what are the advantages of glide shift?

[equipman]

rywen
Yes, the GST does have a clutch that you use when starting or changing from 2WD to 4WD or vicea versa. Kubota
shortened the shifting interval in forward speeds by adding 4 gears (12 X 8 transmission). Forward/reverse is accomplished by the lever on the left side of the steering column. Shifting gears or direction is clutchless as is the PTO on all the 30 series tractors (hydraulic independent PTO). Hope this helps.
Lewis

 

[Dozernut]

I have had the Glide Shift in a L3600 and currently have the hydrostat in a L4610. The Glide Shift is a good transmission and does transmit more power to the wheels. If you need brute power and are doing a lot of straight pulling (plowing, blading, towing heavy wagons or implements) where there is not a lot of need for speed changes, then this is the transmission that you want. For loader work, mowing, tilling and other chores where there is a lot of speed variance and backing up, then the hydro is what you want. There is not a lot of difference in the cost of maintaining the two transmissions, the hydro is a little more expensive due to the higher fluid capacity.
I found that doing loader work with the Glide Shift, that I wore out the springs and detent in the colum mount shuttle shift lever. This would not have happened with the hydro, plus I was able to speed up my loader work with hydro over the Glide Shift.
At least this is my experience, hope this helps.

 

[BigBob]

I have a glide shift. I am very happy with it. Usually I find the gear I want and stick with it. Haven't had any trouble on hills. The ONLY advantage I have over a Hydro is when I make a tight turn I can use the left or right brake. I am not co-ordinated enough to accomplish this with the hydro.

 

[_RaT_]

Your right Bob, the HST is more difficult to use differential braking unless you have the cruise control applied and then its very easy. If differential braking is important for your needs, Kubotas HST would probably not be the best choice. Since it is not even a consideration for me, it was not a issue.

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

I like the GST in my L3650. Like Rat, I run mine in 4th most of the time and do loader work in 2nd or third.

Steve

 

[FarmNut]

Rat,

Excellent post. Your list of benefits of each transmission system pretty much summed up my decision making process. I just couldn't see enough additional benefit of the GST transmission to justify the additional costs. I would have liked the HST, but felt constrained with my budget and with my primary useage of brush cutting and decided to spend the extra dollars on more HP and torque instead of getting a smaller tractor (already have one of those) with the HST. For my money, I would choose the FST over the GST any day. I just don't see enough benefit from the GST to justify the $1,000 +- additional cost over the FST. If someone is going to spend that, why not spend the additional $500 and get the HST.

FarmNut

 

[rywen]

thanks alot for all the great information. the GST sounds like too much of a gimmick for me... i'd prefer just a regular FST or HST and i like the advantages of the HST so thats probably what i'm gonna do.

 

[TractorLuvr]

I use 2 Kubota L35's on my jobsite everyday and had them since 1998. Not once has there been a problem. I must prefer the GST over other types for the ease of use. I like how there is no clutching involved yet have so much control over this machine. I do alot of boxblading and GST is perfect for that. You throw it in a low gear and if you need more juice move it to a higher or vice versa for lower speed. You should reconsider GST. You will enjoy it.

 

[Wall]

I think one advantage to GST is that you can coast along. I mean build up some speed lower the throttle. HST will always be hooked up either slowing you down or speeding you up.

 

[F350Lawman]

"I rented a L-35 (TLB) once and I'm on hills. I learned the hard way that when you change gears while on a hill, the machine (that one anyway) freewheeled as the transmission made the change from X gear to Y gear.

Though the gear change wasn't "slow", it took long enough to scare the bloopers outta me the first time it happened and I was freewheeling backwards down the hill."

Yes, DON'T shift on hills with a load! I was just getting real comfortable ( read cocky )I made the same mistake with a friends tractor and heavy cart. The shifter was a little sloppy and I missed the gear and got it 1/2 way between gears and it free wheeled...fast.

NOT FUN!