Buying Advice Gear shift vs. HST

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have bought several Kubota tractors. BX's, B's and one L. Some have had FEL's and some not. Just bought my 13th Kubota from Barlows. This latest purchase is a B2320 geared for just tiller, plow, boxblade and Rolling Overseeder work, no FEL. I now have 3 hours on my B2320 and that has been plowing with a single bottom plow, hitting a mobile home and riding my Grands around the rental property.
I used to say I would never have a geared tractor and I still say that if it has a FEL that I'd use.
I now can say I can't see where a Geared tractor would ever be preferred over an HST. I'm OK/fine with my geared B2320 for the very limited duties I'll be using it for but if it were the same money I'd say HST all the way, no decision or choice but it's not the same money and for a reason, a very good reason. HST is better.
When I start down the row to plow I set the Range to low and the gear to 2 and use the foot throttle to run it up to operating speed and all is well. When I get to the end of the row I clutch, stop and shift operating range to M with gear still in 2 and take off back to the beginning of the next row then clutch stop shift range back down to low and go. In my mind that's the simpliest operation of a tractor. HST would still be easier/faster than geared, no stopping and if any need for reverse comes in then HST is best.
Sorry geared guys. I'd never(other than this one time due to cost) pick a geared over an HST. My geared is OK but it's not HST. I can't think of a single use where a geared would be preferred to HST. I got the geared this time for two reasons. First is it was least expensive and I needed/wanted the least expensive for this tractor that will have very little use. Second I got it so I could do comparisons for TBN users of geared vs HST and I'd had all HST's and no geared. Now I've had/got both. This is just my opinion from my personal use and experience. I try to stay objective/unbiased with my evaluations.
Also, I've never owned any thing bigger than an L and nothing but Kubotas. I don't give experienced opinions/opinions on other than Kubotas or bigger than an L3240HST.

 

[jmpbuffalo]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I'm planning on buying a larger property within a year or two at most. The FEL is the main reason i want a tractor (vs. a riding mower/snowblower) so it looks like HST is the way to go for me.

Joe

 

[fisherridge]

Once you've laid out $1250 for a hydrostat, $950 for a drive motor, $100 for fluid and $100 for filters (plus labor if you don't do the work yourself) you will wish you had gone gear.

 

[crazyal]

Once you've laid out $1250 for a hydrostat, $950 for a drive motor, $100 for fluid and $100 for filters (plus labor if you don't do the work yourself) you will wish you had gone gear.

VS a clutch/ pressure plate/ throw bearing and have to split your tractor in half to get to the clutch? With HST being around for decades with no signs of weakness I'll take my chances with HST not breaking down over a clutch with will need to be replaced.

 

[TripleR]

If an HST is as fragile as some will try to make you believe, no one would buy them, I sure wouldn't. I have gear and HST and like them both and have had no problems with either type.

 

[Branchchipper]

I replaced a MF135D (traditional geared) with an L-5030Hst (hydro) as my main machine a few years ago . I was VERY hesitant about the complexity of the hydro trans at first, having never had one, and being very accustomed to the Massey and others...

However, I spoke to some well respected Kubota ag service guys before buying- they stated that they hardly EVER had to tear open HST transmissions (as opposed to GST and standard gear). Very encouraging...

My experience in hundreds of operating hours since is all positive. Some highlights: increased degree of control; safety on steep hills; simplicity for less experienced operators; GREATLY decreased workload during loader ops, etc, etc.

Kubotas of all sizes are used extensively in vineyards, orchards and other specialty ag applications here in WA and OR- many of those are hydro. They are definitely not just hobby farm machines.

I am a convert- hydro for anything under 60hp!

 

[EThogfarmer]

I have both a gear drive and a HST tractor. As others have stated, the smaller HST is better in confined areas and for loader work, the larger gear drive is better out in the pasture for mowing, disking, etc.

This was brought home to me recently; I had to bury livestock and started out with the gear drive (JD 1250). After I got down a couple of feet my left leg felt like it was going to fall off. I went back and fired up my Kubota 3700 and finished the job (letting my leg rest).

 

[texasjohn]

In the world of mathematics, there is a shorthand.

QED

Which means, very loosely translated, "And that, my friend, is complete proof, nothing more can be said. "

 

[flusher]

Ok, so far I'm just a wannabee tractor owner, but I notice most new tractors have hydrostatic transmissions. Kubota's 2320 is available with a gear shift transmission, however. Other than cost, is there any advantage to the gearshift? Is one or the other more durable/reliable? I've never owned an auto or truck with an automatic transmission, so manual shifting isn't a big deal to me.

Thanks,

Joe

With only one acre, it's a no-brainer---get the hydrostatic.
My first tractor was a 2005 Kubota B7510HST with the LA302 FEL. Fun to operate. No problems in 3 years of ownership (~180 hours on the meter when I traded it for a 2008 Mahindra 5525, which is a 54 hp tractor with a really simple, basic gear tranny.