l4600 hst vs gear

[Buckgnarly]

It's all preference IMHO......Gear is just fine for all my loader work and snowblowing, which makes up most of my tractor use. I choose gear and stand by gear with the minority simply because I like gear. If you like gear, get gear...it does just fine. Two stage clutch and lots of forward and reverse gears is a must though, especially for snow blowing!

I also bought this tractor knowing it was the only tractor I will ever buy and I would rather do a clutch job IF it ever wears out. No way Fixing hydro is cheaper:2cents:

 

[vulcancowboy]

I just purchased my first CUT with HST (L3400) after years of using gear drive tractors. Some observations: as others have said, the HST is great for FEL work, I was concerned that it would not be as good as a gear drive for mowing fields where there was little need for maneuvering and forward/reverse changes. This has proved to be a non-issue, so far, I have not even used the cruise control. My only "complaint" is that the HST is noisier than my gear drive tractors have been. I have heard that using newer, synthetic hydro fluid may help this.

Overall, no regrets.

 

[TripleR]

For all of you HST users, when doing loader work do you always have to keep your rpms up, even if just travelling?

No, I have HST+ with auto-throttle which is being offered on more makes and models every year.

 

[Citydude]

Your Maserati vs Toyota is great for a business example. If the job required speed as a primary factor then a smart business man would buy the Maserati. Well, not a Maserati but a more reliable fast car.:laughing: Over the years I've bought some things to save money and ended up regretting it because often times the additional cost has been a time saver, which to me has always been worth something as well as more maintenance free, more durable for longer life and sometimes safer for me to have a longer life. I have to fight myself to pay the extra dollars on most purchases but in the long run quality counts and convenience is becoming more valuable to me.

I agree and you make perfect sense however initial startup monies dictated my decision. After the mowing season, I will asses the time verses money and convenience items you talked about. Even though I'm retired and don't have to make a living with my adventure, time is money and trading up to a Maserati might be called for. :thumbsup:

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I have a Kubota mx 5100 gear driven with a shuttle shift. This is a real tractor like you are used to. I absolutely love this tractor. No big deal on the loader work, and the tractor works like a rented mule. I hate an hst. I just don't get the hype.

 

[k0ua]

I have a Kubota mx 5100 gear driven with a shuttle shift. This is a real tractor like you are used to. I absolutely love this tractor. No big deal on the loader work, and the tractor works like a rented mule. I hate an hst. I just don't get the hype.

It is not hype. It is fact. Hydro has some major advantages for many types of work. Notice I did not say all.

 

[Fallon]

Often when traveling I will start off at lower RPMs & just mash the go pedal all the way while in mid range. Bump the throttle lever until i'm at the right speed. Makes for decent ghetto almost cruise control when not doing PTO work.

Quite often you can just leave the RPMs under 2k pretty easy. Even at low RPMs you can get full torque with just a smidge of go pedal, thanks to the infinitely variable transmission aspect of a HST. You just don't go that fast & will stall it if you give it too much go pedal.

 

[ENC]

Ultimately it is up to you, but for my uses in the woods and yard. Loader work (all kinds) some hay feeding not making and brush hogging. I would not be happy with a geared tractor. I love my HST. If I were in a more agricultural setting growing crops or making hay I would probably prefer a geared tractor. But I would want it bigger than my L4600 also.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
I also bought this tractor knowing it was the only tractor I will ever buy and I would rather do a clutch job IF it ever wears out. No way Fixing hydro is cheaper:2cents:

Does anyone have some numbers of what it would cost to "fix" an HST? The only number I saw for "fixing" my M4700 was about $800 or $900 if I need a clutch replaced by a dealer. Looking at "splitting tractors" here and elsewhere it seems that with the proper cranes and jacks (which I have) it's a doable DIY project. Bigger than my 78 Olds Cutlass was, but still doable.

 

[Ted Summey]

I've used both and prefer the geared tractor over HST. This is mainly because we use our tractors for farm operations including hay making, row crops, barn cleaning, feeding, manure spreading, and general chores etc.

Based on my mechanical skills and abilities, HST is not user repairable whereas a geared transmission and clutch are at least for me. Your mileage may vary.