Transmission type selection

[Gordon Gould]

Are you talking about the HST or the tractors themselves? Posts/threads on bad HST systems are few and far between. I'm not saying HST is perfect but, "lots of problems and troubles"??

I probably should not have commented because it is just the impression I have. But it seems there is a lot of talk about over heating, noise, vibration, excessive whining, broken fans that require splitting the tractor to fix, inability to use steering brakes, foot pedals that don't return to center ... stuff like that. I am happy with what I have, even doing hours of loader work in the cold moving snow banks back along the road and if others are happy with thier equipment that is all that is important.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I probably should not have commented because it is just the impression I have. But it seems there is a lot of talk about over heating, noise, vibration, excessive whining, broken fans that require splitting the tractor to fix, inability to use steering brakes ... stuff like that. I am happy with what I have, even doing hours of loader work in the cold moving snow banks back along the road and if others are happy with thier equipment that is all that is important.

The broken fans are only an issue on the Kubota BX series and the discontinued JD2305. Rather than having a radiator style cooling system they have a fan blowing directly on the cooling fins of the transmission. This fan is located underneath the tractor which is fine for mowing but not so good for forging a path through the woods. They do whine but I don't even notice it anymore and the diesel is already making a lot of noise. I have pallet forks on my tractor and I really like how surgical I can be with HST, I can literally creep forward with millimeter accuracy. There is a little lose of PTO HP due to the HST, but several HP is already going to the hydro pumps regardless of HST or gears.

 

[Gordon Gould]

It is a world of trade offs. But maybe I have the wrong impression. I wonder if I could do what I like to do best without a hand throttle to set the RPMs, a free right foot to operate the differential lock and steering brakes, and a free left foot to stomp on the clutch in a hurry if things start going wrong. If I need to use a clutch for loader work thats fine with me it seems like a small price.

 

[TripleR]

I probably should not have commented because it is just the impression I have. But it seems there is a lot of talk about over heating, noise, vibration, excessive whining, broken fans that require splitting the tractor to fix, inability to use steering brakes ... stuff like that. I am happy with what I have, even doing hours of loader work in the cold moving snow banks back along the road and if others are happy with their equipment that is all that is important.

It sure is.:thumbsup:

The really hard part is predicting with what someone else will be happiest.

 

[TripleR]

It is a world of trade offs. But maybe I have the wrong impression. I wonder if I could do what I like to do best without a hand throttle to set the RPMs, a free right foot to operate the differential lock and steering brakes, and a free left foot to stomp on the clutch in a hurry if things start going wrong. If I need to use a clutch for loader work thats fine with me it seems like a small price.

Gordon, you say you have never used an HST, I have found it very difficult to determine what works best without trying it.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is." - Yogi Berra

 

[Gordon Gould]

Gordon, you say you have never used an HST, I have found it very difficult to determine what works best without trying it.

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is." - Yogi Berra

I agree with that 100%

 

[RoyJackson]

Gordon, you say you have never used an HST, I have found it very difficult to determine what works best without trying it.

Same most likely applies to HST people discussing gear transmissions meaning they've never operated a gear tractor.

I have, BTW...buddy of mine had an 855 Deere and now has a 4310 with hydro. I haven't operated the 4310, but I've got some hours on the 855.

 

[k0ua]

Same most likely applies to HST people discussing gear transmissions meaning they've never operated a gear tractor.

I have, BTW...buddy of mine had an 855 Deere and now has a 4310 with hydro. I haven't operated the 4310, but I've got some hours on the 855.

Thousands of hours, and 16 years on 2 gear tractors, a few hundred hours and slightly less than 4 years on 2 hydro tractors. For what I do now, its hydro for me.

James K0UA

 

[Soundguy]

hard to argue about gears being better than HST for laoder work, except that a shuttle, especially a power shuttle is decent .

for plowing.. I like gears. for open mowing.. I like gears.. etc.

just my opinions..

soundguy

 

[flusher]

Which transmissions are better suited for front loader work,
HST, GST, or gears?
I was thinking about a HST but am wondering about gears.
What about for tilling, plowing, bush hogging, finish mowing?

For field work (plowing, discing, mowing, planting, raking, baling) where you drive the tractor in one direction with infrequent turns, a gear tranny (shuttle shift type is nice) is a good choice.

For frequent FEL work, HST has benefits when a lot of reversing is required.

My Kubota B7510HST had a hydrostatic tranny. My current tractor, a Mahindra 5525, has a simple gear tranny (8F/2R) without shuttle shift. I've taught myself to use the 5525 for FEL work and it's no problem since I'm never in a rush when I'm using my tractors (haste makes waste--and sometimes trips to the ER).

 

[foggy1111]

Hmmmm.....where have I heard this argument before? Heres my take:

For precise positioning when picking up trees with my grapple I like the Hydro.

For precise positioning when locating my stump grinder I like the Hydro.

For loader work I like the Hydro.

For operating a tiller I like the Hydro.

For operating a box blade or landscape rake I like the Hydro.

For operating in close quarters in timber I like the Hydro.

For ease of use and lower fatigue I like the Hydro.

For operating a snow blower or snow plow I like the Hydro.

For operating a brush hog in the woods and around obsticles I like the Hydro. (open country makes little diff)

For plowing and discing in open areas Gears are just fine with me....and save a few ponies. I seldom plow or disc anymore.

I like the Hydro.

 

[Mark Page]

Hmmmm.....where have I heard this argument before? Heres my take:

For precise positioning when picking up trees with my grapple I like the Hydro.

For precise positioning when locating my stump grinder I like the Hydro.

For loader work I like the Hydro.

For operating a tiller I like the Hydro.

For operating a box blade or landscape rake I like the Hydro.

For operating in close quarters in timber I like the Hydro.

For ease of use and lower fatigue I like the Hydro.

For operating a snow blower or snow plow I like the Hydro.

For operating a brush hog in the woods and around obsticles I like the Hydro. (open country makes little diff)

For plowing and discing in open areas Gears are just fine with me....and save a few ponies. I seldom plow or disc anymore.

I like the Hydro.

Like He Said!!!!

 

[TripleR]

Same most likely applies to HST people discussing gear transmissions meaning they've never operated a gear tractor.

I have, BTW...buddy of mine had an 855 Deere and now has a 4310 with hydro. I haven't operated the 4310, but I've got some hours on the 855.

I agree completely. I have also found that while it is good to try a tractor out on the lot, it really takes several hours of actual use to fully appreciate how something will work for you.

I also often find a correlation between skill level/experience and age affecting a preference for one over the other.

 

[k0ua]

Hmmmm.....where have I heard this argument before? Heres my take:

For precise positioning when picking up trees with my grapple I like the Hydro.

For precise positioning when locating my stump grinder I like the Hydro.

For loader work I like the Hydro.

For operating a tiller I like the Hydro.

For operating a box blade or landscape rake I like the Hydro.

For operating in close quarters in timber I like the Hydro.

For ease of use and lower fatigue I like the Hydro.

For operating a snow blower or snow plow I like the Hydro.

For operating a brush hog in the woods and around obsticles I like the Hydro. (open country makes little diff)

For plowing and discing in open areas Gears are just fine with me....and save a few ponies. I seldom plow or disc anymore.

I like the Hydro.

yeah what he said:thumbsup:

 

[Rockgod]

Hmmmm.....where have I heard this argument before? Heres my take:

For precise positioning when picking up trees with my grapple I like the Hydro.

For precise positioning when locating my stump grinder I like the Hydro.

For loader work I like the Hydro.

For operating a tiller I like the Hydro.

For operating a box blade or landscape rake I like the Hydro.

For operating in close quarters in timber I like the Hydro.

For ease of use and lower fatigue I like the Hydro.

For operating a snow blower or snow plow I like the Hydro.

For operating a brush hog in the woods and around obsticles I like the Hydro. (open country makes little diff)

For plowing and discing in open areas Gears are just fine with me....and save a few ponies. I seldom plow or disc anymore.

I like the Hydro.

:thumbsup:

 

[wedge40]

Ok, I've read almost all of the replies to the OP's questions.
One question keep coming into my head.

Everybody agrees that if you're doing field work, plowing etc, that a geared transmission is best. But nobody has said WHY? Does and HST have problems with long straight heavy loads?

Wedge

 

[Gordon Gould]

I will stick my neck out here so it can be chopped off if I am wrong but I will learn in the process.

My impression is that they tend to over heat when subjected to contiuous hard labor.

But I don't own a HST and could be very wrong.

 

[nybirdman]

I have owned HST tractors for seven years.My primary work is tillage.I pull two bottom plows,roto-till and harrow.About ten acres total of garden and food plots.Winter work eight ft.FEL mounted snow plow and rear blade.
If were doing hundreds of acres,no doubt a large gear tractor would be called for.My current tractor is 44hp,summer work the air is on;haven't had any problems.
I think for the average or new tractor owner HST is the way to go.I have used gear tractors in the past,HST,IMO is the way to go.I have about 700 hrs. brush--hogging,KEEP THE RADIATOR SCREENS CLEAN.

 

[k0ua]

I will stick my neck out here so it can be chopped off if I am wrong but I will learn in the process.

My impression is that they tend to over heat when subjected to contiuous hard labor.

But I don't own a HST and could be very wrong.

Its not that they overheat, it is just that they consume power and there is no advantage of the HST if the tractor's prime job is pulling the plow. I have worked my Kubota hard for 8 hours doing loader work in 100 degree heat, not a single sign of overheating,. I used to mow for 5 to 6 hours straight with my old New Holland TC33DA. and that is at full 540 speed, with the tractor in the Medium range (had flatter ground then) just hour after hour in the summertime.. No overheating. As said keep radiator clean and you will have no problems. Sure the tranny will warm up, but not beyond its designed in limits. Remember most hydro tractors do not have the Transmission fan like the BX, they have a radiator, and it works well.

James K0UA

 

[Baby Grand]

Ok, I've read almost all of the replies to the OP's questions.
One question keep coming into my head.

Everybody agrees that if you're doing field work, plowing etc, that a geared transmission is best. But nobody has said WHY? Does and HST have problems with long straight heavy loads?

Wedge

I'll take a stab at this. By it's nature, the HST is less efficient than a straight gear drive. If you make your business growing things that require a lot of ground engaging work you can get more done with the same amount of fuel with the gear drive. For a business that is on the razor's edge of profit/loss it makes sense to select the gear drive for this particular type of use, as it results in a better profit margin on the harvest. The gear drive costs less on most models, so that factors into the cost per unit of production, as well.

The lost efficiency is converted to heat, which is why the HST needs a little more cooling capacity for a given load. This may be why all the hand wringing about overheating, but I can't believe it's justified. If the cooling system is designed with the HST in mind, and for the climate in which it will be used, then this shouldn't be an issue. If the cooling system is marginal, then there may be some basis for this concern.