for the PTO hardly gets used. Clutch change on either tractor requires splitting the tractor in half, an expensive deal. For plowing, the gear drive is more efficient. For loader work, the HST is much better. Generally, the HST is also better for mowing, if the area to be mowed has thick and thin patches. IMHO, HST is also safer when in the woods, as it will stop when you take your foot off the HST pedal as long as you do not have "cruise control" set. (I would NEVER!!!! set the cruise control in the woods.)

WM75Guy · Oct 24, 2014

I agree with the others that the HST is a better all around utility transmission. I like to keep one hand on the steering wheel without a lot of swapping hands. My TC40DA has the HST with a FEL. It's nice to be able to go into reverse and always have one hand on the steering wheel and one on the joystick. It's also used to drag the arena, similar situation when turned to back into corners. Left hand on steering wheel, right hand on the back of the tractor. My Boomer 8N has a CVT which uses a shuttle shift lever. It does not have a loader and most my mowing is pasture, not trees. So one hand for the shuttle, one for the steering wheel. If I was row cropping I would go for a plain gear transmission and save my money.