Non Syncro Tranny Savings and question?

kubotacres · Apr 1, 2012

I'm not a transmission expert by no means. I know how to perform maintenence and know the overall functions of how the transmission works. However I'm trying to understand why Kubota opt for the "NON" syncro transmission instead of having a syncro? I own the New L3200 with the manual transmission that has been available on the Kubota L's (not grands) for some time. My only guess is cost savings?? But can it really be that big of a cost savings from a Manual Shifted Syncro to a Non Syncro transmission?? Honestly when i first drove my L3200 for the first time I started to shift it like my old Jubillee Ford i owned. I was quickly told (from the grinding,and salesman)

that you had to stop and shift gears.. Altough I have gotten used to stopping, it really aches me to the point that I wish i had got the Hydro. But the hydro would have been my last choice with Kubota's options of transmission In all their tractors. I love my L with the only minor compliant being the transmisison. I guess I can live with it until I can step up to the Grand with a GST. Any info??

David_Kb7uns · Apr 2, 2012

Well on the standard or economy L series you have a straight cut gear or hydro transmission. On the heavier built Grand L series there is the FST(fully synchronized transmission), GST (Glide Shift transmission) and the Hydrostatic. Just like cars Kubota has placed different tiers of performance and options on their tractor line. A good salesman will usually point out the increased benefits that the Grand L series has and why the higher prices are justified such as the hydrostatic power steering, heavier front axle, external 3pt lift cylinders, position on 3pt hitch, isolated operator platform and increased loader lift capacity.

David Kb7uns

Verticaltrx · Apr 2, 2012

The main reason they don't make it synchro is to up sell the Grand L machines.

My guess is it will start to shift a little better as it gets a few hours on it. I have a Ford NAA as well and it should be the about the same transmission design as your Kubota. In theory you should be able to up shift on the fly with little trouble, but down shifting would either require stopping or double clutching. At least that is the way my NAA is and most other non-synchro trannys I've driven.

LT1Pat · Apr 2, 2012

I was able to shift on the fly with my l245dt but it took some skill and I previously drove a semi with a non-synchronized transmission.

ddb123 · Apr 3, 2012

I have an L4300 with the non-synchro transmission and up shifting on the fly is smooth as silk. Have never tried downshifting.

kubotacres · Apr 3, 2012

I can neither upshift or downshift without grinding the heck out of the tranny. And my old Jubillee transmission is nothing compared to the L3200. With the NAA i didn't have to let the rpms die down to idle to shift. With my L3200 the rpms have to be idle before it will shift...

Furthermore I understand the difference's between all of Kubota's transmission types. My question was why the Non-Syncro gear shift is unable to shift while applying the clutch like the older tractors and what cost savings part made this difference?

ddb123 · Apr 3, 2012

kubotacres said:
I can neither upshift or downshift without grinding the heck out of the tranny. And my old Jubillee transmission is nothing compared to the L3200. With the NAA i didn't have to let the rpms die down to idle to shift. With my L3200 the rpms have to be idle before it will shift...

Furthermore I understand the difference's between all of Kubota's transmission types. My question was why the Non-Syncro gear shift is unable to shift while applying the clutch like the older tractors and what cost savings part made this difference?

According to my manual I have the same non-synchro gear shift as you and it says I have to stop to shift, but I can still upshift on the fly. I don't know why I can but you can't.

KennyG · Apr 3, 2012

You learn something everyday. I didn't know any tractor had a synchronized transmission. You can upshift any non-synchro transmission relatively smoothly if you are patient and let the input shaft coast down to match the ground speed for the next gear. Downshifting would require double clutching and you can certainly do it, but the limited rpm range on tractors makes it a little touchy.

kubotacres · Apr 3, 2012

ddb123 said:
According to my manual I have the same non-synchro gear shift as you and it says I have to stop to shift, but I can still upshift on the fly. I don't know why I can but you can't.

strange...I'm gonna spend some time tommorow with shifting and try some different speed shifting.. I dang near have to be stopped in order to shift into any gear.

With the NAA i didn't have to slow the tractor down. Just push in the clutch and shift. Now downshifting was a different story.

ddb123 · Apr 3, 2012

kubotacres said:
Furthermore I understand the difference's between all of Kubota's transmission types. My question was why the Non-Syncro gear shift is unable to shift while applying the clutch like the older tractors and what cost savings part made this difference?

I'm guessing it's some combination of strategic upsell strategy and the actual cost of the synchros (the part that pre-matches or 'synchronizes' gear and flywheel speed when you move the gear selector). Probably less about saving money than it is about getting the customer to buy the next model.