Shuttle versus HST

[kspring61]

I am in the market for a new tractor. Currently have around 32 acres of fields to brush hog, want to plant some food plots, and I am putting in a ~1100 ft gravel driveway. After reading a lot of post I figured I needed to be in the 35-45hp range for a tractor and want one that comes with a FEL. With prices and considering the dealers, I have narrowed it down to the Kioti DK40 or DK45. They have 2 in stock, the DK40 is a shuttle shift and the DK45 is the HST, both have FELs that come with them.

Given mostly will be using this for what I posted in the first sentence, what are the advantages/disadvantages to each of these? Besides the obvious that the shuttle is more manual.

BTW...pricing given to me today was $22K for the DK40 and $25K for the DK45.

Thanks!

 

[arrow]

I am in the market for a new tractor. Currently have around 32 acres of fields to brush hog, want to plant some food plots, and I am putting in a ~1100 ft gravel driveway. After reading a lot of post I figured I needed to be in the 35-45hp range for a tractor and want one that comes with a FEL. With prices and considering the dealers, I have narrowed it down to the Kioti DK40 or DK45. They have 2 in stock, the DK40 is a shuttle shift and the DK45 is the HST, both have FELs that come with them.

Given mostly will be using this for what I posted in the first sentence, what are the advantages/disadvantages to each of these? Besides the obvious that the shuttle is more manual.

BTW...pricing given to me today was $22K for the DK40 and $25K for the DK45.

Thanks!

From everything that has ever been contributed on the subject at TBN, it seems to have more to do with the preferences of the owner rather than the capabilities of the tractor. If you never owned a tractor, you will adapt to anything you get. As far as answering your question, there is some power loss with HST. HST is easier to operate and multiple operators more easily adjust. There is a whine to HST on some tractors and as a result, can be disconcerting to the more sensitive. Ground engaging equipment is more efficiently run on geared tractors and if you want more power with a gear, you step on the gas. On an HST, it's the opposite and not as intuitive. Back and forth operations are much easier with HST.

It really depends on the make up of the operator. I abhorred HST but I prefer driving a stick shift car over an automatic. A geared tractor is a better fit for how I'm wired as I like to "engage" with a tractor. Others just want a machine to do the work as easily as possible and is where an HST shines for that type of person. So the question I would be asking myself is "Who am I"? Then go pick out a tractor and if you can, don't worry about pricing. It's more about what you'll be happier with in the long run.

 

[ZAR2USA]

After 22 years of manual gears, I switched to HST due to advice from members on this forum. I am so glad I did. I do all the same work in less than half the time with a quarter of the fatigue compared to previous gear tractor. I am so much more productive and almost 3 times faster with every single job compared to the previous tractor.

I have a Kubota L3200 (32hp) 4wd HST. I have 12 different attachments excluding trailers. I plan to ad a FEL, third function valves and a few more attachments next quarter.

I use a 6' bush hog mower, medium gear in 4WD, nonstop mowing 2-4' of grass for 10hrs a day, one tank of fuel, approx 5 gallons and always have some reserve left.

 

[TripleR]

There are a gazillion threads on this, here is just one and it essentially really boils down to what arrow says, we own the old crash box, synch shuttle, hydraulic shuttle and HST, we use them all, but based on your description, I prefer HST.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/120679-hst-vs-shuttle-shift.html

 

[kspring61]

Thanks TripleR
I did a search on Shuttle vs HST but this thread didn't come up. Thanks for the link

 

[paulfun9]

The type of work and amount of each type would also be a determining factor for me. Like Arrow I prefer shifting gears always have and probably always will but for the intended use of our current tractor it was best to go with HST Most of our use is loader work with everything else thrown in here and there. If it was mostly dedicated to running the open fields with a bush hog or a big finish mower I would have opted for a shuttle over the HST.

 

[boggen]

shuttle shift = lever up by steering wheel, that you flip like turning on blinkers / wind shield washers on a truck/car. and it immediately makes you go from forward to reverse. shuttle shifts are awesome if you do a lot of FEL (front end loader) work. due to a lot of work requires ya to go in scoop something and then reverse, turn around some, then forward again to get moving. and ya just kinda flip to the direction right at steering wheel.

your HST = a rocker pedal /s 1 or 2 pedals to go forward and/or reverse. those with bad ankles may not like rocker pedals, and constantly adjusting it, granted shuttle shift tractors may have exact same rocker pedals, but just with an additional lever by steering wheel.

make sure any rocker pedal for forward/reverse and how fast you go. is on opposite foot for the split breaks!! the split rear brakes can be extremely handy!

power reverse can be nice in a transmission (same speed forward/backwards

==============
gear = manual (beh)
hydrostatic transmission or like transmissions. are so much nicer in selecting MPH. and being able to adjust it on the fly.

 

[Wolfy]

Really, they both get the job done. For heavy mowing, the shuttle would be better.

 

[motownbrowne]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the shuttle shift we're talking about isn't a power-shuttle type transmission. Meaning for every shift and to reverse you need to clutch.

The HST is greatly superior for loader work. Every time I use my pallet forks I'm glad my Kubota is hydro.

Furthermore, the dk 45 is hydro and the 40 is gear, so both will have real similar PTO HP. Since they'll have the same power there and at the wheels, the HST would be my choice for mowing and 90% of all my applications. Being able to vary the ground speed infinitely without changing engine rpm is a huge feature. Drive them both, for me the choice was clear.

Good luck shopping!

 

[CurlyDave]

I agree with motownbrowne.

When I bought I kept debating this, and every time I use it am very glad that I got the HST. When I use the loader a lot the HST is so much easier to drive.

 

[namesray]

$3000 difference. I have given a lot of thought to this same choice, suttle or gear? Here is what my experience has taught me again and again.

I ran all geared tractors on my grandparents farm. Larger tractors then I own now, but worked great in the wide open hay fields. When I started my firewood and mowing business I got hst tractors. Boy what a difference. Can turn tractors within their own length on a logging road, so quick with that forward reverse pedal and dont have to clutch/brake all the time. Hs hst will save a lot of brake/clutch pedal pushing. As for loader work, there is so much control with the hst. The accuracy of the finished job is so much easier to achieve with hst. And bush hogging, if you come to a rough spot and want to slow down, just let off the hst pedal a bit, no loss of rpms as they always stay where you put them reguardless of speed or direction changes. A geared tractor, you would experience loss of rpms with speed or direction changes. You live in pa? I work on a lot of hills here in north central pa, and the hst is so much better for hills as the transmission is never in freewheel with speed or direction changes. The hst will actually hold the tractor back on hill decents. As for food plots, i think the speed control and accuracy of the hst will shine there as well.

To recap, I try to think that I could save money on a geared tractor (shuttle) over a hst but in reality I cant. As stated before, you can do jobs so much faster and efficiently with hst that you only save the money at purchase by buying gear shift. Then you waste it through all the time you spnd doing your projects. My opinion only.

A shuttle would be ok in wide open areas, no hills, not many obstacles to mow around and so forth.

Both will do the job, but I think buying the hst will be $3000 WELL SPENT. Enjoy shopping and sit on and try both out. Good luck.

 

[k0ua]

I am a well known (on this forum) HST lover, and the others have covered most of the bases. The shuttle on the DK40 will require clutching it is not like a glide shift on a Kubota. Your left knee will thank you after operating a HST all day vs. anything that requires constant clutching. On the Kioti DK45 you re looking at the split brakes are on the left which means they are actually useful to steer with in slippery conditions as your right foot can be on the forward pedal and you can touch up your steering line with the split brakes when the front tires don't have enough bite to steer with. As pointed out, if you ever do get pallet forks, you will really enjoy haveing HST to make those fine adjustments when you are working near expensive things. Think picking up a pallet out of your pickup truck.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Those two tractors will have similar power. The power loss of HST vs. gear will mean the DK45 HST will be about equal with the DK40 shuttle. So when you boil it all down, your decision is whether the convenience of the HST is worth $3,000 to you.

I know it would be to me. I'd get the HST for sure.

A couple of other things to keep in mind. If/when you go to sell the tractor, the HST will sell quicker and have a higher resale value so you'll probably get your money back. Secondly, the DK45 HST will have a cruise control, so you won't have to press on the HST pedal continuously for long hours of mowing or plowing.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd go HST for your uses.

Just understand it takes a considerable amount of HP to run. For me, the 45 model is near the bottom end of what's effective with HST. I ran a 32HP HST tractor for a couple hundred hours. Aggravated me at it's lack of power, especially when doing PTO chores. I'm a HP junkie so I'm probably a little short on patience.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I have used both and own gear drive, but not shuttle (wish it was) shift. All my trucks except one are auto, and the stick shift one is my favorite. I like kickin a clutch. But the HST tractor at work is real nice for loading logs on the sawmill, pallets in trucks, loader work of any type. (The cab/heat/A/C/radio doesn't hurt eather!) Feathering your movement Iin close to objects is far less stresdful with HST. But overall I still personally prefer gear drive.

HST will require more frequent fluid and filter changes.

 

[DK35vince]

If both machines are at the dealer try them both out and see how you like them.
I have the shuttle shift on my DK 35 and it works nice.
I have driven a friends DK 35 SE with Hst several times . The Hst is nice and easy to use, and if I ever get a newer tractor I will consider Hst.
But I certainly would not pay an extra several thousand $ to get it. Hst is nice, but its not that nice.
I can do everything nearly as fast with the shuttle from my experience using both.

 

[HEC]

I have the hyd. shuttle shift on the M5700 and HST on the B2650 . I have been around and owned tractors for a long time and the B2650 bought last summer was my first HST .I never thought I would be saying this but I really like the HST and very happy I got it . If it wasn't for the whine I would like it even more . Like others have mentioned you get jobs done faster and much easier . On an open station the noise probably wouldn't be an issue at all , in a cab it is for me .I wear ear protection and that takes care of the problem for me .
As for me now I wouldn't even consider shuttle if it wasn't at least hyd. shuttle . As you get older the knee will thank you for all the help you can give it .

 

[Fallon]

A HST is about 15% less efficient than gears. When you remove your foot from the go pedal, the drag from the HST will act like brakes. Really I use an emergency brake & turning brakes on my Kubota L3200 HST but vary rarely actual stopping brakes. I like that auto stop function, some don't.

A HST means you can push your tractor to the max easily under varying conditions. Hit thick brush when mowing? Ease up a bit if it starts lugging. Big drift when snow blowing? Ease off & keep the RPMs up. Hard ground when tilling, no problem.

The utility factor makes it a superior transmission for a utility tractor. The 15% performance penalty makes it not ideal for big ag tractors that spend weeks plowing or what not at the same speed.

I won't ever replace my HST with anything else. It was way worth the extra $1000.

From what I hear the HST is as reliable as an old manual gear & probably better than some of the power shifts.

 

[k0ua]

One other thing, it has been my observation, that as the tractors with HST get larger the HST "whine" seems to diminish. It seems to me the smaller HST tractors whine much more than the larger ones. The DK35se I own has very little whine. Almost non existent in LO range, a little more when under load in MED range and is noticeable when in HI (road transport) range.

 

[ovrszd]

The utility factor makes it a superior transmission for a utility tractor. The 15% performance penalty makes it not ideal for big ag tractors that spend weeks plowing or what not at the same speed.

I agree in CUT tractors but not the larger Utility class. I would consider his selections as CUT tractors.