glide shift/power shift

TractorLuvr · Jul 19, 2003

Whats the difference between Kubotas glide shift and grey markets power shift? I absolutly love glide shift, are there any other tractor makers with glide shift?

hosejockey2002 · Jul 19, 2003

I don't know about Kubota's glide shift, but powershift is a manual transmission that can be shifted on the go without using the clutch. It uses the hydraulic fluid in the transmission to sychronize the gears so they can shift without declutching. I beleive large agricultural tractors have something similar. Someone with a more technical mind than me can probably explain it better.

markie61 · Jul 19, 2003

The GST allows you to move between the ranges and the gears within that range without using the clutch. Apparently, switches on the selector knob activate clutches that allow the shifts. In addition, there is a shuttle to go from forward to reverse. It is exclusive to Kubota.

I don't know what a powershift is....

Mark

JerryG · Jul 19, 2003

A powershift is like an automatic clutch. You use the clutch to get started, then you can shift between ranges or gears without using the clutch. If you are going slow, you can even change directions without the clutch. My new MF 1440 that's at the dealer has powershift. Lots of tractors has it, they may call it something else.

5030 · Jul 19, 2003

Our big John Deere's have what JD calls "power shift". You can't change direction but you can advance in gears within a particular range and you down shift within that range also. If you want to change range you must clutch. Most of ours have 4 ranges with 3 intermediate gears in each range. An example would be if you were going down the road from field to field, you'd be in High Range. You'd start out in High 1, push the lever forward to 2 to increase ground speed and then to 3 for the highest speed. When slowing down, you do the opposite. You never use the clutch except when stopping or changing direction or range shift.

The power transition from H1-H2-H3 is pretty abrupt so it's advisable to throttle back.

In the lower ranges it's not. When you are in the field, cultipacking for instance, you'd be in L1. If the ground is pretty loose, you'd advance to L2 or L3. The shift isn't abrupt in the lower ranges due to gear multiplication. Besides, the implement is putting a strain on the tractor so you'd not feel the shift anyway.

I know that's kind of complicated, but that's how JD's and most ag tractor transmissions work. What I have described is a 12-12 powershift transmission.

TractorLuvr · Jul 19, 2003

With a GST you have 8 years on the left side of the seat and a forward/reverse lever on the steering column. You never have to use the clutch to change gears or to switch directions. I actually use the clutch to stop the machine, whenever i press on the brakes the machines engine quits so i have to use the clutch. Is there anything similar to GST?

5030 · Jul 20, 2003

I hope you mean 8 GEARS on the left side, I don't ever keep a tractor 8 YEARS!!!!

SageBrush · Jul 20, 2003

Actually the Kubota GST has 12 gears, the FST has 8. I think Kubota is the only one that offers the 12 speed with no ranges and clutchless shifting. I only use the clutch in tight areas and while using the loader. Sometimes I run all day with out touching that clutch. The GST is very smooth and fast. I even shift on hills, which is somthing I have not been able to do on other gear tractors. I bushed hogged about 20 today, I sure do like the stabilty of my L4330.

Does any one else offer a "GST" like trans?

TractorLuvr · Jul 22, 2003

sorry i meant 8 gears.

My companies Kubota L35 has 8 gears on the left
http://www.kubota.com/blutility2.cfm
underSpeeds (forward/reverse)

GST (Glide Shift)
8F / 8R

zuiko · Jul 22, 2003

Anybody know what the "partial" shift on the go transmission is on the JD (Yanmar) 990? The JD 790 (also Yanmar) I looked at you have to stop to shift. I'm hoping it means I can clutch to change gears.