New L4701

[wmonroe]

If all your going to do is grass cutting HST is okay. If your going to get the tractor dirty or in tight areas HST is a pain. You have to be a contortionest to operate the brake steering and HST pedals for tight turns. when there is dirt in the forward Reverse pedals starting the tractor can be a pain. Sure one can clean and lube the pedals 2-3 times a day but I just want to work. Both of my gear drive tractors have the 1st gear and reverse in line for easy forward and reverse shifting. My right foot is free for operating the brake pedals and Locker Pedal. Everyones situation is different, HST means ear protection if you don't have a cab. My use is 50% trail and offroad. I need the locker daily and its just not available and very fragile on my newer Kubota. My gear drive tractors are 45 and almost 30 years old with original clutches and drivetrains, hoping my B3200 will have a good long life too.

Tight areas is one of the places a hst really shines since you have very precise control of your movement. I've had my tractor for 3 years and my parents for over 25 years and neither have required cleaning or lubing the pedals ever. I do wear ear protection if I remember but it's because of the engine and I also need/wear it on my gear tractor. I'm not saying a hst is the perfect tractor for all situations but it's not as delicate or useless as you describe. I have a gear and hst tractor that are almost the same hp and if I could only have one it would be the hst, and my uses vary from mowing, cutting hay, raking hat, baling hay, rototilling, plowing snow, box blade, blah blah.

 

[s219]

Having owned/operated both, I'd say gear is fine for mowing and general use. For any sort of back and forth loader work like moving materials, I hate gear and much prefer HST.

 

[All In A Days Work]

The L4701 HST has a really nice cruise control which would work good for spraying and mowing. This is the first tractor that I have owned, but I have operated several different tractors over the years. And sense I do a lot of loader work there was no question that an HST was the option for me.

 

[TomSeller]

For the stated use, a gear will do great. Saving money is good. Power shuttles do well with loaders, not as well as HST, but very adequate. Can you fwd/rev without the foot clutch?

 

[Fallon]

I don't believe the economy tractors have a power shuttle. HST or gear only. Don't remember if the gear is a crash box or synchronized like a stick shift car.

My L3200 doesn't have cruise control & the L3201 I saw didn't either. I'd assume its an option, not standard equipment on the economy models.