3520 AUTO HST

redjacket42 · May 3, 2008

I test drove a 3520 with auto hst yesterday! Wow! I was about to buy a Kubota 3940 with GST (I don't like the HST pedal on Kubota) but I Really liked the JD auto HST. It is JUST LIKE A 1970's CAR. Gas pedal on floor and F-N-R shift on the column. Now all I have to do is make the price right. Dealer said it is the 1st and only auto hst they have got. Price is as follows

3520 auto hst $19,829
300cx $4,049
Woods BH 80X
backhoe $7200
Thumb $500

I would like the JD 448 back hoe but they want $2000 more than the Woods.
Do these prices seem high or in ballpark?

Thanks!

GreatWhitehunter · May 3, 2008

The price for the 448 is high. I bought mine last year for $7800 with power beyond install and delivery. The woods hoe is nice but the 448 fitment is alot better. There's a recent thread discussing the two.

Matt T.

redjacket42 · May 3, 2008

The price for the 448 included a mechanical thumb as well (About $1000).

Also I just read a thread about the Auto HST - I guess people think it is made for women. Well, I am a tractor newbie - just bought 64 acres (all woods) with a 1/2 mile gravel driveway. I haven't tested the ehydro with brakes on the left. The Auto hst just felt natural to me. Shifting was a simple flick of a finger. The CUT almost stopped instantly with just taking your foot off the pedal. I wouldn't think you would use the brake that much except on hills - which doesn't seem a big deal to move your foot 5 inches up to the brake pedal. I guess you get used to one way but with never trying the old way this system seemed great to me. I am sure I am capable of learning any system ... I drive a 40' bus RV and a 45 foot schooner (sailboat)and am fairly coordinated.

JiminGa · May 3, 2008

if you get the chance drive one with the fel installed and try the standard hst with fel, I like being able to keep one hand on the joystick and one on the steering wheel all the time.

redjacket42 · May 3, 2008

I also think that fuel use would be lower with the auto hst. As soon as your foot lets off the pedal the engine is at idle. If the engine is at idle does the "Load Match" increase engine rpm when the hydraulics are in use? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Thanks.

RogerH · May 3, 2008

redjacket42 said:
I also think that fuel use would be lower with the auto hst. As soon as your foot lets off the pedal the engine is at idle. If the engine is at idle does the "Load Match" increase engine rpm when the hydraulics are in use?

I am speculating a bit since it appears that you may be the first person on TractorbyNet to actually have driven one of these machines. However, it sounds like the operation is quite similar to the PowerReverser tractors with the exception it has no clutch to mess with. When driving one of these machines you have a couple of options to increase the hydraulic output. The first method would be to use the hand throttle to set a minimum engine speed that provides satisfactory hydraulic performance. In this case, when you let off the foot throttle, the engine speed would not drop all the way back to idle. The second method is to learn to shift the forward/reverse lever to neutral to stop the tractor, then use the foot throttle to bring the engine speed up temporarily while operating the hydraulics. I have tried and seen others use both methods. I suggest you try both ways and choose your favorite.

Load Match works with the transmission to prevent engine stalling. It doesn't have any control over the hydraulic system

redjacket42 · May 3, 2008

Thanks for the info RogerH! I guess the auto hst would only save fuel if not using the fel or some other attachment that requires engine speed. I'll have to rethink this one a bit...

Thanks for everyone's help.

JasonMac · May 3, 2008

Hmmm.... I like the "IDEA" of Auto HST..... however.... not enough to give up my independant Left & Right Brakes, placed on the Left side of the machine... I use these brakes a lot. They are there for a purpose, and yes they do make a world of difference if you learn to use them correctly.

Nuru · May 4, 2008

redjacket42 said:
I test drove a 3520 with auto hst yesterday! Wow! I was about to buy a Kubota 3940 with GST (I don't like the HST pedal on Kubota) but I Really liked the JD auto HST. It is JUST LIKE A 1970's CAR. Gas pedal on floor and F-N-R shift on the column. Now all I have to do is make the price right. Dealer said it is the 1st and only auto hst they have got. Price is as follows

3520 auto hst $19,829
300cx $4,049
Woods BH 80X
backhoe $7200
Thumb $500

I would like the JD 448 back hoe but they want $2000 more than the Woods.
Do these prices seem high or in ballpark?

Thanks!

Is the loader with a ballast box and a heavy duty bucket? (61" or 73") i got the 300CX with a 73" HD bucket and hood guard - (Yes i wanted the skidsteer bucket, however they had these instock, so ...etc) for $3800. I also would go back on the dealer about the BH or get it somewhere else.

do you have a quote in hand? If so try getting a competitive offer from say, 146 Supply in MASS? (assuming you are in Maine)

redjacket42 · May 4, 2008

Yes HD 61" bucket, bolt on cutting edge, grill guard, level indicator (not sure if that isn't standard). Already shopped it at another JD dealer.

3520 auto hst, R1s, engine coolant heater, rear work light, $20,034
300 cx61" HD bucket with bolt on cutting edge $3,951
BH80-X Woods Backhoe with thumb $7,167
Total: $31,152

I think the backhoe and fel are in line but I think the tractor should be about$1000 - 1200 less. Build it online comes to 20,700. On the dealer sheet they list it as 22,960. I've read the posts that JD has reduced the dealer's margin. I can't imagine the dealers could pay for all their overhead making $2000/tractor if the markup is only 10%. I would guess it has to be 20-25% over the build it price.

Nuru · May 4, 2008

Okay,

3520 auto hst, R1s, engine coolant heater, rear work light, $20,034
300 cx61" HD bucket with bolt on cutting edge $3,951
BH80-X Woods Backhoe with thumb $7,167
Total: $31,152

I would think the tractor is a bit high - try to work them down a bit more.
Is the bolt on cutting edge on the bucket or is it just a bucket that allows you to bolt-on a cutting edge?

redjacket42 · May 4, 2008

Bolt on cutting edge on the bucket.

Nuru · May 5, 2008

redjacket42 said:
Bolt on cutting edge on the bucket.

Very good. Price definitely seem inline on the bucket - wish I would have waited and purchased mine separately now! LOL!

browns40 · May 5, 2008

Hi redjacket,

Please take time to call Daniel up at Peabody's Lawn & Leisure in Houlton before you pull the trigger on that deal... number is 532-6518.

Can tell him Nathan down in Lubec gave you the number and wanted him to have a shot at selling you that tractor.

He's a 2nd generation JD dealer who only does smaller units now (sold the big side off to Nortrax), and is just a super guy--from the county you know.

Another thing--as nice as the auto-HST is in theory, I just can't see how giving up independent braking and the two-pedal set-up can be good things... more logical to the car driver maybe, but involving more handwork and losing turning ability... be sure you try both out in real-world loader testing & the "turn at the end of the row" trials.

redjacket42 · May 6, 2008

Well I drove a 3320 e hydro yesterday as well as a 4120 hydro. Didn't find it that much different than the auto hst. Personally I don't think shifting on the column (like the power reverser) is that big a deal... its just a flick of the fingers. As far as independent brakes go I could see the use for field work... but I will be in the woods or on a narrow driveway that drops off 2-3 feet on either side. So for me either one would be a good fit. I think the auto hst could be beneficial in some spots where more throttle is needed - no need to adjust it by hand - just put foot down. Some hst owners have complained of their tractors bogging down on hills (kubota hst non plus), the auto hst should solve that problem. It happened that a JD factory rep was there when I test drove. When asked about the auto hst he kind of threw up his hands and said that it is just an option some folks might like. He didn't sound overly excited about it. Now my salesman who is a farm kid LOVES the auto hst and thinks it will take over (maybe just a good salesman, maybe he really does like it?). Frankly, I don't think the auto vs. hydro is that big a deal, I would be happy with either one.
Now what I didn't like was driving the 4120! LOUD compared to the Yanmar! Knock, knock, knock... and not nearly as nimble as the 3000 series. I want a tracto that is comfortable and enjoyable to be on BUT can do the work I'm asking of it. Still not sure which tractor that might be. Going to look at Kioti today just to make sure I'm not missing something... really like the JD 3000 series though!

turbo36 · May 6, 2008

redjacket42 said:
Well I drove a 3320 e hydro yesterday as well as a 4120 hydro. Didn't find it that much different than the auto hst. Personally I don't think shifting on the column (like the power reverser) is that big a deal... its just a flick of the fingers. As far as independent brakes go I could see the use for field work... but I will be in the woods or on a narrow driveway that drops off 2-3 feet on either side. So for me either one would be a good fit. I think the auto hst could be beneficial in some spots where more throttle is needed - no need to adjust it by hand - just put foot down. Some hst owners have complained of their tractors bogging down on hills (kubota hst non plus), the auto hst should solve that problem. It happened that a JD factory rep was there when I test drove. When asked about the auto hst he kind of threw up his hands and said that it is just an option some folks might like. He didn't sound overly excited about it. Now my salesman who is a farm kid LOVES the auto hst and thinks it will take over (maybe just a good salesman, maybe he really does like it?). Frankly, I don't think the auto vs. hydro is that big a deal, I would be happy with either one.
Now what I didn't like was driving the 4120! LOUD compared to the Yanmar! Knock, knock, knock... and not nearly as nimble as the 3000 series. I want a tracto that is comfortable and enjoyable to be on BUT can do the work I'm asking of it. Still not sure which tractor that might be. Going to look at Kioti today just to make sure I'm not missing something... really like the JD 3000 series though!

One reason I don't like the brake on the same side as the throttle is that it makes it harder to safely "inch up" to something. In close quarters or when approaching a potentially unsafe condition, I apply the brake and release it slowly to control my movement, it is much smoother and safer then giving it throttle and possibly lurching forward before you can release the foot throttle and hit the brake.
I believe a very naive and inexperienced marketing person wrote the design parameters for this project. I'm not impressed.

JasonMac · May 6, 2008

Like I've said before, I wouldn't give up the independent brakes for nothing. I use them all the time. And they do serve there purpose! If you are ever doing snow removal, and your front tires are not in contact with the pavement, guess what you use to steer your machine.... the independent brakes! Sure most guys are thinking, I don't use them for that... but learn how to use them, and that is one of things that will make you go from amateur operator, to expert operator. Think of resale value also.... if you ever need to sell this tractor, think about how many guys aren't going to want it because it doesn't include independent brakes..... I'm one of them.... The brakes is one thing John Deere gets right over the Kubota..... the brakes are one the correct side of the machine on the JD Hydros.... Kubota? why even have independent brakes? They are useless! Just my two cents.... give me my brakes...... If JD had L&R Brakes and Auto HST, now they are onto something.....