Anything but a hydro...why?

[kiotiken]

Yeah, Kubota has them, but I wish they didn't.

I'll second that, the most annoying design feature by far.

 

[k0ua]

I have never driven a tractor with a Hst tranny so I can't speak to the pros and cons. I bought a lease return tractor that was big enough for my needs, at a cost I could afford and it had shuttle shift. Works fine. It is paid for. If there is a next tractor, I will have to make a choice. If Hst is anything like an automatic tranny, a bit of a bore, I will go running back to the shuttle shift.

But when my neighbor fires up his Kubota with Hst I always know because of the nasty whining noise that I can hear at 500 feet. I assume that ear protection is a good idea. Do they all whine like that?

It seems like the smaller and newer they are the worse the whine. I noticed the neighbor had a bx for a bit and it was noisey, and my L3400HST whined more before it broke in. but not as much as that BX and the whine now is barely noticeable at all over the purr of the diesel. And running a hydro is nothing like running an automatic tranny in a car or truck.. much better in my opinion.. If fact I have gotten in my truck and pushed down on the floor mat with my heel to go in reverse, and wondered why the stupid thing did not move

James K0UA

 

[Gittyup]

Daedong CUTs (Kioti/Bobcat/McCormick/Landini) do have a clutch pedal on the HST model. You can't start it unless it's pushed in and they have a lock to lock it open if it's being stored, other than that, it's not used. I could be completely wrong, but I think some Kubotas have them too.

You can only shift on the move with the Kubota HST+ (I believe JD has a version called eHydro). Daedong uses the older HST type transmission and you have to stop to change ranges.

what's hst plus

Ken, I don't own an HST Kioti, but I'm not sure you have this right. The DK series with electric over hydraulic PTO switches don't have clutch pedals because the switch is used to control PTO. And on the CK HSTs, I think the clutch still disengages the PTO (live PTO), but serves no purpose for the tranny.

 

[jinman]

It's call HST+ at Kubota, and yes, it is expensive. JD has a similar version, can't remember what they call it.

Sorry, didn't see nybirdman beat me to it.

Yes, Kubota and JD have a dual speed HST. New Holland was the first to have something similar. I have that on my New Holland, but when I need to change ranges of the geared portion, I still have to stop and move a lever. Now I could be wrong, but I believe to move into a higher/lower geared range, both Kubota and JD require a manual shift. The way the dual speeds on HSTs are done is by changing the angle of the swashplate in the motor side of the HST. Your foot pedal changes the swashplate on the hydraulic pump, but by changing the swashplate angle on the motor, there is a "dual-speed" effect.

 

[k0ua]

The clutch on my Kubota is needed to start the engine (safety switch) but it also disegages the hydro as well as the PTO.. It also allows you to soft start up the PTO by throttleing down and feathering the clutch as the load on the PTO ramps up. Also an easy safety "switch" when your rotary cutter finds a big ole rock. It is easier to stomp that clutch, which you have been trained to do for years driving gear tractors than hunt around on the dash for the dang electrical switch that disengages the PTO.. So I like my clutch.. but for 99 percent of the time.. it is as useless as those appendages on a boar hog:laughing:

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

Yes, Kubota and JD have a dual speed HST. New Holland was the first to have something similar. I have that on my New Holland, but when I need to change ranges of the geared portion, I still have to stop and move a lever. Now I could be wrong, but I believe to move into a higher/lower geared range, both Kubota and JD require a manual shift. The way the dual speeds on HSTs are done is by changing the angle of the swashplate in the motor side of the HST. Your foot pedal changes the swashplate on the hydraulic pump, but by changing the swashplate angle on the motor, there is a "dual-speed" effect.

Jim I believe the HST+ models still have a 3 range non synchromesh transmission, and work just like you described. In essence giving 6 forward ranges 3 hard shifted X the 2 soft.

James K0UA

 

[kiotiken]

Yes, Kubota and JD have a dual speed HST. New Holland was the first to have something similar. I have that on my New Holland, but when I need to change ranges of the geared portion, I still have to stop and move a lever. Now I could be wrong, but I believe to move into a higher/lower geared range, both Kubota and JD require a manual shift. The way the dual speeds on HSTs are done is by changing the angle of the swashplate in the motor side of the HST. Your foot pedal changes the swashplate on the hydraulic pump, but by changing the swashplate angle on the motor, there is a "dual-speed" effect.

Check out the link in my earlier post to see how the "new" HST (HST+/eHydro) works, it's a little different now. Most "old" HST (as you describe above) is now 3 range, although I think I preferred the 2 range of my JD 955.

 

[kiotiken]

Ken, I don't own an HST Kioti, but I'm not sure you have this right. The DK series with electric over hydraulic PTO switches don't have clutch pedals because the switch is used to control PTO. And on the CK HSTs, I think the clutch still disengages the PTO (live PTO), but serves no purpose for the tranny.

Yes, I stand corrected, the DK line doesn't have a clutch, I was purely speaking of the CK line. The clutch on the CK line cuts all hydraulic power, both the PTO and HST. Writing this, I'm now curious about my power steering, I think it still has hydraulic power with the clutch in, you just gave me a reason to fire it up, thanks.

 

[TripleR]

The clutch on my Kubota is needed to start the engine (safety switch) but it also disegages the hydro as well as the PTO.. It also allows you to soft start up the PTO by throttleing down and feathering the clutch as the load on the PTO ramps up. Also an easy safety "switch" when your rotary cutter finds a big ole rock. It is easier to stomp that clutch, which you have been trained to do for years driving gear tractors than hunt around on the dash for the dang electrical switch that disengages the PTO.. So I like my clutch.. but for 99 percent of the time.. it is as useless as those appendages on a boar hog:laughing:

James K0UA

Agreed, my GL, unlike the L has an independent PTO, so I can "feather" the PTO with the PTO lever, but of course the newer GL have replaced the lever with a switch. All the tractors I use have independent PTO and with the exception of the 5030 pushing the clutch pedal has no effect, so doing so on the Kubota is not instinctive, I just hit the lever and raise the 3PH lever if I hit something.

 

[IndyIan]

I like the HST, my newest HST "trick" is for hooking up the hay spear on the the FEL. I can inch the tractor forward or back and run the loader standing on the right side of the tractor, even with the parking brake on. Probably not recommended by the safety police but that dang spear is a bit narrow and light so I can end up pushing it around for a while unless I get off and manually get it close and then hook up. I just watch that I don't slip and grab a hst pedal on the way down.

 

[RobertN]

Try them all before buying!

I have used or driven a variety of tractors, but my two tractors over the last 14 years have been hydro. It has worked great for taking care of the my property, and my parents. I also do some work on friends property(seasonal mowing; ranging from a couple acres to 46 acres(we don't mow that whole property).

I have rented Kubota L35TLB's; I liked the GST tranny on those. I was working in some tight space; it worked well.

I've used a friends shuttle shift Massey while helping them on their property. Took a few minutes to get used to, but from there on out the clutching was no big deal.

Spent time on my Dad's old Ford 9N; only thing about it, was the ground speed was too fast with the 3spd. Otherwise the manual was not that bad.

The best though, was when I rented ASV and CAT compact track loaders; they were electric over hydraulic. Drove by joystick; one for the loader, one to drive. That, was cool!

 

[AKfish]

x2 here with RobertN. Give 'em a tryout! Then decide if the tractor is likely to fit your needs.

I've got a 9N, JD110 TLB and a JD5075M. Clutch, eHydro and clutch/hydro (Powereverser).

They all have their different strengths and weaknesses.

But... if I had to get rid of all my tractors - save, one. I'd keep the eHydro tractor! :thumbsup:

AKfish

 

[WM75Guy]

Best of both worlds - CVT with shuttle shift. :thumbsup:

 

[Dr_Zinj]

None of my HST tractors have clutch pedals. Are some of us missing out? My New Holland has two non-synchronized mechanical ranges. Are you able to shift between ranges on the move by engaging the clutch pedal?

The 2010 Bobcat CT230 has a clutch pedal for shifting between Hi, Mid, and Lo ranges, as well as locking/unlocking your Ft Whl drive. Tractor is supposed to be stopped before shifting.

On the level or downhill, I can "plow" in Hi range 6 to 10 inches of snow. More than that, or doing the uphill passes, I have to drop it into Mid range. The only times I've used low range is grading the drive and taking a big chunk with the blade; although I anticipate using it to push some of my crops (large granite boulders) into line for the rock walls.

 

[DK35vince]

do not EVER use a hydro tractor, especially for loader work or tight mowing or anything that requires a lot of directional changes, because all it will do is cause hate and discontent. Don't ask me how I know

James K0UA

Thats your opinion.
I have a DK 35 with shuttle shift. A friend of mine has a DK 35 with hydro.
I've used his hydro tractor several times. The hydro is nice, and easy to use, but it certainly didn't make me feel I need to run out and buy one.
My shuttle works just fine for loader work and mowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thats your opinion.
I have a DK 35 with shuttle shift. A friend of mine has a DK 35 with hydro.
I've used his hydro tractor several times. The hydro is nice, and easy to use, but it certainly didn't make me feel I need to run out and buy one.
My shuttle works just fine for loader work and mowing.

Vince,
Have you spent any time using an Ehydro?

 

[DK35vince]

No
I've never tryed an Ehydro or a HST+.

 

[Reg]

I don't (yet) feel any physical need for a hydro.
Most of the body is holding up well enough, but I've never had the sort of job that put repetitive stress on back, neck, hips or anywhere else.

It was about $1100 $1200 bux additional the last time I looked and I always have plenty of good spending opportunities for 4 figures of cash.
An implement, or two little attachments, maybe the next size up, perhaps 5 or 7 more HP ?

or a couple of new wind surf sails - I have interests other than tractors (-:


So to me it is more; "Why would I ?" (buy hydro)
Gears work well enough, I don't get 60 hours seat time a week, I do SOME pallet fork and loader work, but it isn't a if I stack pallets or sand 10 hours a day.

 

[PAfarmer]

If your going to perform any real tractor tasks, plowing fields, discing , planting corps etc....Hydrostatic drive just don't cut it. Hydrostatic drive is a toy gentlemans tractor for those that want a tractor for around the yaad tasks, a gear box is for real work IMHO........I have owned both and thats the bottom line for me.

 

[k0ua]

If your going to perform any real tractor tasks, plowing fields, discing , planting corps etc....Hydrostatic drive just don't cut it. Hydrostatic drive is a toy gentlemans tractor for those that want a tractor for around the yaad tasks, a gear box is for real work IMHO........I have owned both and thats the bottom line for me.

So I am guessing that is why all them bulldozers, earthmovers, and excavators that use some form of hydrostatic drive are all piloted by them thar gentleman toy driving suburbanite tuxedo wearing types then huh?:laughing::laughing:

James K0UA