Grand L30 HST vs GST

[Rick Jay]

Wall,

Personally, I recommend the hydro. But as others have said, try to drive both and make a decision.

It seems to me one of the only real advantages a "geared" type tractor had over a hydro unit was the ability to easily and repeatedly set a specific ground speed by a combination of gear ratio and rpm. From what I read, this is really important for accurate pesticide/fertilizer dosages. However, the "IntelliPanel" on the new Kubota 30 series has ground speed available on the indicator panel, and the tractor has cruise control as well.

Near as I can tell, other than "personal preference", I don't see any reason or application where a geared tractor would have an advantage.

Good Luck in your decision.

~Rick

 

[TractorLuvr]

I drive a Kubota L35 with GST and it is absolutly wonderful. With GST you have 12 gears(i think thats what someone said) and you dont have to clutch just switch while the tractor is moving and after you switch, you're in that gear. When i drove a HST once i didnt really like it, it felt like i didnt have enough power. I do alot of smoothing dirt(mud roads this summer from rain) and when i need that extra power i reach down and put it in a higher gear. My company has a Kubota L35 and another one thats not an L35 but the exact same with a boxblade and both do everything i throw at them, now at the 5300 hour mark. I will remind you, you dont have to clutch for anything, i use it for braking and hardly use the brakes. Me and my assistant really do prefer GST over HST, both L35's are GST and had the choice of the two and my boss picked GST, so he likes it too.

 

[SageBrush]

Peolpe some times do not understand what the HST pedal does. They just push it all the way down which is like changing ratios. The Kubota HST takes some getting used to. Its not a "gas" pedal. I have run both, the HST is strong... 2 or 3 HP differance. But for my use GST works great and I could never get comfortable with the HST pedal... long legs, big feet. I couldn't use the pedal right. JD and NH was no problem.

Does the ehydro work the same as HST?

 

[_RaT_]

I would suspect you would be quite suprised at what you could get accustom too and how quickly you could do it. To say you have big feet and long legs, mine are size 14 and I'm 6'1, not huge for sure but the Kubota pedal (L3830) is a snap to use. Folks will at first confuse any HST pedal whether its a JD, NH, Kubota etc., over the mechanics of how to use it, thats natural. Its like watching someone use a loader for the first time, kinda frustrating but eventually they get a handle on it. My JD 510 uses the two pedals and I have no problem with it either. I find it difficult to believe you would have a problem using Kubotas after a little use, in fact, some folks who bought the Kubota and mentioned at first they disliked the pedal, now have done a complete reversal and mention they really like it. I have yet to make the mistake of going into reverse when what I wanted to do was go forward on the Kubota. Frequently I do it on my JD 510 front deck mower. Either way, I can easily accomodate both styles. If you cannot handle the Kubota HST pedal, never, ever drive a Bobcat where you use your hands to drive and feet to work the loader, that also takes a little getting accustom too, something most of us can easily accomplish with a little practice. Like the Bobcat skidsteers, having HST on my tractor makes loader work much quicker then GST or a standard manual, hands down no question about it.


eHydro is HST with some electronics thrown in. After trying the various models of JD like the 4310 ehydro and 4410, my conclusion is no one makes a smoother operating hydro then Kubota, a big part of my decision, that and the loader. Rat...

 

[SageBrush]

As an equipment operator I have been on most tractors except for the 200 + hp AG tractors for many hours. Yellow paint most of the time. I have never liked the Kubota hst pedal because it makes my leg cramp. I'm just under 6'-5" bare foot with a 14 1/2 size foot. Most of the times that means size 15 foot wear. Large frame, 56" chest etc. I'm not the tall skinny type. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My legs are long and my foot naturally lands my heel on the front edge of the pedal. Not comfortable for me. If I wanted the hydro I would have gone NH since my dealer has them. Comfort is important to me, I run my L4330 GST at least 10 hours at a time and I have no leg problems. Thankfully we have so many choices we can find the tractor that fits us. Remember when you had straight gears or straight gears? I still have one of those to keep me from getting too soft.

 

[_RaT_]

"Thankfully we have so many choices we can find the tractor that fits us. Remember when you had straight gears or straight gears?"

Can't argue with you there, I am glad we have the choices as well. I am definitely on the leaner side and find getting on the tractor from either side quite easy while others find the joy stick tags them in the mid section. We do have many choices and I will be the first to admit, the GST Kubota makes is slick. It works very well and quite frankly am surprised there are no competitors. With arguably the best HST and the only one with GST, Kubota offers alot. The HST pedal on the L30 series has been even more refined since previous tractors and for most all of us, works very, very well.

I still own and run an International 454 diesel with 8 forward, 4 reverse transmission. For a manual, it shifts exceptionally well. While much heavier and more powerful then my Kubota, it pales in user friendlyness and all around performance. I still use it, but very little. Rat...

 

[BWS]

i think the hst is the fastest transmission under the sun for getting a job done[save lots of hours on the meter].jmho.

 

[Wall]

Thanks to everyone for their input I still have not driven either tractor. I have read other Post on the board and found many good comments on both transmissions. I am still leaning towards a GST it seems to be more in line with what I plan to do. I have been driving a gear drive tractor Oliver 550 for more that twenty years. But I must say I really want to drive a HST and find out how well it operates.