How many trouble free Hours on your HST ??

[Superduper]

I see the which transmission (gear or hydro) issue being discussed again. What I don't see much of, however, is actual experience regarding HST reliability and failure. Therefore, I was wondering if some of you "heavy" users can share:

(1) How many Hours on your HST
(2) How many Trouble free hours on your HST
(3) Whether you've ever experience major trouble/failure with HST
(4) If yes, what was the cost (or dealer listed flat/rate hours) associated with the repair.

I think actual numbers is an objective way of looking at it and speaks louder than "I think this or that." Most folks seem to have a fear of the hydro and associated serviceability because it is foreign or new to them, although 20 years ago, I also heard the same fears about new cars with computers, complicated sensors, and fuel injection.

By analyzing numbers, we can get a good idea on exactly how reliable are the hydros as compared to gear trannys.

 

[Dmace]

185 hours in 1.5 years on my CK20 HST with no problems to date.

 

[DDT]

I have always used the Hydros. My present tractor has over 1100hrs on it. The hydro are more soild than some belive. I farm 6 ac. and do a lot of hard pulling ground ingaging equipment. I have had other tractor with more hrs on them.
I am not afraid of them, all the combines for years use hydro trannys as well. They go a long time before they are rebuilt. If your going to farm only I would go gear, any thing elese I would go hydro.
My 2 cents, not all will agree with me.

 

[hwp]

Something over 5000 hours with no problems.

 

[Volfandt]

I've got 220 touble free hrs x 2 yrs on my HST.

 

[Botabill]

850 hours on a Kubota BX 1800 18 HP tractor. No problems.

 

[jwstewar]

I'm a little over 700 hours in 4 years on my NH TC24D. I do a lot of mowing with the MMM, rotary cutting, and dirt work with the loader & box blade. Also use a PHD with little "creeps" to get the auger in the right place. I also use a 60" tiller behind it. It just keeps plugging along - and it better keep doing it.

 

[lawn_king]

Our first machine Kubota B7500 had 700 hours Business use, year round, no problems at time of trade in, new machine, B3030 HSDC 170 trouble free hours so far!

 

[TwinWillows]

205 hours NH TC40DA. So far no problems & I hope it stays that way

 

[RobertN]

My '86 Kubota B8200 has 1025 hours now; I got it with 400 or so 8 years ago. Works like a charm. I keep the fluids and filters clean, and change per recomendations in the manual.

Cement truck, skid steers etc have used hydros for years. Don't see the issue.