Can a compact HST be towed any distance?

Theowegian · Jun 26, 2004

I was just wondering if I ever ran out of gas or got a flat tire, could my new L3130 be pulled or towed any distance? I know it is typically "death" on any hydrostat... Is there is way you can defeat the hydro drive on a L3130 or any other kubota compact? I know on my little JD lawn tractor, you just pull a lever and then you can push it around the shop, whenever I need to work on it.

thanks,
dwight

Bird · Jun 26, 2004

Dwight, you can put the range selector in neutral and you can push it around the shop just fine manually. What I don't know is how far and how fast it would be safe to tow it. Personally, I wouldn't be afraid to tow it as fast as it can normally run in high range for a couple of miles, but that's only my guess.

chrisjbell · Jun 27, 2004

No, you can't tow it behind a vehicle at higher speeds. You're looking at serious issues. Even though your transmission (whether HST or not) is disengaged (and depending on type it may or not be), the tires are not rated for any kind of speed above about 5 - 10 mph. They are also not designed to run on pavement. And depending on your tractor, you will probably have parts of the drivetrain (front part of the 4WD, etc.) engaged whether you kick out the 4WD, put it in neutral, or not (the front axles will turn whether 4WD is in or out, for example).

These machines are not designed for high speeds, meaning anything above about 5 mph (OK, maybe 7ish /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). These are tractors, not road vehicles. Even the JD tractor, when disengaged, can't be moved at "high speeds". Sure you can push it around the shop or garage, but trying to pull it on the road would be a disaster.

That doesn't mean you can't pull one *slowly*, though. HST won't make a difference if you take it nice and easy. But remember not to pull it faster than it can actually go on its own and you should be OK. (Not talking about 100 mile treks here - just "limp home" kind of situations.) To move a tractor for any distance you want to trailer it.

kokopelli2 · Jun 28, 2004

then why are my tires rated to 30 mph?

KirkMcD · Jun 28, 2004

( then why are my tires rated to 30 mph? )

For the same reason that my car's tires are rated to 120 mph, even though it isn't a sports car.

slowrev · Jun 28, 2004

I would also think that fluid filled tires would behave erratically at best at higher speeds as well.

BillyP · Jun 28, 2004

I know it's not a Kubota but should hold true for any compact tractor.

The OM for a JD 4510/4610/4710 HST says it can be safely towed for short distances. Put the range selector in neutral, lock both right and left brake peddles together and not go over 10 MPH. Also, if it's MFWD, disengage.

NIXON · Jun 28, 2004

Dwight.
If you run Out of fuel ,have a flat ,or are otherwise immobilized . Put the range selector into neutral . You can then move it at reasonable speed for a short distance .
A reasonable speed in this case is probably 5 mph or less as you won't have power steering . A short distance is less than a Half mile . Mind You either number I've stated will be muich less if you have a flat tire . Unless you like buying new rims /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
John

chrisjbell · Jun 29, 2004

then why are my tires rated to 30 mph? 

Well, mine aren't. I've got R4s, though, and are not speed rated (as far as I was able to tell by looking at them). It may be that other types (turfs) are rated differently.

But my point was really that the drivetrain on the tractor isn't meant to go 30 mph, more like 5 - 10 mph.