New AutoHST

[ddivinia]

Who came up with this crap? I predict it will go away soon - probably won't last a year.

D.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Take the existing Ehydro twin pedal system, add a switchabble (on/off) link between throttle and hydo and THEN you have the ultimate.

Then you have Kubota's Auto-HST!

 

[ddivinia]

I truly don't get it. A combo of power reverser and a e-hyrdro? The brake is on the right - correct? Above the HST pedal?

I like the brakes on the opposite side - no confusing where it is.

I tried that skateboard thingy on the kubota - I'll pass.

As far as putting the machine in neutral - you can do that with the selector, but the machine might roll. Just take your foot off and put on the parking brake.

Somebody clarify this new setup for me. I might have to go drive one just to see it.

D.

 

[ddivinia]

Below is the press-release from Deere on their new AutoHST system for the 35/3720, I have also attached a few pics. from the article...

AutoHST - New transmission option for 3520 and 3720 Compact Utility Tractors
------

Why screw up a pretty much perfect design?




AutoHST is designed to resemble an automotive-type control system. When the operator sits in the seat, he or she will feel right at home; the controls resemble those of a car.


Automotive-like features:

Lever on the left for Drive-Neutral-Reverse to engage the transmission
Single "go pedal" on the right to go forward or backward
Single brake on the right, like the brake in a car
Beyond this simple layout, AutoHST has all of the features that eHydro provides such

Last time I checked, the brakes in a car were on the left - not above the gas pedal.

D.

 

[dfkrug]

Well, my 955 had a single brake pedal above the go pedals on the right,
and a dual brake pedal on the left. It met the needs of someone wanting
to use the right foot, as well as separate braking with the left foot. Does
the AutoHST have brakes on both sides?

What I do not get is why Kubota has stuck with the foot pedal dry clutch for
their HST-Plus tractors. Why not use an electro-hydraulic PTO clutch like JD?
Keeping that clutch pedal keeps them from putting the dual brakes on the
left and I know of a chain of rental yard that won't consider Kubota since
renters ruin tractors with foot clutches. I see that Kubota has a new
compromise brake dual-pedal system on the Grand L40s where the pedals
are just right of center, left of the go-pedal.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

What I do not get is why Kubota has stuck with the foot pedal dry clutch for
their HST-Plus tractors. Why not use an electro-hydraulic PTO clutch like JD?

Kubota has had electro-hydraulic clutches on the L's since the 10-series from the late 90's. There is still a main clutch to ease starting, and so you can feather PTO attachments up to speed if you want. They really could remove the cluch completly, but there are some applications where you still want it. The PTO clutch is hydraulic.

I know guys here fuss about turning brakes, but your average customer knows nothing about it, would never use them, and will be none the wiser.

 

[dfkrug]

Kubota has had electro-hydraulic clutches on the L's since the 10-series from the late 90's. There is still a main clutch to ease starting, and so you can feather PTO attachments up to speed if you want. They really could remove the cluch completly, but there are some applications where you still want it. The PTO clutch is hydraulic.

I know guys here fuss about turning brakes, but your average customer knows nothing about it, would never use them, and will be none the wiser.

How does a foot clutch ease starting? We are talking HST tractors here,
not GSTs or FSTs.

For what applications do you still want a foot clutch on an HST tractor?

Although I find the centered brake pedals an improvement on the Lxx40s,
JD is a clear winner over Kubota, Kioti, and others when it comes to foot
brake placement on many of their tractors.

 

[cdhd2001]

How does a foot clutch ease starting? We are talking HST tractors here,
not GSTs or FSTs.

For what applications do you still want a foot clutch on an HST tractor?

Although I find the centered brake pedals an improvement on the Lxx40s,
JD is a clear winner over Kubota, Kioti, and others when it comes to foot
brake placement on many of their tractors.

Ditto! All the pedals on the right side of the Kubota sent me straight into the Deere dealership.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

For what applications do you still want a foot clutch on an HST tractor?

Cold weather starting is one, a main cluch can disengauge the transmission and takes that load off the engine. Your spinning the hydro-pumps even when the tractor is not moving. I personaly prefer a cluch over a switch for operating some implements. A post hole digger is the first thing that comes to mind, I just find it easier to operate with a foot cluch than a switch. Implements like chippers are better featered up to speed than suddenly snapped on. Its really an amount of personal preference, there is no dire need for a clutch and year after year its offered on less models. So I'm probably the exception.

 

[dfkrug]

Ditto! All the pedals on the right side of the Kubota sent me straight into the Deere dealership.

I hope that is not the only reason. As MESSICK correctly points out, many
users have little need for the separate braking. In my recent comparison of
the JD4720 versus the L5740, the latter edges out the JD slightly due to a
better HST and it is quieter. The use would be on a golf course and separate
rear wheel braking is forbidden, due to turf damage.

 

[cdhd2001]

I hope that is not the only reason. As MESSICK correctly points out, many
users have little need for the separate braking. In my recent comparison of
the JD4720 versus the L5740, the latter edges out the JD slightly due to a
better HST and it is quieter. The use would be on a golf course and separate
rear wheel braking is forbidden, due to turf damage.

Pedal were the biggest factor. I personally hate any rocker type hydro control. Other factors were size, fit/finish, dealers. and pricing

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Nobody else thinks it would have been smarter to simply add (selectable on or off) a link between the twin hydro pedals and the engine speed?

I don't necessarily NEED separate brakes, but I sure like having them...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Thats what Kubota did, they may have patented it. Seems you can patent anything anymore.

 

[dfkrug]

I agree the auto-throttle on the HST-Plus is an advantage over the
eHydro. It is just a matter of time before you see this on the JD, IMO.
Maybe NH, Kioti, others, too.

As for the 2-pedal HSTs like JD's versus the single rocker pedal HSTs,
I have many hours on both kinds and I like both, with the following
exceptions:

> the rocker pedal can be operated standing up as when I am positioning
my pallet forks precisely. I do a lot of fork-lifting where I need to creep
fwd or rev to get my fork tines exactly placed.

> I can find the correct part of the rocker pedal without looking, as when
I am backing up and turned around. With 2 pedals I often hit the wrong
one.

One other note: I get used to either pedal arrangement and it becomes
2nd nature quickly. However, I was regularly operating one of each
(JD and Kioti) and switching between CUTs with the different pedals is
a bit of a problem. I do not recommend it.

 

[Engine66]

I'm out. I like the twin pedals over this new system. I do so much reversing with my right arm hung over the seat or grabbing the ROPS that having to remove my left hand from the steering wheel to switch directions would become annoying. That's just my humble opinion...then watch me in a few years brag about buying one of these...that would be so typical of me. BUT, I have yet to get navigation on in any of my cars.