How to start HST

[Waffles]

My manual says to shift high low range to neutral before starting.

If the HST is working correctly and the swash plate is in neutral is there any harm in leaving range selector in gear?

Is this in the manual for human safety or tractor protection?

 

[ptsg]

There is no harm in leaving it in gear but keep in mind that it may have a switch on the Range lever that may prevent you from starting the tractor with it still in gear.

 

[Waffles]

There is no safety switch, as I often forget to shift back to neutral since I like to park in gear.

 

[Roadworthy]

My Kubota manual says to put the range selector into neutral before starting. It doesn't seem to matter whether I do or not. As long as I have the clutch depressed it will start.

 

[Tinhack]

It's most likely for safety. Many will start the tractor then get off and do something else while it warms up. What's to keep the tractor from taking off if someone (child or whoever) presses a pedal? That could mean instant death of serious injury. Manuals typically don't state procedures without having a reason. More often than not, it's a safety reason.

Best to get into the habit of following the manual.

 

[hube2]

I don't have the same type of tractor, but mine will not start if not in neutral. It will also not start unless the parking break is on if my butt is not in the seat. Also having a pto on or engaged will prevent starting. If everything is off, in neutral and the parking break on I can start it standing next to it, which is generally where I am when I start it since I'm going to leave it run at least 10 minutes to warm up before I do anything with it anyway, no sense getting on just to get back off again.

Yes, until you get used to it some of the safety features can seam like a PITA, but once you get used to them you don't even think about it and it all becomes natural. I used to have a small JD lawn tractor, there was a little yellow button on in that you had to press if the PTO was on to go in reverse. Took me all summer to stop mashing my thumb into the dash of the new one every time I went in reverse.

 

[Wagtail]

My 4105 (HST) will definitely not start unless they range selector is in neutral and the parking brake is engaged.

On mine, there is a 'sweet spot' for neutral... on either side of that selector position (High/Low) there are positions where it seems like it's in neutral but it's not. My tractor will not start until I've put it in the correct position.

This is to prevent the tractor moving in case the HST pedal has not returned to it's neutral position.

 

[neilkingent]

my xr4150h will start in gear, without the brake on, and while I'm standing on the ground beside it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

When I had my MT125, I never shifted the range to neutral. Put 220 hard hours on it, never a problem at all!

 

[Thomas]

My Kubota booklet also say's to leave in neutral when setting for period (days) of time keep pressure off.