Well we've been looking at the L3240, and have pretty much decided on it. Now, the problem we're having is deciding between gear transmission, or HST? We're planning to haul logs with it, do some loader work, like moving firewood, maybe dig some dirt, probably get a pallet for too. My question is, is the extra $1700 for the HST worth it, or would we be happy with gears? We tried both, and I personally think the gear was kinda fun to drive, but can appreciate the simplicity of the HST. Oh, and we tried the shuttle, but not really sure about it. I did search but am still unclear on what would be best for us.
Another L3240 transmission question
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TripleR
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Unfortunately only you can answer that and even then it may take quite some time before you really make up your mind.
I have geared units as well as one with shuttle shift as well as HST; don't know anything about GST. I was fairly happy with the ones I had until I tried HST and I will never buy another geared tractor. My uses are pretty much like yours, mowing, bush hogging, FEL and box blade work. On the rare occasions we use a breaking plow or something like that we use a geared unit.
By your very question, I must assume you are new to tractoring, so you are not going to have much to judge all of this by, so if you don't try anything else, you will probably be happy with anything you get.
I grew up farming and when you spend twelve or fourteen hours a day on a tractor shifting hundreds of times a day, a clutch and gears aren't really going to slow you down, but for the occasional user it may very well.
There are some old threads under the general discussions on "gear v HST you might find helpful. Either way you go you will have a great little tractor.
I have geared units as well as one with shuttle shift as well as HST; don't know anything about GST. I was fairly happy with the ones I had until I tried HST and I will never buy another geared tractor. My uses are pretty much like yours, mowing, bush hogging, FEL and box blade work. On the rare occasions we use a breaking plow or something like that we use a geared unit.
By your very question, I must assume you are new to tractoring, so you are not going to have much to judge all of this by, so if you don't try anything else, you will probably be happy with anything you get.
I grew up farming and when you spend twelve or fourteen hours a day on a tractor shifting hundreds of times a day, a clutch and gears aren't really going to slow you down, but for the occasional user it may very well.
There are some old threads under the general discussions on "gear v HST you might find helpful. Either way you go you will have a great little tractor.
Baldyonthehill
Member
I have an L3240 DT and don't mind shifting at all. My personal opinion is the simpler the better and longer lasting and the money saved is always good for another implement or ?
I have used our tractor for digging, plowing, mowing, moving rock, filling in trenches, etc.
Only you can determine the value of not shifting.
Love my tractor and find it one of the most useful tools I own. Good luck with your decision.
I have used our tractor for digging, plowing, mowing, moving rock, filling in trenches, etc.
Only you can determine the value of not shifting.
Love my tractor and find it one of the most useful tools I own. Good luck with your decision.
Well, probably falling into the minority as far as cars/trucks, I actually like a manual shift vehicle, wished I owned one again. Anyways, thanks for the replies. I keep thinking is that extra money really worth it? I wasn't bothered at all by the shifting, and theres a guy who recommended the L 3240 who has a gear transmission and is very happy with it, and he does most everything we would do with ours. I am still open to HST, but really don't see a definitive reason to spend extra for it. I see the opinions on here are pretty divided about it as well.
JOHNTHOMAS
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I don't think your looking at the right threads on the evenly divided opinions. Ask your dealer or any dealer which one out sales the other by probably 80 to 20 and that's giving the geared a big number at 20. If one is just mowing a geared would be as good as an HST in use but not ever in resale. Yes, I trade alot so resale to me is a big consideration. Any doubts of what I'm saying, ask a dealer pertaining to sales and resales.
FEL work with an HST is a pleasure.One hand on steering wheel, one hand on FEL control stick and a foot determining the forward or reverse and how fast. That one should be very easy to see. With practise it becomes almost one continuous movement of into and out and swinging around for dumping.
I have a 5 speed geared car and that's the only way it comes, no auto available. So, I'm not an anti geared person just in tractors with FEL's. Had a geared truck and like to have never sold it. Bought it cheap and sold it cheap. Ask any car/truck dealer how they sale.
Don't think you'll find one out of a hundred that have changed from geared to HST that will change back to geared.
If there is one thing on a tractor that is worth the money to me is the HST and that's based on 10 Kubota purchases in 6 years. No geared vs all HST's.
FEL work with an HST is a pleasure.One hand on steering wheel, one hand on FEL control stick and a foot determining the forward or reverse and how fast. That one should be very easy to see. With practise it becomes almost one continuous movement of into and out and swinging around for dumping.
I have a 5 speed geared car and that's the only way it comes, no auto available. So, I'm not an anti geared person just in tractors with FEL's. Had a geared truck and like to have never sold it. Bought it cheap and sold it cheap. Ask any car/truck dealer how they sale.
Don't think you'll find one out of a hundred that have changed from geared to HST that will change back to geared.
If there is one thing on a tractor that is worth the money to me is the HST and that's based on 10 Kubota purchases in 6 years. No geared vs all HST's.
crazyal
Super Member
If you have the money I would get the HST. For everything you've talked about sounds like a lot of clutch work to me. HST has been around a long time and has proven itself. When doing loader work with the HST you just simply push on the pedal and drive into the pile. For dragging logs with the HST you have full control of your speed, again no clutch to slip.
I think Messick's Kubota has some on line videos of the HST.
I think Messick's Kubota has some on line videos of the HST.
lawn_king
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I think the hydrostat plus tranny, is where the GRAND, in the grand L series comes from.
medicshawn
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HST wins hands down. I have a manual transmission in my truck but love the HST.
PHILIP8N
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I came from a 1950 8N to a L3940HST. Most of my time is mowing, and the HST has cut alot of time from my mowing. I also like the HST and autothrottle for loader work. The HST and autothrottle has also been nice for snow removal. I still have the 8N, used for lesser chores now, mainly moving trailers around or tractor shows. I would be hesitant to hook up my 2 bottom plow to the L3940, not sure how the HST would hold up to serious ground engaging impliments. Philip.
JOHNTHOMAS
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I would believe it would hold up to pulling your implements for you as well as it has for the other HST owners for years and years and years. Your kidding, right?
Mo, I hope you realize your gear vs. hydro question always brings out some strong opinions - some well reasoned and some not so much - because the "new" HST's are different from the gearboxes farmers grew up with. I have both types of equipment, and neither is a "wrong" choice, but only you can decide what's best for you.
If you're doing tillage work more than occasionally, the gear type will have some advantages, but for the kind of work you describe, even veteran operators figure out there is a gain in overall productivity going to the hydro drive vs. the gearbox. You just get more work done in a given amount of time, particularly with the loader. Only you can decide if that's important or not.
Beyond that, it makes tractors easier to operate, just like the automatic does for cars and trucks. Maybe that rubs some old-timers the wrong way, but I personally appreciate its advantages. Again, that's a matter of preference.
If you're doing tillage work more than occasionally, the gear type will have some advantages, but for the kind of work you describe, even veteran operators figure out there is a gain in overall productivity going to the hydro drive vs. the gearbox. You just get more work done in a given amount of time, particularly with the loader. Only you can decide if that's important or not.
Beyond that, it makes tractors easier to operate, just like the automatic does for cars and trucks. Maybe that rubs some old-timers the wrong way, but I personally appreciate its advantages. Again, that's a matter of preference.
PHILIP8N
Veteran Member
Nope, not kidding. When I pull my 2 bottom x 14" plow I will drag out the old 8N. I am concerned with putting the plow behind the HST. Are you saying the HST will be fine with this plow? I dont know, so I will pull with 8N until I learn more. All other equipment, pulverizer, box blade, straight blade, etc, will be pulled by L3940. Philip.
Samandothers
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David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
Got the Grand L3130GST with pulling logs and a plow in mind but do a lot of loader work with it now. When it comes to shifting I do not use the main clutch but let the tractor use the hydraulic clutches for the shuttle shift and gear changing. Have not had any issues but the GST does work better with the Super UDT. Do not see any advantage that the FST has other than if you were taking it to a third world country with no support, think the GST is a good trade off of features. There are times when I am doing alot of loader work when I wish I had the HST but do not think I would do a trade to get it. With the Glide Shift you need to remember that you do not have any hill holding when the tractor engine is stopped so you must use the parking brake if you stop on a steep hill where a hydro will just creep away.
David Kb7uns
David Kb7uns
medicshawn
Platinum Member
The HST doesn't move on steep hills.
JOHNTHOMAS
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I don't know anything about an 8n but if a Kubota L3940HST won't pull a 2 bottom plow there is something bad wrong and it won't be the HST part of it.
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
Both my RTV1100 and my BX2230 do creep on steep hills unless you set the parking brake but they are not a runaway like a GST would be.
You must remember that when a hydro is stopped it is in a "hover" like a helicopter where the forces are equal and outside forces may change your direction.
David Kb7uns
Well if you have never used the hydrostat plus trans then you will love the gear trans. If you get the gear trans and then get some seat time in the new hydrostat plus you will be sick that you did not get it when you had the chance. It's kind of like when you never had someting better you don't know any better so you don't really miss it but if you ever try something better you never want to go back..
If you tilling the hydrostat is a must. If your doing loader work the hydrostat is above all the transmissions that are available on the market today because of the auto downshift and stall guard. I also love the auto throttle as well as the adjustability of the transmission.
If you tilling the hydrostat is a must. If your doing loader work the hydrostat is above all the transmissions that are available on the market today because of the auto downshift and stall guard. I also love the auto throttle as well as the adjustability of the transmission.
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