Buying Advice HST or Gears?

Oldpath05 · Mar 24, 2016

"HST it is..."
Just to help you with the choice you made. My L3400 DT bought in 07, always had trouble being put in gear when it was warmed up, when new, push down clutch with tractor stopped, had to count to 30 seconds before it could be put in gear with out grinding, complain to Kubota, they said to add 2 more gal. of trans fluid to help slow the gears down, I added, now only have to count to 8.

Now at 800 hrs. my tractor is sticking IN gear, feels like the clutch is sticking to the pressure plate, not every time but alot, and when it's stuck in gear, I have hold the brake, and pop the clutch a few times to get it out of gear, but the motor runs great.

k0ua · Mar 24, 2016

Oldpath05 said:
"HST it is..."
Just to help you with the choice you made. My L3400 DT bought in 07, always had trouble being put in gear when it was warmed up, when new, push down clutch with tractor stopped, had to count to 30 seconds before it could be put in gear with out grinding, complain to Kubota, they said to add 2 more gal. of trans fluid to help slow the gears down, I added, now only have to count to 8.

Now at 800 hrs. my tractor is sticking IN gear, feels like the clutch is sticking to the pressure plate, not every time but alot, and when it's stuck in gear, I have hold the brake, and pop the clutch a few times to get it out of gear, but the motor runs great.

Never had a bit of trouble with the hydro tranny in my L3400hst

varmint · Mar 24, 2016

Nor I, with our L3400HST.

DK35vince · Mar 24, 2016

Never had an issue with my synchronized shuttle at 2000 hours.
Works nice, shifts nice.

ovrszd · Mar 24, 2016

DK35vince said:
Never had an issue with my synchronized shuttle at 2000 hours.
Works nice, shifts nice.

Replaced the original clutch in my 1984 Ford last Winter, according to the original owner. No work done on the transmission or mechanical shuttle..... Just tryin to keep the discussion going.....

Oldpath05 · Mar 24, 2016

k0ua said:
Never had a bit of trouble with the hydro tranny in my L3400hst

See how much better I made you feel after reading my post, :thumbsup:

ovrszd · Mar 24, 2016

James always feels good. And if he doesn't, you'll never know it.

murphy1244 · Mar 24, 2016

Well the next choice is to run Dino oil or synthetic oil?

R4s or Ags?

k0ua · Mar 24, 2016

murphy1244 said:
Well the next choice is to run Dino oil or synthetic oil?

R4s or Ags?

Oh no!:shocked:

Handloader109 · Mar 24, 2016

Hst, especially with what you are using it for..... I grew up using MF 85 and a super 90....propane burners. High and low ranges, low was a creep even in third (high) gear. So most of the time it was 1st or 2nd gear mowing or bushing, planting or harboring. If deep plowing then low 2nd or third. 90hp can tear up a bunch of stuff

But even young, a clutch was a pain..... I have a new Cabelas/Tym 25hp hst... Yes a baby. But I love the hst. Was mowing, 2000rpms in heavy deep grass./weeds. Flat and down hill easy, up hill I had to keep reved up.... For problem slow down by lifting my foot, speed up by pressing harder.... Easy. Was tilling up my garden spot this week. Hasn't been turned over in decades or ever. (dang rocky ground too) could so easily creeeeep if I wanted to on a pass or move on faster. Never over 2000rpms. Buy hst......

4570Man · Mar 24, 2016

For your intended use R4s will be better. I'm jealous of the little dozer.

wcampbell47 · Mar 25, 2016

Automobilist said:
Thanks for the advice, opinions, etc...
To me, the best analogy was the comment about flying a helicopter, in essence needing three hands. I can easily land a 767 in a 30 knot crosswind in the rain, at night, but helos scare the crap outta me.

My usage will be homeowner on five acres. Clearing small trees, brush, building paths, driveways, etc.

HST it is...

I picked up that bit of info on helicopters as both my boys were Apache pilots.

wolc123 · Mar 25, 2016

When the hydro-gear discussion comes up, I always bring up the letters "L & G", when it comes to where the hydro has the advantage over gear. This is easy to remember because "hydro is just another name for "liguid" which starts with "L" while gear starts with "G". For the Hydro: the advantages are enjoyed for Lawn-mowing, Loader work, Landscaping, Ladies, and Lazy folks. No disrespect intended on those last two, but most of the Ladies I know seem to prefer the hydros and gear definitely requires more effort on the operator's part, especially for those three tasks mentioned above. The gears do excel at Ground-engaging work however. Could that be because it starts with "G"? Most of the Gentleman I know also prefer the gears.

sdef · Mar 25, 2016

Automobilist said:
Thanks for the advice, opinions, etc...
To me, the best analogy was the comment about flying a helicopter, in essence needing three hands. I can easily land a 767 in a 30 knot crosswind in the rain, at night, but helos scare the crap outta me.

My usage will be homeowner on five acres. Clearing small trees, brush, building paths, driveways, etc.

HST it is...

I made the same choice several years ago for similar reasons, although the work I had to do was probably greater than yours. HST was a godsend and I have no regrets about the tractor nor any implements purchased.

I have not read the other posts. But if you are waffling between a couple different tractor types, pick the larger, heavier, more powerful option within your budget and 4WD is a must, along with a FEL. And fill the rear tires with fluid for extra weight. With a tractor, weight is of major importance for performance.

And acquire the heaviest implements within your budget. Example, in my hard clay/rock soil, I purchased a ROBB (rollover box blade) weighing 720# and 6' wide and many times wished for a 1100# unit I could have purchased. The typical TSC implement would have failed miserably at my place. However, a farmer friend has sandy loam soil and he can get by with the typical lightweight implements in most cases.

JerryK · Mar 25, 2016

murphy1244 said:
Well the next choice is to run Dino oil or synthetic oil?

R4s or Ags?

Murph, you done forgot Cab or open station.....

TractorGuy · Mar 25, 2016

Didn't think I would like HST till I bought one. So far the amount of switching from forward to reverse I've had to do has convinced me the HST is the ONLY way to go on a small machine. Larger machines with shuttle shift are second. I can't imagine owning another gear drive with clutch.

Automobilist · Mar 25, 2016

OK; I bought a nice used tractor with an HST.
Will run Delo, Rotella, etc. "traditional" oil in it.
Has R4 tires installed...

Thank you for the input, opinions, & knowledge...

Ted