2-Speed vs. 3-Speed HST

[cerescobra]

I've narrowed my tractor choices to the JD 2520 and the Kubota B2920 or B3030. They seem to be very similar and there are some specific features that I prefer on each. One seemingly big difference, however, is the Deere has a 2-speed HST vs. 3-speeds on the Kubotas. I've tried to find information on the speed and torque ratings in each range of each HST, but have come up empty. One Green dealer told me the third range on the Orange tractors is a "creeper" range. Sounds good for pulling stumps, but not so attractive for mowing. I'm not sure I believe this comment, but it got me thinking about how to determine how big an advantage the 3-speed would be. Does anyone have any data and/or real world experience with this question? I'll be using the tractor for mowing, occasional landscaping (FEL work) and moving wood around to support my woodburner. Knowing the experience base on this forum, this should spark some debate and I hope honest opinions.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[daTeacha]

My Case has a 3 range hst. The top range is useful for going down the road, if there isn't too big a hill. Other than that, it's geared too high to be any good. Check the speed ranges of both tractors in each of the hst ranges and you might get some idea. A really low top speed would indicate a lot of pull, whereas a high one (15 mph or more in a CUT) would indicate a road gear. You should find that information in the booklets from the dealership. A good salesman should be able to check his books to tell you, too. I would be a little wary of a salesman that can't/won't/doesn't want to tell you the top speed in a given range for a tractor you're interested in. To me it would indicate that either they're too lazy to do a little work prior to the sale, or they know very little about what they're selling, neither of which is a good thing in my book.

Or you could post a question on the brand specific forums here and someone will be able to tell you.

I find the ability to move really slowly when I need to is the biggest advantage of having the HST. If the Kubota is geared lower, it could come in real handy for some delicate jobs.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think the low range on the JD2x20 series will allow the tractor to go about 4.5 MPH. Kubota doesn't separate the speeds on their web site, but most folks mow, and do many chores in the mid range, and find it plenty fast, and powerful for that work, even on hills. The low range on the Kubota may only go about 3.5 mph on some models, and that might be a bit slow for mowing. In reading the posts here, I've found that quite a few folks think the low range speed on the John Deere's is just a little slow for most mowing...... though I probably would be happy with it with all my obstacles.

 

[Toolguy]

I have a B3030 that I use for many different tasks. I like the 3 speed HST. I use low occasionally but use medium the most including most loader work. High is useful for plowing snow. It has plenty of power for that and really speeds up the job compared to medium. Medium is just about perfect for mowing. It is plenty fast and when the ground is smooth you can just push the pedal all the way down and go. Reverse is fast and turns can be made quickly at the end of a row. I believe medium is about 1 mph faster than low on a JD2520. That may not seem like much but cutting an extra 1 mile long swath of grass each hour is a lot. The Kubota MMM handles that speed just fine unless the grass is extra tall or thick.

For heavy loader work I use low. Or, when I want precise control of the machine.

For me, a 2 speed machine limits the ability to get the most out of the equipment. The larger JD CUTs have 3 speed hydros. I think if they would have put a 3 speed in the 2520 it would be a lot better machine.

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Ceres,

From my speed chart, the B2630 with ag tires will go 0 - 3.0 in low, 0 - 5.5 in medium and 0 - 11.5 in high - reverse is a little slower at 2.4, 4.4 and 9.2 top speeds respectively.

Unless you are doing a lot of heavy work, you will probably spend most of your time in medium.

High range in most used in transport or light duty work.

Good luck!

 

[4720 OWNER]

Not really part, but put the tractor in low range when neighbor is using it so does not go to fast and get into trouble, esp if FEL work. (Same person who has rolled her 4 wheeler twice! Safety feature.

 

[Grand_Pooba]

I've used my father's Mahindra 2015 hst with which has 2 ranges and found it quite limiting. I was moving a pile of loss dirt to differt low spots in my yard. It had to be in low to get into the pile with the fel and than back th high to get to where you were going. It seemed like a lot of shifting for hydro.

 

[joe48]

you will find several threads in the Kioti forum discussing this issue relateing to the CK20HST vs. the CK25/30 HSTs.

Virtually all CK20 owners (me too) have few if any complaints (not counting the cracked older loaders) about the CK20 except the lack of a thrid medium speed range that Kioti added when they came out with the CK25/30's . I'm positive that there are speed charts for all models from all manufacturers, steer clear of a salesman that doesn't care about the most basic information about his products.
I'm sure most other tractors are about the same ,the low range is great for heavy work and hill climbing, and high is too fast or lacks power for mowing or snow plowing and working a load uphill, the CK 20's really need that medium range.

Take a look at Kioti and Mahindra if you have them in your area.
However the bottom line is go to the dealer that gives the best service and helps YOU the most regardless of make. He should be able to discuss with you how you will use the tractor now and in the future and recommend the the best size and features to meet your REAL NEEDS and pocket book. I wouldn't go near that JD salesman again,see if they have someone more knowledgeablke and honest there if you like the JD's.

good luck, Joe48

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I've seen both the Deere and Kubota tractors hooked to load cells, in low the Kubota pulls almost double what the Deere can manage in low. To say its a creaper is probably not too far from the truth... IMO, thats a good thing. The low range would be great for pushing into a pile or dirt, pulling logs, etc,etc.

 

[jejeosborne]

I have a B7800 which has one more HP that the 2920 and can tell you that the 3-speed trans is the reason I bit the bullet and bought the larger machine. I was interested at the time for a 23-26 HP unit and the dealer talked me into the B7800 for my plans for a lot of loader work. I operate the unit 85% of the time in the Mid range and it has enough power to spin all 4 wheels during loader work. If I am in some good clay dirt with excellant traction I sometimes need to select the lower range to get all 4 tires to spin. High range is very high and only used when not towing anything and no large hills. My drive is pretty steep and I cannot stop in the middle of the hill in high range and start going again without downshifting. I have heard of too many people say they are always switching gears with the two speed. Why have a hydro if you are switching so much is my thought.

 

[texasjohn]

My Kubota has 3 ranges. Never knew there were some tractors with only two. The 3 is very natural to me and just right... I tend to agree with all posts prior to mine re when to use each range and why.

 

[hazmat]

When I decided to upgrade from My New Holland TC18 one of the must haves was a 3 range tranny - low is too slow, and high doesn't have enough power to get up my hill - medium is just right... Of course having 30HP (B3030) vs. 18 helps too...

I'll bet dollars to donuts that when Deere updates/replaces the 2520 model, it will have a 3 range tranny.

 

[tcarter1]

From practical experience on my L2800, I can say that the 3 speed HST is very useful. I use the rotary tiller in low range, mow and do most other utility functions in mid range. The only time I use high range is transport.

 

[schmism]

the new hollands go from a 2speed to a 3speed between there subcompact and compact. (tz and TC)

There have seen a couple of posts that say the 2 speed doesn't have a low enough gear to get the most grunt out of the tractor. (bypass before spinning the tires)

I love my 3 speed, low for FEL and drawbar work (can spin the tires before bypass even on fairly hard ground). 2 for most everything else including mowing. and 3 for transit and some mowing in summer when i just need to knock the weeds down on hard ground.

If you plan on any kind of FEL work regularly, drive all of them and see how fast they will back up. When doing FEL work you REALLY need a rabbit reverse/turtle forward setting. the one thing i hate about mine.

 

[Runner]

"It had to be in low to get into the pile with the fel and than back th high to get to where you were going."

This was my experience as well with the 2520 when moving a 25 ton pile of gravel. I'm not sure if a third range would help, but have to think that something in between low and high would have been about right. Actually, just a slightly lower gearing on the high range might be fine too, since I'm not into hot-rodding around on tractors, just would like to be able to move a little faster when doing the chores.

For mowing, low seems fine because I have lots of hills and rough ground and a heavy mower (72 inch RFM). However, this year I'll be trying out the 62D belly mower, so I may be wishing for more speed...

I'll be doing the first mowing of the season this weekend, weather permitting, and find out for sure.

 

[Sniggle]

I have not tried a 2 speed HST, but in my first 40 hours with my 3 speed HST I have utilized all speeds:

- Low speed when pulling a box blade with scarifiers down or a landscape rake through thick rough terrain or digging out rocks

- Medium speed for normal landscape rake work, back blade work, loader work (I suspect mowing also, although I have not done that yet.

- High speed to get from point A to point B or when doing jobs that can be done fast (backward raking broadcast grass seed to cover).

I know I would be frustrated with only 2 speeds.

 

[bandit67]

I had a 2 speed hydro on my subcompact, and pretty regularly wished I had a 3rd range. I've rented quite a few larger machines over the years from small compacts to full size, all with the 3 range.

I decided that my next machine would be a 3 range. I logged 8 hours on a B7800 last fall, and ended up using all 3 ranges throughout the day.

I don't understand why JD won't go with a 3 range on those machines, and after hearing that the new 30.5 hp JD 2720 was also to be a 2 range, I decided not to wait around for it's release later this spring.