As of now, I’m leaning VERY heavily towards the YM342 over the YT235. The 342 is about $1k cheaper and already has the suspension seat, 1 rear remote, and extendable lower link arms, not to mention the 342 is about 1,000 lbs heavier and the loader can lift nearly double that of the YT235. For an “economy” tractor, seems like it has a good bit of bells and whistles.
My main concern is that the 342 has a shuttle shift. I’ve only driven a HST tractor in the past (only twice so still not much experience). If I’m doing 50/50 loader and 3 pt work, will the synchronized shuttle shift be a disadvantage?? I plan to go drive both but can’t get out there during tax season.
I will say that I do know how to drive manual vehicles and I actually like to do so. Just don’t know how precise I can get with the shuttle shift trying to unload something out the back of a truck or trailer.
I had a old style YM Yanmar with their old YM "power shift" .... It required a full stop to shift ranges, but it had a three forward speeds and one reverse within any single range. It sounds like the new YMs are 8 speeds...with forward and reverse in each speed. That is a lot better configuration because for loader use you often want the same forward and reverse gear ratio. Shifting on the old YM was done with one finger and without lifting your hand from the steering wheel. Make sure the new one is as well. One finger shuttle shift on the steering wheel is the way to go. Much better than having the shuttle on the dash or by your side. Clutching the shuttle was done on the same control by simply "feathering" the lever - that is another feature that we hope they retained. With a shuttleshift, the foot throttle is used to control speed in gears as well as the power. That works well. Shuttle is a huge advantage over their traditional manual shift tractors. A lot of our work was 3pt attachments with blades and mower and tillers. The shuttle is the perfect transmission for that. For loader work it is nice and works a lot faster than a manual shift.
Now we have a newer Kubota with HST. For strictly loader work - for any type of delicate back and forth work I had thought our older YM power/shuttle was perfection ... until I tried the HST. The HST is simply better for loader work. Keep in mind I've never used an I-MHT tranny. It could be better yet.
There is certainly nothing wrong with a shuttle for loader work and it is a thousand percent better than doing loader work with the old gear shift and foot clutch ... it is just that the HST is better at the same game. But HST has downsides... I'll point out a few.
Downside are that the HST does soak up noticibly more power, and there is also this oddity with HST that there are times when lugging hard when a HST has to reduce throttle because doing reducing throttle also lowers the HST gearing.. Study up if you want to know why.
So it is possible sometimes that you can stall a HST until you stop and shift to a lower range, where in the same situation even a dufus like me can get a downshift a shuttle or gear type to just power on through while adding throttle. And HST has a distinct hydraulic whine that gears and shuttles do not. Plus HST required a more active operator when doing constant load at a constant speed work like plowing or tilling.
HST is best when you are constantly making small changes and are in the midrange of power use...which is where you are and should be for most of the time.
Sounds like you have time to make a choice. Get down there and drive them some. That will also let the dealer get to realize you are serious and you might be surprised at what he can come up with.
Try a similare size Kubota with the HST PLUS tranny if you get a chance. It has a comination of HST and Shuttle advantage. Basically like a 6 speed HST.
The difference in PTO power you mentioned on the Yanmars seems real, and my thought is it reflects the difference in the motors. If in doubt, I would believe the PTO specs over engine HP specs.
rScotty
