How would you compare two HST transmissions?

[drab m]

The only reason that is needed is because the engine isn't torquey (is that a word?) enough to push into the pile in high range. One way to skin that cat would be to give it a low gear to compensate, and if you go that route, then indeed being able to shift ranges in the fly is a plus. My analogy to the Mack was to point out another approach. Instead of needing a 3 speed transaxle like the freighliner, Mack built an engine that had such torque rise that it kept pulling down at 800 rpm. If your tractor could push in the pile in high, you wouldn't care if it was easy to shift into low.

There are surely downsides to that approach, but from an operator's standpoint having to shift bless often is better in my opinion.

 

[4570Man]

Yes the tractors are unable to push into a pile of dirt in high and sometimes medium. I can also drive on the road in HH and shift into HL to pull a hill.

 

[TSO]

I can drive into a pile in medium, just the same as my buddies L5240 ... I only have 3 ranges, he has 6. Our torque numbers are nearly identical (mine has a bigger engine but he has a turbo). Maybe my 3 range HST is stronger than Kubota 6 spd (LOL jk)

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

My Kioti just has a regular old garden variety 3-range HST. I would pay more for HST+, but I wouldn't exclude all other brands from consideration because of it.

It would certainly be a factor in the decision, but there are other things that I consider to be important on a tractor than the HST+ transmission.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have the 3 range ehydro in my 4520 which works well but would prefer the high/low option the HST+ has. That is a feature the Kubota has that is an improvement over Deere and other brands imo.

Pulling a box blade in L then being able to back up in H would a time saver for me. When you consider that the range gears on a hydro set up are not synchronized, then shifting all day long can be irritating.

I have not read any complaints from owners of the HST+ transmissions either. To Kubota's credit it is a good design and works very well.

 

[Fallon]

In all fairness, HST+ isn't the only reason I'm mostly only looking at Kubota to replace my Kubota L3200 with a premium cabbed machine.

I'll probably be looking at Kioti again as the Kubota's I'm now looking at match up size wise with their smallest premium cabbed machines. Kubota quality & HST+ will be hard to beat though.

It's annoying to have to shift between L & M when digging stuff out of a pile, then transporting it a ways. My L3200 doesn't have the torque to pull it off in M regularly, especially if the pile has settled a bit. The L3800 which is the same machine with 6 more HP might, but I duno. If we had unlimited torque, we'd need no gears at all.

 

[94BULLITT]

I can drive into a pile in medium, just the same as my buddies L5240 ... I only have 3 ranges, he has 6. Our torque numbers are nearly identical (mine has a bigger engine but he has a turbo). Maybe my 3 range HST is stronger than Kubota 6 spd (LOL jk)

Hook 'em draw bar to draw bar and see what will pull more.

 

[bigdeano]

Well, that's interesting. The HSTs can't spin the wheels in M range. I don't feel so bad about having an old gear tractor now. :laughing:

 

[TSO]

That would be interesting... I think we will

 

[k0ua]

Well, that's interesting. The HSTs can't spin the wheels in M range. I don't feel so bad about having an old gear tractor now. :laughing:

Mine will. Sure won't spin them in Hi though.

 

[murphy1244]

Mine will. Sure won't spin them in Hi though.

Why would you want too?

 

[94BULLITT]

That would be interesting... I think we will

You will drag him if he is in Medium high but idk about medium low.

How fast will your tractor run in low and medium range?

 

[TSO]

Hmm... I think in low right around 4 mph, in med around 8... Hi around 16

 

[94BULLITT]

If you were comparing two tractors, all other specs/features being mostly equal how would you compare the transmissions or otherwise pick a winner?

I would see how they were geared,check how well the hydro stopped each one, and I would stomp down on the hydro pedal to and do some quick forward to reverse to see how responsive it was.

 

[94BULLITT]

Hmm... I think in low right around 4 mph, in med around 8... Hi around 16

That sounds right. Usually medium is half of high and low is half of medium.

Low for me is 5. something. Medium is 10, and high is 21.

 

[4570Man]

Well, that's interesting. The HSTs can't spin the wheels in M range. I don't feel so bad about having an old gear tractor now. :laughing:

With a light amount of ballast I can. With the loader, loaded tires, and backhoe attached I can't. With the loader and loaded tires I can.

 

[TSO]

Tire size plays a role also... My previous 1648 (lower HP) had 14.9x24 rear R4's but my 1652 has 17.5Lx24 rear R4's... The 17.5Lx24 are wider, but the 14.9x24 are a tad taller. Consequently, the 1648 traveled slightly faster than the 1652 does.

My buddies L5240 has identical tires to mine, so that would help the test stay fairly equal.

 

[4570Man]

Why would you want too?

If you can't spin the wheels then, you can't pull to its full potential. Maximum pulling power is reached right before the wheels slip. If you can't spin then you never reached that point.

 

[94BULLITT]

Tire size plays a role also... My previous 1648 (lower HP) had 14.9x24 rear R4's but my 1652 has 17.5Lx24 rear R4's... The 17.5Lx24 are wider, but the 14.9x24 are a tad taller. Consequently, the 1648 traveled slightly faster than the 1652 does.

My buddies L5240 has identical tires to mine, so that would help the test stay fairly equal.

The tread design is important too. I see some of these CUTs with horrible looking R4's. I my 4240 had more agressive R4's on the rear.

 

[4570Man]

The tread design is important too. I see some of these CUTs with horrible looking R4's. I my 4240 had more agressive R4's on the rear.

Here's mine. I have seen some that looked more like turf tires. They are nearly as aggressive as ags, but they are much wider. I like the width, it doesn't cause ruts as bad as a narrower tire.