HST vs. Gear Drive

[grm61]

however at my age (almost 70), if I ever bought another tractor it will be a cabbed with HST.

Yes Sir, I do believe it is your turn.

 

[TomSeller]

There is nothing wrong with a geared tractor, it is preferred in some cases.

 

[Notforhire]

There is nothing wrong with a geared tractor, it is preferred in some cases.

I don't think there is anything wrong with gear tractors generally , and I do prefer a gear tractor.

However;
The OP (Andy Z) had a specific question about a specific tractor (a B2320), for a specific use, (snow blowing/ grading ). Because a B2320 has a clutch driven PTO, I don't think it would work as well as the HST model for blowing snow. That was why I answered the way I did.

Buckgnarly pointed out that his gear machine worked well snow blowing, but he essentially has a live PTO.

The OP could choose a gear tractor with features like Buckgnarly's and blow snow with no problem.

I used to own a Ford 1920 w/ 12spd shuttle. It would also work well for Andy Z's use.

All gear tractors are not created equal.

Best, Bill

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't think there is anything wrong with gear tractors generally , and I do prefer a gear tractor.

However;
The OP (Andy Z) had a specific question about a specific tractor (a B2320), for a specific use, (snow blowing/ grading ). Because a B2320 has a clutch driven PTO, I don't think it would work as well as the HST model for blowing snow. That was why I answered the way I did.

Buckgnarly pointed out that his gear machine worked well snow blowing, but he essentially has a live PTO.

The OP could choose a gear tractor with features like Buckgnarly's and blow snow with no problem.

I used to own a Ford 1920 w/ 12spd shuttle. It would also work well for Andy Z's use.

All gear tractors are not created equal.

Best, Bill

Another reason I only follow/read/respond to the KUBOTA OWNERS FORUM. I've owned/own 17 Kubotas and only Kubotas. I'd feel a bit stupid answering specific questions about another brand tractor which I've never owned and operated, not just seen one or researched one or drove one on a dealers lot. Just me but there are many that follow their own path.
I don't pay attention to posts where the profile isn't filled out with at least equipment owned. A new buyer or almost buyer I'll respond to but the owned for awhile and don't fill out the profile is someone I won't respond to except maybe for the other members posting in the thread. I believe in knowing something about the responder so I can know where they're coming from. Just my :2cents:

 

[Notforhire]

Another reason I only follow/read/respond to the KUBOTA OWNERS FORUM. I've owned/own 17 Kubotas and only Kubotas. I'd feel a bit stupid answering specific questions about another brand tractor which I've never owned and operated, not just seen one or researched one or drove one on a dealers lot. Just me but there are many that follow their own path.
I don't pay attention to posts where the profile isn't filled out with at least equipment owned. A new buyer or almost buyer I'll respond to but the owned for awhile and don't fill out the profile is someone I won't respond to except maybe for the other members posting in the thread. I believe in knowing something about the responder so I can know where they're coming from. Just my :2cents:

You need to branch out a little John.
You have enough of those orange machines. Go out and get 17 green ones, and 17 blue ones.:thumbsup:
Think of all the fun you will have. Their not all that different, it's just the paint.

Best, Bill

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You need to branch out a little John.
You have enough of those orange machines. Go out and get 17 green ones, and 17 blue ones.:thumbsup:
Think of all the fun you will have. Their not all that different, it's just the paint.

Best, Bill

I don't have time to follow the other forums, I spend so much of it here.
I doubt there is much difference, some, but probably not much, between brands. If local dealers hadn't been so far apart in pricing 11 years ago I could as likely be a green/yellow or blue supporter. The green/yellow was $3000 more and the blue was $2500 more than Barlows Orange Kubota of comparable size. I checked back after my first purchase one time and they were still so far apart that I haven't been back to the other colors. Barlow does me fair and I like his crew, seem like nice guys and really convenient location between my home and business. I've since found out Barlow is the go to guy for price all around the country but didn't know that for years. I did price shop Kubota dealers and he also beat them pretty bad. The combination of MSRP other color dealers in my location and Barlow being the lowest priced really set them apart price wise soooooo I'm a Kubota only guy.:laughing:

 

[TomSeller]

I don't have time to follow the other forums, I spend so much of it here. I'm a Kubota only guy.:laughing:

Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

[Notforhire]

If local dealers hadn't been so far apart in pricing 11 years ago I could as likely be a green/yellow or blue supporter. The green/yellow was $3000 more and the blue was $2500 more than Barlows Orange Kubota of comparable size.

I think you summed it up for many of us.
I have owned nine different machines, and six different brands, over the last 40 yrs. (Most were used machines) The attitude of the dealer and his willingness to deal, has had more to do with the brand of tractor I bought than the brand itself. The idea that they were doing me a favor by letting me buy their tractor, killed several sales.
It's not always about the price, but it's always about the value. This is especially true when it comes to rebranded models, as pointed out by GManBart in a couple of his posts.

You have found a dealer who you feel treats you fairly, and you like his product. That's worth a lot.

Sorry for the rant.

Best, Bill

 

[TexasBoy]

Another reason I only follow/read/respond to the KUBOTA OWNERS FORUM. I've owned/own 17 Kubotas and only Kubotas. I'd feel a bit stupid answering specific questions about another brand tractor which I've never owned and operated, not just seen one or researched one or drove one on a dealers lot. Just me but there are many that follow their own path.
I don't pay attention to posts where the profile isn't filled out with at least equipment owned. A new buyer or almost buyer I'll respond to but the owned for awhile and don't fill out the profile is someone I won't respond to except maybe for the other members posting in the thread. I believe in knowing something about the responder so I can know where they're coming from. Just my :2cents:

Sir, I for one appreciate your approach to this forum and I do exactly the same. I wouldnt dream of going of the John Deere forum (or any other color) and tell persons who own green tractors what they should & shouldnt do or to slam any Deere product. I certainly wouldnt be trying to sway them into buying another color because I have some angst or bias. My best friend recently bought a new Deere 5065, and it never occurred to me to convince him to buy Kubota.

 

[Notforhire]

Sir, I for one appreciate your approach to this forum and I do exactly the same. I wouldnt dream of going of the John Deere forum (or any other color) and tell persons who own green tractors what they should & shouldnt do or to slam any Deere product. I certainly wouldnt be trying to sway them into buying another color because I have some angst or bias. My best friend recently bought a new Deere 5065, and it never occurred to me to convince him to buy Kubota.

I hope you are not suggesting that you and John feel that members that haven't owned the specific tractor being discussed shouldn't post their opinions.

There are many common features used in all tractors that operate the same way. For example a clutch driven, or live PTO is just that, no matter the color.

If you don't feel comfortable contributing to another section of this forum that is up to you, but please don't suggest that others are unqualified to do so.

If I misunderstood you, then please accept my apology.

Bill

 

[murphy1244]

I click on Today's post not just on any Forum. Want to learn about all machines not just the ones I own but others that I might own in the future.

 

[k0ua]

I click on Today's post not just on any Forum. Want to learn about all machines not just the ones I own but others that I might own in the future.

I do the exactly the same thing.

 

[Bluegill2]

Seems the Kubota forums are very popular...

 

[Notforhire]

Seems the Kubota forums are very popular...

If you were bright orange people would notice you more than others too! :laughing: :laughing:

 

[TexasBoy]

I hope you are not suggesting that you and John feel that members that haven't owned the specific tractor being discussed shouldn't post their opinions.

There are many common features used in all tractors that operate the same way. For example a clutch driven, or live PTO is just that, no matter the color.

If you don't feel comfortable contributing to another section of this forum that is up to you, but please don't suggest that others are unqualified to do so.

If I misunderstood you, then please accept my apology.

Bill

Sir I meant nothing towards you at all, if you got that impression sorry about that. I guess it works better if I keep my 2 cents to myself.

 

[ericher69]

Thanks for the advice, boys. Looks like B2320 HST is in my horizons.

You may want to look at the b2620 for the following reasons

1) xtra PTO hp 19 vs 17 b2620 vs b2320
2) larger tires on b2620
3) la364 vs la304 loader b2620 vs b2320

The b2620 is considered the best value in this series IMHO

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[N80]

I've had my L4400 gear drive for about five years. No regrets. Plowing, disking, mowing, digging, road maintenance, land clearing, clean up after timber removal. No regrets. In fact, if I were buying a tractor right now to use on my 250 acres it would be a gear drive. And while I have no way to support this notion I believe I would have destroyed an HST with the things I done with my tractor....kind of surprised I haven't destroyed this one.

And I know I've said it somewhere deep in this thread, but probably my main reason for wanting and buying a basic gear driven tractor is future repairs. I am moderately convinced that in my nearby in-law's well appointed shop, I could split the tractor and repair the transmission....or at least get at the parts that I could take to someone else to repair. I am thoroughly convinced that I could do nothing to repair a significantly broken HST.

Edit: I have not looked at new tractors in years. Can you still buy a basic gear drive.

Edit 2: Sadly, after a resurgence and a good run over the last 10 or so years, basic manual transmissions are now in decline in cars again. While true double clutch paddle shift gearboxes are true wonders (and really just manuals without clutch pedals) what is showing up in most "sporty" cars these days is automatic transmissions with flappy paddles that "suggest" which gear you want it to be in that pretend to be double clutch systems. Fortunately most hard core sports cars can still be had with manual transmissions. That's all I'll drive until I get enough money for one of these real double clutch dealies.

 

[JoeL4330]

Serious snow blowing? spend the money on HST rather than replacement clutches (unless you can get a creeper gear option)

 

[Bluegill2]

Edit: I have not looked at new tractors in years. Can you still buy a basic gear drive.

Yes, I was looking at new Kubotas yesterday and they had most models with gear drive. My next one will also be gear... Bout fell in love with a M5040...

 

[kevinwang]

Greetings from China brand tractor parts supplier. Hope you are fine. and your tractor