Transmission Question

[inveresk]

With my hst, I mow by selecting low gear, setting the revs for 540 at the pto (2580 on the engine) then I can go as fast or slow as ground conditions dictate by using the cruise control. If I want to stop or back up, I ease back on the cruise control and the tractor stops short without using the brake pedal. It also holds me on the hills I have here without the brake (up to 15%). I can back up without changing gears, by simply heeling on the foot throttle rather than toeing it. Again, if I lift off the throttle, the tractor stops quickly. Even for a novice like me, it's easy, comfortable and safe.

 

[Highbeam]

I have run both and currently own HST. In my opinion, anything with frequent changes of direction is best suited for the HST. You just move your one foot from forward to back, no need to stop or to worry about a time when your tractor can get away from you. I find that the HST offers very good engine/tranny braking by simply letting off the pedal. I have yet to use my brake except for as a parking brake. I set the rpm for pto 540 to keep the blades up to speed and can go just as fast as I want in any direction to allow the engine to power through thick brush or to fly through thin. It isn't as mechanical and manly as gears and clutch but the HST is about ideal for what it sounds like you want to do.

 

[Trail_Time]

I agree. Having HST and steep hills, I know from experience the HST is great. You really never need the brakes. To stop you simply let off or tap the opposite direction pedal. If you plan to do direction changes on a hill wih a considerable grade, I think you will feel more comfortable using the HST.

 

[indebt]

Thanks guys that is the info I was looking for.

 

[Highbeam]

Also consider the automatic deadman safety feature. If I fall off the tractor, it stops moving. The blades stay spinning but the wheels won't turn. It's a comfort deal, though I don't fall off that often.

 

[JRobyn]

Mowing/hogging on steep field edges was exactly why I decided on HST. It is everything I needed and more. Very stable and reassuring. You can do everything with just the HST pedal, no brakes, no clutch. If in doubt, go find a dealer with a steep place on his lot like I did and try it out. It made an instant HST fan out of me.

 

[indebt]

I was origionaly looking at the shuttle shift models to save some money but after reading all of the comments I will definetly lean toward the hst. The price difference is minimal over the long hall , and saftey is important to me (more so the older I get). Hst would be easier for my wife to use anyways (If I show her /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

 

[SacandagaBrad]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If it slips out of gear, you only have the rear brakes to slow you down, you lose all engine braking. )</font>

Yet another advantage of FWD. As long as you remember to have it engaged, you also get braking power to the front. Its one of the main reasons I make sure to have it in FWD for loader work, it still stops even with reduced traction on the rear wheels.

Brad

 

[JoeL4330]

I have posted about this elsewhere, too. Something else to think about when mowing on steep slope nose down (e.g., backing up the hill). If I am on my steepest hill with loader or grapple on front and mower on back it is critical to be in 4wd. Otherwise, with the mower down (i.e., weight off the back) the tractor wants to rotate about the front wheels as a fulcrum ...and the rear wheels lose most contact with the ground! You can see where this is headed... downhill, fast. Don't ask me how I know. I have HST and couldn't operate as well without it.

When I got into "toboggan ride" condition in 2wd, brakes were pretty useless, and the only answer besides steering and praying would be to raise (raise!) the mower, which is seemded counterintuitive at the time.

 

[kevincook]

In cars and trucks I prefer manual transmissions, although I don't currently own any /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. My last tractor was a manual transmission and when I bought the L3010 5 years ago I was skeptical about the HST transmission. The mechanics told me that they HST transmissions were just as reliable as the manual transmissions and that I would like using it better. After five years I am sold on the HST for tractor work. With the HST you won't ever need to touch the brakes when your mowing, even on the hills. I would recommend the HST highly........now if I can just get Ford to put a manual in an Expedition /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Good Luck,
Kevin