Standard Shift tractors and loader work

[npaden]

Okay, I'm still trying to narrow down the tractor that I need and have about decided on the XM5000 with the LA-852 loader.

I will be using this as my only tractor on my 42 acres that would need to be used for grading my road, mowing pasture and brush, plus some occasional loader work. The primary useage will be on the road and mowing, not on loader work.

So I'm looking for opinions from people who have standard shift tractors that use them for loader work. It seems that it wouldn't be too difficult to operate picking up a load of dirt or gravel in a relatively low gear and pushing the clutch in once you have a good scoop and getting the loader situated and then putting it in the gear you want and moving it and dumping it. I do see how a HST transmission would be a big plus here, but it comes down to is it worth it to step all the way up to a 5030 at $26,700 over the MX5000 at $22,000. (Considering I've already just talked myself into the MX5000 over the L4400 at $19,500) I realize there are a few other nice features on the 5030 but the transmission is the only one that I see as a big plus from a practical standpoint.

I would just appreciate input from users of standard shift tractors who use them for occasional loader work. Does it work fine or do you really regret not getting a HST or GST transmission?

Thanks, Nathan

 

[Toolguy]

Farmers used loader tractors with standard shift transmissions for years before shuttles and HST were developed. HST is a luxury item like power windows and locks on a car. If you don't think you need it, you don't. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice feature and saves time and effort and I have it on my tractor, but do you need it? No.

On the other hand, if you plan on owning the tractor for a long time, over the years you may come to wish that you had it. It is very nice for mowing and the above mentioned loader work. If you buy it now you probably won't regret it after you have used it. I know it can be a tough decision. When I bought my B3030 I had thoughts of a cheaper model in my head but decided to spend the extra money since it should last me the rest of my life and I will get a lot of use out of it. You only live once so I think it is better to get the best you can afford on the big purchases and if you need to cut corners somwhere, do it on the small items that don't matter as much. JMO. Good luck.

 

[Bird]

I think Toolguy's answer says it quite well.

 

[npaden]

Okay, one more wrench to throw in the mix.

Which is more useful for the applications I mentioned - a GST or HST transmission?

 

[npaden]

Another option to keep in the general price range I've been looking at would be to drop down to a 4630 for less hp but get the GST or HST transmission on it for an out the door price in the $24,700 range.

There are just too many options!

 

[rdln]

I have a GST on my JD and dont have a problem with loader work though I went from an old GST lawn tractor to new HST and wouldn't go back.

 

[kingoflawns]

Hst is a luxury, last kubota was a 2 range, new kubota is a 3 range, imho it's the way to go. B3030 HSDC 403 fel, very pleased with this setup!

 

[RobJ]

it's all what you can afford. if you can then no real need to ask. if you can't then the money could buy something else that'll be used more. FEL with a gear tractor is just a bit slower.

Good luck, rob

 

[ksmmoto]

I grew up operating Allis-Chalmers D-14 and D-15's with standard shift. They worked fine for their time, but if time is important HST will be the way to go.

I couldn't believe how fast and easy loader work was when I rented a B2910. Now I own a L3430 HST and love it. Sure the HST cost more, but if you keep your tractor forever it will pay off. Even if you sell your tractor an HST will sell faster and at a higher price.

ksmmoto

 

[Av8r3400]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... The primary usage will be on the road and mowing, not on loader work. ...)</font>

PTO HP and drawbar pull are your main concerns with these, right? Does not the gear type tranny excel here? These were my primary uses, too, so I bought the L3400 with the shuttle.

I like the hydros, definitely. They are very convenient and work well with little if any problems compared to the gear. I don't use the tractor for hire, just for my own private use, so speed is not necessarily a problem for me and I don't mind a clutch.

But, overall the two things held me back from going to the HST:

1. $$ (I'm cheap)
2. I think the wife is less likely to want to drive the manual tranny. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[N80]

I've got an L4400. It only comes as a gear drive. The reason that I got the L4400 was that I wanted the most power I could get for about $20K. And that was the L4400.

I've done extensive loader work during the last 6 months and operating the gears/clutch has become second nature. My left knee does start to get a bit sore after a few hours.....but its an old knee.

I also like simplicity. I work my L4400 very hard. Maybe too hard. And I suspect that a gear drive is easier to fix than an HST. Or cheaper anyway.

I like to be in complete control. I don't like automatic transmissions in cars or trucks. A full manual tractor makes me feel like I'm totally in control of how much power I'm putting on the ground. (It may be an illusion...but I like it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

But the main thing was getting the most power for the money.

And so far, I've never driven an HST and I hope to keep it that way because if I did, I'm sure I'd like it.

 

[grandad]

If you are going to be mowing, scraping the lane and doing chores with the loader, you may not need the extra 10% size and hp of the 5030 vs 4630. I operate a 4610 (previous generation equivalent to the 4630, and I've occasionally considered what the 50 hp rig would allow me to do that I can't get done now. I couldn't think of anything significant besides drinking 10% more diesel fuel. The 5030 would probably drive a bit larger bush hog, for example, but I don't need more than a 6ft mower for my property anyhow. And the 4610, with HST has never wanted for power under any conditions.

As said by others, you can certainly do loader work with a straight shift. But you might think about wear 'n tear on that clutch and gearbox if you are doing any serious loader work. For example, I did a typical weekend project around my place this afternoon moving almost 100 old stumps down to a gully using the FEL. I would have probably gone through the clutch-shift-clutch cycle 500 times in one afternoon with a straight gear tractor, but it was totally seamless with the HST.

Regarding GST vs. HST, it's a matter of preference. Suggest you test drive both and decide for yourself. Many thousands of both types have been operating for many years... I don't think there's any evidence one is more reliable than the other.

I sure hope all this advice is helpful to you!

 

[btolle]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( mowing pasture and brush, plus some occasional loader work. The primary useage will be on the road and mowing, not on loader work.)</font>

I use my B7510 for bush hogging and having The HST is really nice when I am working around trees. I can easily back up and get a little closer to a tree.

It is also nice to be able to speed up instantly when I am making turns on areas that have already been mowed.

Sadly, due to 5 bypass surgery and a staph infection I am forbidden from getting on my Kubota for at least a couple of more months.

Bill Tolle

 

[texredneck]

glad your surgery was sucessfull. Youll be back on the rig soon enogh. Just remmeber your health ismost importnat. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[BGL990]

I've got a JD 990 and do quite a bit of loader work. I don't find it a problem at all. I too came from driving nothing but "old iron" and my new 990 was absolutely luxurious to drive in comparison. The smooth light effort clutch, slick shifting transmission, power steering, brakes that actually work, padded seat, etc. made it feel like driving a Lexus compared to the old Farmall M or Case DC4. Doing loader work with it is a piece of cake. I'm not sure how other tractors are set up, but my 990 has 1st gear and reverse directly in line with each other which makes changing directions quick and painless. Just tap the brakes and clutch, flick the shifter forward or back and off you go. Takes maybe 1 second to switch.

Basically, if you have the money to spare and want it, get the hydro. If you want to save some money, get a standard and don't worry about it.

 

[schole]

I certainly agree with the last post. For me, I was tight for $$, so getting the most hp for my $$ was paramount. As it is, I feel very spoiled with my L3400DT. SHawn

 

[mj1angier]

Before I got my L3130 I looked at all the gear set-ups ... standard, gst, hst... My first choice was GST but could not justify the cost between it and the standard. I now have 10 hr on the tractor- all of it using the FEL /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I have no complaints about the standard shift- using it in 3-4 hrs time frames has not been hard on me. And I think in the long run that the tractor will last longer than the HST and cheaper to repair if it does break.

 

[txdon]

npaden, I too started out with an old Farmall (1947 "A"). I had used my Father's geared Ford with a front end loader before I bought my tractor. For loader work HST is a an option that really make it easy and enjoyable. One hand is always on the joy stick and the other is aways on the steering wheel and I'm constantly moving.

 

[kingoflawns]

I use my tractor to make my living. We apply some very expensive lawn chemicals, Flight control goose repellant is $225.00 per gallon. What im getting at here is that proper application rates can be the difference between making or losing money. With the hst i get my ground speed set and engage the cruse control. This allows me to concentrate on the operation of the sprayers, spreaders, or sometimes both simultaneously, without needing to clutch & shift. For large scale lawn care operations, hst is a must IMHO.