My brother has own one for over 20 years. Bought it used and still just keeps on running. Probably 3000-4000 hours. I had another one about the same year as his. Used it for 3-4 years and then upgraded. Both were extremely reliable tractors. Both were gear driven but there are HSTs.
They are about as durable and simple as a CUT gets. A little cramped to get on and off with the "hump" in the middle. A Kubota dealer once told me he had one traded in with over 10,000 hours.