Help me decide from your experience (Hydrostatic or Shuttle Shift)

[AdamCanterbury]

I am on the fence on choosing a Hydrostatic transmission or going with the Shuttle. I have demoed both and really like the Kioti tractor the best but they do not currently offer the "power" Shuttle like MF does on the 1600 series. The Kioti HST is really smooth and I like it very much. I will mainly be pulling a finishing mower and doing light loader work. My yard has some hills. Will the Hydro fall short for me? Thanks!

 

[case245]

I would get the hst tranny I have a shuddle im tired of it doing loader work shuddle gets old really fast on the leg I would get one size larger tractor if I were you been there done that

 

[AdamCanterbury]

Thanks for the input. I found a few good deals around. I really like the ease of use for the HST.

 

[case245]

you welcome I had a 38hp tractor traded up to a 70hp

 

[Grandad4]

For the kind of work you mentioned, the HST is great. Don't know what model HST Kioti you're looking at, but suggest you find one with 3 speed ranges instead of 2. With the 2 ranges, you're always shifting between Hi and Lo because one is geared for pulling power and the other for high travel speed. The 3 range setup has that Mid range that's a good all-around balance of reasonable speed and OK pulling power, so you don't have to be shifting ranges for most work. Not the biggest problem in the world, but it improves your productivity a little.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

My first two tractors were shuttle units the one I have now is HST and for me no going back! :2cents:

 

[GManBart]

If you're not doing something where every PTO horsepower counts, HST is pretty hard to beat. For loader work there's no comparison, and even using a finish mower, or brush cutter, they're really handy. One of the regular posters here just traded in a nearly new LS R4041 Shuttle to get an R4047 Hydro almost entirely because he started to really hate the shuttle. You know that had to cost him a few bucks, and he still did it.

 

[scoutcub]

With your applications, I would also opt for the hydro. I tried a shuttle shift last year, but really didn't like it in the woods, and doing loader work.
I also traded it back in for the same tractor with hydro.
Mine also has cruise control, a very nice feature for a hydro...

 

[Piston]

In my opinion, having operated both types like many others, an HST wins hands down. It is very hard to beat a hydrostatic transmission.

 

[TripleR]

I run both, go with the HST.

 

[Bluegill2]

If you have to ask this question, then HST is what you need to get.

I much prefer gear, or shuttle, but I do little loader work.

 

[WM75Guy]

If you are limited to one tractor go for the HST. My wife's TC40DA HST has the loader and it works great for loader work. Before I got my Boomer 8N I used it for mowing and it was really nice to have HST for backing around trees. You can turn in the seat to look backwards and not have to let go of the wheel to shift directions.

My Boomer 8N has the CVT which is basically a cross between the shuttle and HST. I use the lever for forward and reverse and the pedal for speed, no gears to select. It has the cutter on it. The nice thing about CVT is there is no HST whine which is nice for long hours mowing.

 

[k0ua]

If it is mostly loader work, HST is the way to go. It is also safer on hills and easy for others unfamiliar with the tractor to jump on and need a minimum of instruction or practice to operate safely and easily.

 

[Bluegill2]

If you are limited to one tractor go for the HST. My wife's TC40DA HST has the loader and it works great for loader work. Before I got my Boomer 8N I used it for mowing and it was really nice to have HST for backing around trees. You can turn in the seat to look backwards and not have to let go of the wheel to shift directions.

My Boomer 8N has the CVT which is basically a cross between the shuttle and HST. I use the lever for forward and reverse and the pedal for speed, no gears to select. It has the cutter on it. The nice thing about CVT is there is no HST whine which is nice for long hours mowing.

I've never heard of, or seen a Boomer!

Dang, that's a great looking tractor!!!

 

[jenkinsph]

I prefer a hydro for mixed jobs, just easier to use imo. Gears are more efficient for large field work though.

 

[Beltman60]

If I were to be looking for a tractor to do what you mentioned it would be hydro for sure
I love mine and it wasn't 2 days after I had it my wife and then 13 year old daughter were using it
very easy to use with loader work and when slashing the fields you don't need to drop RPM's around bushes and trees or on the ends
just ease up on the peddle and move a little slower

 

[bigbull338]

i stepped up from an HST to a hydro shuttle tractor because i needed more hp an loader lift cap.but for you id say get the HST.

 

[Piston]

i stepped up from an HST to a hydro shuttle tractor because i needed more hp an loader lift cap.but for you id say get the HST.

Any regrets?

 

[bigbull338]

Any regrets?

no it was the best thing id ever done.back in 2010 i had thought about the hydro shuttles because i was wanting either the 7040 or 8540.but because not knowing how my leg would hold up to clutching when needed an money i with with the HST.now 2013 mx5100 hst was doing what i asked of it but straining.so enter the 7040 wich i found out that i dont have to clutch at all doing what i do with it.now if you was plowing or discing you would need to clutch to shift from farward to nutrel because of the rpms you be running at.