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[ChasK]

I'm a new guy in this tractor biz...I have a Jinma 2540 on backorder, but am going to cancel. I think I'm going to go with a Kioti or NH instead (knowing I'm going to spend more, upfront). My question is...What is HST and how is it different from putting a tractor in gear and just going? And...is HST what I need?
I have five acres of former farm ground I am going to work into yard and then finish mow those five acres. I also will do some general landscaping around my house. No backhoe work or anything of that nature.
Is the Kioti my best bet? Is the HST my best bet, or the gear tractor??
I don't know...as I said, I'm new to this whole deal. I've been researching for about 3 months now and thought I'd go with the Jinma, but got cold feet when it was backordered and thought it was maybe a sign that I should consider another brand of tractor.
Any help is appreciated...

Charlie
Indiana

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Big suggestion, go to a local dealer, sit on some tractors and drive them. You will learn more in a half hour there then you will in another three months on the internet.

Alot of concepts like HST and differences between machines need to be experienced to be understood. People can give advice online and steer you in the right direction but it seems like you need some real first hand experience to clarify what you need.

 

[Golfgar4]

Hello Charlie, and welcome! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm not sure what size the 2540 is, but I'm guessing 25 hp?

That size machine sounds about right for the size of your property. Actually I would think that anything in the 18 - 24 hp or so range would do nicely, based on what you mentioned.

I agree with Neil that you should get out there and try on various models to see how you fit on them. You really have a wide range of brands to select from in the size that would work for you. Kubota has the BX2200 or BX2300 series, Massey Ferguson has the GC2300 (?), New Holland has the TC18 and TC24, Kioti has the CK20 and soon available CK25, John Deere has the 2210 (?). Well, you get the idea.

You should also consider some of the alternatives, like Power-Trac (although they do not have dealers), Ventrac or Steiner.

I would agree that HST would probably be the best bet for your described uses. HST (hydrostatic transmission) simply put allows you to go from forward to reverse without stopping or using a clutch, and you actually control your ground speed with it also. There are others that can better explain the workings of HST, and I'm sure they will offer you some guidance.

No one here can, or should, tell you what is best for you. Only you can make that determination. However, we can certainly help answer questions, provide information based on experiences (well, not all of us can! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), and help you spend your money! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I think you should really get out there and start test driving as many different machines as you can to get a feel what you like. And of course, continue to do searches and ask questions on TBN to get more information! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck and enjoy the hunt! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[JayC]

I think HST has to be the funnest transmission to operate, and all I use right now is a Cub Cadet lawn tractor!

On the bigger machines, you have a range you can select (still use a clutch for that). The smaller CUT HSTs have two ranges (high and low). The larger machines have 3 (high, medium, and low). Basically, all you do is select your range, press the pedal and go! Can't get any easier! But, HST is different than an automatic in a car. Now granted, when you pess the pedal farther down, you will go faster but lose power at the wheels. When you start to put the engine under load and slow down, don't push the pedal farther down thinking you will go faster. It will probably kill the engine. In this case, you want to ease up on the pedal. Easing up will pull you through those heavy loads. I hope I could explain in alright. If not, maybe someone else can take a stab at it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Garry,
Keep in mind the NH TC18 is gone. The smallest TC model is now the TC21DA.
You can get the sub-CUT TZ18 or the TZ24, but not for me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

I think Messick makes the best point. If you don't have any experience, go get some. Drive some gear tractors, drive some with mechanical shuttle, drive some with synchro shuttle and drive some with HST. It has often been suggested that someone who is new to tractors does better with HST, but I don't think that matters. I have HST now, have had plain gear, no shuttles. One of the major things I like about HST is that I don't have to do any shifting except between the two ranges, and that's not often. I simply push my foot for forward or reverse, keeping my hands on the wheel and loader control, or simply both on the wheel. However, people tend to adjust quite well to whatever transmission they buy. Pricing will be lower for gear, a little more for mechanical shuttle (stop and shift a F/R lever) more for shynchro (don't have to stop to shift F/R) and the most for HST. Just decide which feels best to you and go for that. I will say that I do many many tasks with ease on my CK20HST. John

EDIT: Just want to add that with gear/shuttle transmissions you get a little more PTO HP in case you feel that will be important to run larger implements. John

 

[polecat]

these guys are awesome arent they chaskim /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i think they bout covered your ???'s so no need for my input jist wanted to say"WELCOME TO TBN" hope u stick around a while and is your handle about u chasin some girl named kim brough /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifor is kim brough actually the long way of saying kim brew( a malt liquor that is so strong) that u have to use a chaser /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
cya soon
TODD

 

[SteveH_CT]

Hi Jay - I'm not quite clear on something after reading your post.

Are you saying that you'd have to clutch between ranges on an HST? If so that's not the case, at least on mine... It's just a 3 position shift that I select between... no clutch. That's all, I may have misunderstood your post, so I just wanted to clear it up incase the new guy misunderstood as well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are you saying that you'd have to clutch between ranges on an HST? )</font>

Steve, I know at least some, if not all, of both Kubotas and New Hollands (haven't read the manuals on the Deeres) that have clutches have manuals that say to use the clutch to shift between ranges. That's just an added safety thing in case you shift while the hydro pedal is depressed. If you're completely stopped and the hydro pedal is completely centered, then it makes no difference whether you use the clutch or not.

 

[SteveH_CT]

OK - that's pretty clear - the thing is, mine doesn't have a clutch... it has 3 pedals, go forward, go backward, and stop real fast /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. The Hydro also stops itself, and it's adjustable as well. To date I've only used the brakes to engage the parking brake. I guess everyone goes about the hydrostatic technology a little differently.

Thanks Bird!

 

[JayC]

I didn't know the Deeres didn't have a clutch. No clutch makes it that much easier! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JayC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know at least some, if not all, of both Kubotas and New Hollands (haven't read the manuals on the Deeres) that have clutches have manuals that say to use the clutch to shift between ranges. That's just an added safety thing in case you shift while the hydro pedal is depressed. If you're completely stopped and the hydro pedal is completely centered, then it makes no difference whether you use the clutch or not. )</font>

I didn't know that either. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif What happenes if you are moving and trying to change ranges without using the clutch? Will it just make a grinding noise? Other than the hydro lawn tractors and garden tractors, the only "real" tractors I've used had gears.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Will it just make a grinding noise? )</font>

Maybe. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Of course if things are turning fast enough in there, you ain't gonna be able to get it to go into the range you want. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[JayC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Of course if things are turning fast enough in there, you ain't gonna be able to get it to go into the range you want. )</font>

I didn't think of that, either. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Maybe it's because of this monster headache I have. Yeah, that's it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SteveH_CT]

If I try while I'm moving I can get a chunky gear on gear feel - I've never forced it though. It's always best to be completely stopped to switch ranges on my model.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I have to stop completely as well on my CK20 to change ranges, or get a grinding. John

 

[Golfgar4]

Jerry,

Thanks for the correction! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I'd forgotten that. I guess since my interest is in 30 - 40 hp tractors, I hadn't paid that much attention to the smaller CUTS.

Change of topic - Boy, your area sure got hammered with storms this past weekend. We were in Columbus this past weekend visiting our daughter. We drove through that storm Friday afternoon as we arrived. THAT was fun! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Had a great weekend. It could have been a little cooler though! Ate at some great restaurants, visited the Franklin County (?) Conservatory, stopped by the BookLoft in Germantown (I could easily spend ALL day there! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif), and the ladies did some shopping /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Luckily, they went shopping after we were at the BookLoft, so I had something to read while I waited (although I did a lot of people watching too! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

 

[Inspector507]

Garry,
Glad you enjoyed it here, too bad we didn't get to meet up. That storm was a good one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The Conservatory is a great place, even though I haven't been to it since it opened. I did look at when it was being built/refurbished a few years back. The German Village area is one of the most unique areas of town isn't it? Some strange characters walking in the German Village area, if thats where you did your people watching /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Glad you enjoyed it here, too bad we didn't get to meet up. )</font>

Yeah, it would have been great to meet you and any others. But this was one of those weekends where I chauffered 3 ladies around town, carried packages for them, and basically stayed in the background as THE support person. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Believe it or not, I didn't even bring along the golf clubs, because I knew there wouldn't be time to play. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I did make the ladies come along with me for a brief (15 minutes) stop at the OSU Cardinal course. Wanted to check out the price tag on some of the items in the pro shop. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Once I saw those, I reminded my daughter that my birthday was coming up in August! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

We had dinner on Saturday night at Buca deBeppi (sp?) downtown. WOW! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif What fun and good food! Sunday night we hit the Fish Market out near Dublin. That was great too!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The German Village area is one of the most unique areas of town isn't it? Some strange characters walking in the German Village area )</font>

I love that area, but I watched people all over. I find it fascinating, and very entertaining. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif