which Kubota

[stvman]

JimBinMI; I recently put a grand L 3010 up against a TC35D at a Kubota/NH dealer and for what its worth ,on the L there is a servo which makes it buttery smooth, the NH on the other hand about gave me whiplash. As far as everything else though and I am 6'3" and I found the NH superior in operator deck room, ergonomics, visibility (looks)/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif I would advise anyone who has not at least sat on the larger boomers to at least try it, with a 16la loader it is a nice package...

 

[JimBinMI]

stvman,

I think you've mistaken the awesome POWER of the NH for rougher HST performance! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Seriously, I visited a NH/Kubota dealer and did not have the same experience in smaller tractors, B7300, B1700 and the TC18. I was told by this dealer that if I bought the NH I would be complaining about foot/angle pain from holding down the HST, I have operated my TC for hours at a time and never had this problem. I also found out that NH dealers that also handle competitive brands play second fiddle to NH dealers that are exclusive to NH, that is they don't get NH tractor shipments as well. This makes sense to me.

As far as the whiplash goes, if this is a true difference in that size, I would think that you would get used to it so as not to give yourself whiplash just as you get used to the acceleration or steering after a new vehicle purchase.

Reading your profile, I found it interesting that you are looking to downsize tractors...I've always read here that nobody ever downsizes! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Hope you find the right tractor for you, I have certainly been impressed with my New Holland.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

JimBin

Your comment on the foot pedal problem (or lack of) got me thinking. Do any of the HST's that Kubota makes have a simple hand pedal control? Or must you always be on the pedal. I saw one tractor, can't remember which Kubota that had some sort of device but it certainly wasn't easy to use on and off a bunch of times.

This is sorely lacking on the BX, if I was going to do a lot of mowing with it I'd rather have what my JD garden tractor has, which is a simple sliding lever on the fender next to my thigh you just pull or push up and down it just moves the pedal up and down, but has an automatic mechanical off feature tied to the brake pedal. The L35 being a geared tractor has the throttle lever, but the BX has nothing, what do the bigger K's have, or the Blues and Greens, that would also be a factor for me if I was thinking of doing any crop work.

 

[Bird]

del, most of the Kubotas with HST have a "speed set device" in addition to the pedal. The 1995 B7100 was a cam device, which when pushed down, held the pedal in position, and the lever had to be pulled back up to release it. I don't know the right terminology, but the B2710 has a notched device that holds the pedal in position, and stepping on either the hydro pedal or the brake releases it.

Bird

 

[W5FL]

Del, The M Series have a hand throttle as well as the foot throttle. The hand throttle sets the minimum speed for the foot throttle. This is the first tractor I have driven that even had a foot throttle and they all hand hand throttles. Usually set the hand throttle and touch it again when you get off the tractor. Haven't found much use for the foot throttle except for backing out of the barn.

 

[JimBinMI]

del,

My TC18 has on the dash electronic cruise control, so far I use it infrequently but it works great!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[_RaT_]

Jim, to answer your question "where does this come from" I have a very simple answer to that, USE, personal use. My experience only refers to the Grande L, I know nothing about B tractors from Kubota other then what I read here. Since I am interested only in the largest HST tractors, it restricts me to the JD 4600, TC45 or Kubota L4610. There is a test you can use to test a HST that helps understand the differences.

1. With the tractor at the lowest possible RPM, place the tractor in the highest possible transmission speed. Now depress the hydrostatic pedal as quickly and forcefully as you can to the floor. Observation, Kubota's HST will not jerk, jump, buck or stall but safely, very smoothly rolls forward or reverse at operators control.

2. With the tractor at the highest RPM, place the tractor in the highest transmission speed. Now feather the HST pedal, easily and lightly, just a fraction of an inch, just a little toe pressure. Observation, the Kubota Grande L's will without fighting you with back pressure, load noise levels and whinning safely begin to roll forward or reverse while in full control. Other colors have no where near the absolute 100%, inch by inch control the Kubota offers.

The load test pretty much requires a loader and big piles of dirt that will stop the tractor. It is simple and simply requies that you plow into the dirt. The Kubota swasher plate hydro servo HST still requires a consistent foot pressure to maintain forward momentum or pressure, about 7lbs, pedal pressure on the others goes up, way up.
This is not an indictment of the NH or JD products at all, they have merits of their own, others who own them can tell us about them. Your experience with the TC18 affords you the ability to lend opinnions well in the sub compact tractor arena, at least 60 hrs worth plus all the details you poured over before you purchased it. I should have mentioned to Sam that he try the TC45 as it has perhaps a better fit for him because of his larger size. The open area of the TC45 is nice and the swivel seat absolutely great. Its a nice machine and deserves its own accolades, but I thought I would leave it up to Hawgee or James who have more familiarty with it. Rat...

 

[_RaT_]

Sorry Jim, if you are refering to me as far as this statement goes, I never saw it. I definitely do not read everything on this forum, I do not get on it everyday. Before you imply that one has not responded to a JimBin post simply because they have no merit in a statement they posted, give us some time. I must admit that I don't follow to many of your posts since they deal with a tractor size (not brand) that I am simply not interested in. I know from reading your posts, that your experience is rather limited with the the larger compacts. Until you've moved thousands of yards of material, day after day, running the tractor into the virtual ground, you will not have some of the experience one might want to make a substantiated comment regarding tractor use in this area. Your comments and patriotism toward your TC18 is fine. I have seen others get upset from some of them (remember Saly?). It is easy for me to tell a biased tractor opininon and one based on experience. Mark Chalkley has some of the best, I respect most all his opinions except the ones about Amsoil, (just kidding.) If I have a question about a small mower/tractor like the TC18, I will certainly pay attention to your opininons as your experience with it grows everytime you use it. I will of course have to go elsewhere for a report on the B series, Rat...

 

[_RaT_]

Wen, I whole heartedly agree with the clutch being used every hour or 2 comment. This is why the M continues to be such a nice tractor even without HST. Its use in the fields for the purpose you describe is where it is so well suited. I use a old M style tractor with a 5 cylinder diesel that is one of my favorite tractors of all time. Rat...

 

[_RaT_]

stvman, you have proved my point about the servo HST on the Kubota. Some people will refuse to believe it, but it will be there loss not to at least consider it.
I also like the floor area of the TC, although I was on a TC45D. The clear view of the loader is also nice. The swivel seat is great, the color pleasant, loader specifications great, all in all the TC45D is a great tractor, its just my second choice. The 2 things that I have found superior on the Grande L4610 over the New Holland TC45D are: 1.HST and 2.the ultra quiet, super clean running, high torque little diesel they put in it, Thanks, Rat...