Why not the B7500DT?

[wichiwichi]

Just wanted to voice an opinion here. I know I am in the minority here but why not the DT. There are several reasons I purchased the B7500DT over the 7500HST, BX2200, and B2410. I grew up on a farm and drove a variety of tractors from a "B" JD to a 9600 Ford. I had previously rented an HST to do some driveway and dirt work. #1 size...all these tractors met the size requirements I was looking for. #2 Features......position control is a great feature, not worth the $3500 difference of the 2410. #3 cost.....the only tractor within $500 WAS THE bx2200. #4 Equipment compatability......my understand was that the BX2200's 3 point would not allow hookup to all equipment. #5.....Hdro-VS-Gear in my opinion it looked like a maintenance issue in the future. If I had to I could work on the standard no way i'd tackle the hydro. Plus the cost difference between HST an DT in the 7500, more than enough for a good finish mower. Maybe this will give prospective buyers something else to think about. Below is a list of average prices from 3 local Kubota dealer. Just the base tractor.
BX2200 $9000 B7500HST $10500
B7500DT $8850 B2400HST $12500

 

[theboman]

I nearly go the DT, but the dealer asked what I'd do with the tractor 75% of the time. Mow. He said hydro was the best way to go. Time mowing is reduced and that's what I got the B7500 for to begin with. He said consider the price difference vs the time over the period of 1 year, 5 years and 10 years, and that made it clear as water. My time is worth more than the difference in a hydro.

 

[Kelvin]

Wichiwichi,

Just my 2 cents worth. A few points and counter points...

Maintenance: I would say that as far as maintanance goes, the hydrostat will provide less trouble than the gear drive, especially with the clutch and brakes. With the hydrostatic transmission, you rarely use the clutch or brakes. With Kubota, I have yet to hear of maintenance problems on hydrostatic transmissions (I have heard of some John Deere hydrostatic transmission problems). Also, you mentioned that you "rented" an HSD tractor. It has been my experience that most rental places only have tractors with hyrostat transmissions (there are a couple of exceptions); these tractors have a rough life and I doubt that they would have HSD tractors if maintenance were a problem. And last, I believe that most Bobcat machine and other skid-loaders use hydrostatic transmissions with great success.

Resale: This is probably the biggest issue. The B7500HSD will be a whole lot easier to sell than the B7500DT.

Live PTO: I don't know the specs on the B7500DT but would guess that it does not have a live clutch like the B7500HSD does (or at least the HSD has the "effect" of a live clutch...the ability to change speeds and directions without stopping and starting the rear-PTO [and mid-PTO?] driven equipment). Again, this saves wear and tear on the clutch.

Safety: I have some hilly acreage and really depend upon the 4wd's traction to provide stopping power on the hills; to have to clutch to change gears would temporarily limit me to the mechanical brakes on the rear wheels only which could be a problem at times. I really like being able to change directions without losing 4wd.

Note that I have a B7100 4wd gear drive with mid-mower (front continuous belt-driven PTO with electric ON/OFF switch) and a B2150 HSD. I am satisified with my B7100 when using the mid-mower or using non-PTO 3-point implements (rake, yard box, aerator, etc) but really don't like using it with my 42" rotary mower unless I am in open fields (where a larger tractor would make more sense).

I agree that the B7500DT is a good tractor, but less useful than the B7500HSD. For me, I would spend the extra money for the hydrostat.

Kelvin

 

[GlueGuy]

wichiwichi,

I second everything that Kelvin has said. I'll also add that it's your decision, and you're the one that has to live with it. If you're happy, then what the heck difference is it to me? I think for mowing, the DT and the HST are pretty evenly matched. The only thing is the live-clutch PTO issue.

I use my HST for mowing, but I only own a brush cutter. It's nice being able to stop (the tractor), and keep the mower spinning at full speed. Likewise, to spin down the mower, I stop the tractor (lift my foot), and slow the engine to idle, then dis-engage the clutch and put the PTO in neutral. This sequence would be a bit more involved with a clutch and gears.

 

[frank_f15]

WICHIWICHI: these are just my opinions and by no means an attempt to persuade u one way or the other.with hst, i can vary my ground speed with out affecting the pto , i can back up without affecting the pto. i can creep for ease of spreading dirt or making fine adjustments with the fel, all with out easing off throttle or riding the clutch. i don't think working on a transmission for repair should be a consideration, doubt if u will have to do so with either.for the tasks i ask of my tractor i would NOT consider anything but HST