Tractor upgrade? HP vs HST what do you think?

[a5t1]

I currently have a 29hp w/ HST and I do a good amount of snow removal, loader work. I also do grading, etc - general hobby farm work with the tractor.


I have an opportunity to upgrade to a 60hp unit but it's a power shuttle instead of a HST. Huge upgrade in power of the tractor, question is - will I hate the PST?

 

[Grandad4]

I currently have a 29hp w/ HST and I do a good amount of snow removal, loader work. I also do grading, etc - general hobby farm work with the tractor.

I have an opportunity to upgrade to a 60hp unit but it's a power shuttle instead of a HST. Huge upgrade in power of the tractor, question is - will I hate the PST?

That's mostly an individual thing. Some people get confused when changing from a straight shift to an automatic while others go from one to the other and don't give it a second thought. I would expect that going to a much larger tractor will itself be such a different experience, the change in operating procedures will just fit right in. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[JerryK]

I have a PST and a HST... I much prefer the HST for snowblowing... but the PST would be my second choice over a standard gear unit. You learn to OP each in time...

 

[ovrszd]

You are right on the breaking point.

In my opinion, a 60HP tractor should be gear drive with hydraulic shuttle.

Also, in my opinion, anything under that can be whichever best suits your needs.

Have a good friend on here that has a 57hp HST Kubota and loves it. He also has a 85HP Hyd Shuttle Kubota and loves it.

Normally, at that HP level there's a lot of difference in chassis weight and size between say a 60HP tractor and a 50HP tractor.

What brand are you looking at? How much difference in weight and size is this change??

 

[Raincoast]

I have a power shuttle in my 45 HP kioti & don't mind it at all. There ARE times when I'd really like the convenience of hydrostatic. If I was in a hurry, I'm sure the shuttle would frustrate me, at times, but I'm never in a big rush. I also don't do a whole bunch of loader work...

 

[jenkinsph]

I recommend you try it out before you buy to make sure you are comfortable with the power shuttle. For the work you listed I would also consider a 60 hp hydrostatic tractor that is what I use for grading and other close quarters work. If you are keeping the smaller hydro tractor then I would not be as concerned.

 

[GManBart]

For the tasks you mentioned, an HST setup would normally be a bit more convenient/efficient, but making such a huge jump in power will likely make up for it in overall time spent. There are times when I miss not having an HST machine around, but most of the time I'm glad I jumped up to something with twice as much power, three times as much weight, and a power shuttle.

 

[TSO]

If your main use is just plowing snow, power shuttle would be fine.

Personally, I wouldn't put any limit on how much HP would be appropriate on a tractor with HST. I'd be happy with a 100 HP HST machine, as long as the hydraulic pump is sized appropriately.

There are always die hards in both camps, but the general consensus is that for finesse work (loader tasks), snow blowing, and in certain brush-hogging and mowing settings, HST is preferred. For heavy ground engagement tasks like plowing, discing, road travel, etc ... Shuttle is preferred.

I have owned both and I will confirm that a gear trans definitely puts more power to the ground... But for my particular uses, I'm much more efficient with HST.

 

[TomSeller]

I don't mind a PS in that HP range. Mostly to me the HST is nice in precision work where you need fine control. The PS is much, much better than a clutched shuttle or straight gear.

 

[a5t1]

It really comes down to a value purchase.

To "upgrade" would only cost me around $4k. I like the HST, however, that tractor is just limited in what in can do in terms of lifting. The vast amount of work I do is loader work / moving things around the farm (using forks), moving snow, etc.

I think I'm convinced to go with the bigger tractor and just learn to love the PST.

I wonder if it's a similar discussion as the side to side vs cradle peddle on HST. I've had both, I learned to like both of them.


Thanks for the replies.