Buying Advice HST or Gears?

[Automobilist]

Looking at a few different units. Particularly a NH TC30 with loader & backhoe. Its a "gear" model. Being unfamiliar with these small tractors, I don't know what real difference tjat represents. Clutch as in clutch pedal, or auto/centrifugal clutch? Stop to change gears like on a lawn tractor? Price is good @ $12500 asking...

 

[PsRumors]

A small gear driven tractor is just that, clutch (with a pedal that gets depressed when stopping and eased out when you start moving) and gears (must be stopped or going slow to change by first pushing in the clutch)

The TC30/is a great tractor but I like hydo. Had it on my 4410 and now on my 1025r, it's easy and convenient

 

[motownbrowne]

You should go test drive a tractor similar in size to that machine that's hydrostatic so you can have something to compare it to. That does seem to be a nice price, but hydro sure is a nice feature.

I can't find info on that particular transmission other than that it has 9 forward and 3 reverse gears. It's possible some of the gears are synchronized, which would eliminate the need to stop for each shift, but I don't know. Also, since there's only three gears for reverse, it seems unlikely that it's a shuttle-type transmission which allows you to very easily switch between forward and reverse, which is something you'll do pretty often. Like I said, though,I can't find any details easily, so I could be wrong. It's possible that you can shuttle between one of the forward and reverse gears in each range, even though you don't have an equivalent reverse gear for each forward gear like in most shuttle transmissions.

Personally, I love my HST tractors. It's been said on here before that unless you know you want a geared tractor, that a hydrostatic model is probably a better choice.

 

[aarolar]

I prefer a shuttle shift tractor over HST personally it's the best of both worlds to me however there is no way I would go back to a standard shift trans especially with a loader.

 

[chuck172]

I really can't use the gear drives anymore. Knee problems. I have the hst. I don't like the fact that the engine has to run at high rpms with the hst. I understand that the new hydro's idle down and rev with the throttle. I'm hoping someones comes out with a kit to make this modification.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, clutch as in clutch pedal, it has 9 forward and 3 reverse.

We have several tractors, but I now only use HST or hydraulic shuttle; left leg can't handle a foot clutch anymore.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

can we get some more info on what your intended uses will be? If you plan on doing alot of loader work, the HST is nice. I have a Kubota L3400 with it and can be very quick while messing around with the loader. I can almost outpace the hydraulics loading up my big manure spreader from the manure pile. My bigger tractors are a power shift(96) and power reverser(83) with loader. For ground engaging work, you couldn't give me an HST. The power shift is fantastic for field work since I can upshift or down shift without touching the clutch.

 

[s219]

Really need to know what you plan to use the tractor for. In some cases, gear is just fine and preferable. In other cases, HST is a much better option.

 

[nybirdman]

We have one HST tractor and one gear;I prefer the HST and my son the gear.HST will be easier for new operators and loader work for sure.

 

[jeff9366]

Looking at a NH TC30 with loader & backhoe. Its a "gear" model. Price is good @ $12500 asking...

It is a good price.

I think this is an example of a seller having to deep discount a compact tractor with a gear transmission in order to sell it.

A tractor/loader/backhoe combination without HST is a rare combination. Few people can operate clutch and gear equipment proficiently today.

My local Kubota dealer tells me that BX and B size tractors with gears come in regularly for clutch rebuilds. People buy gear for lower initial cost but each clutch rebuild is $1,200 with transportation.

If you are clutch proficient and loader work is not central to your needs, I would inspect it carefully, then make an offer.

Tractors have limited braking on slopes. You need to be extra cautious operating a clutch and gear tractor on slopes to prevent rolling backward then rolling over.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I really can't use the gear drives anymore. Knee problems. I have the hst. I don't like the fact that the engine has to run at high rpms with the hst. I understand that the new hydro's idle down and rev with the throttle. I'm hoping someones comes out with a kit to make this modification.

I think that is a misconception that you have to have full throttle to operate and HST. I rarely run my Kubota B26 at any higher RPM than I need to achieve the speed that I want when fully depressing the HST pedal. Full throttle is 2600 but I rarely run more than 2000 and unless I need the power, 1500 rpm works just as good for the HST. As long as you have full pressure on the charge pump for the HST, you will get acceptable performance.

 

[Qapla]

We have a gear tractor for pulling with the 3-point - we use it with the plows, disc, and related farming equipment.

WE also have a NH TC40D HST with FEL/BH. I have used a clutch loader and shuttle shift with loader. I will stick with HST for loader work.

If the main use will be FEL/BH - I would go with the HST .... if most work will be "breaking ground" with the 3-point, I would go with gears.

 

[s219]

I think that is a misconception that you have to have full throttle to operate and HST. I rarely run my Kubota B26 at any higher RPM than I need to achieve the speed that I want when fully depressing the HST pedal. Full throttle is 2600 but I rarely run more than 2000 and unless I need the power, 1500 rpm works just as good for the HST. As long as you have full pressure on the charge pump for the HST, you will get acceptable performance.

Agree, for most work I run at 2000rpm and below most of the time. That is enough for the HST and loader work.

 

[Automobilist]

Good stuff! Obviously, I'm new to this tractor thing...
Most work will be clearing small (under 3" trees), brush, etc on our five acres. Building paths & driveways, trenching a bit too. I expect a lot of loader use, and pulling plants/trees out of the ground. I have a nice Husqvarna HST mower, which works very well for it's intended uses. The Case 350 dozer that came with our property has three speeds, but no clutch pedal. I've got my hands and feet pretty busy just doing basic stuff on that machine!

 

[jeff9366]

You can dig out small (<3-1/2") softwood tree stumps with a TC30 tractor backhoe. You can scoop some plants out of the ground with the same backhoe. Larger stuff takes too much time.

FEL is best conceptualized as a powered wheelbarrow.

With the bulldozer as your primary clearing tool and a tractor-loader or tractor-loader-backhoe as your secondary clearing tool you are in Fat City.

 

[JerryK]

HST is also a plus if might be having other folks run your tractor that might be hard on a clutch/gear outfit..... my wife used to think the clutch was a speed control thing...

 

[5030]

I prefer a shuttle shift tractor over HST personally it's the best of both worlds to me however there is no way I would go back to a standard shift trans especially with a loader.

Exactly. A hydraulic shuttle combines the efficiency and low power loss of a geared transmission, with the operational attributes of a hydro. My big issue with a hydro is power loss to the drive wheels (no power loss to the PTO other than small parasitic losses). A hydro has substantial power loss to the drive train itself and a hydraulic shuttle is almost as convenient as a hydro. Yes a HS has 'clutch' pedal but the clutch pedal is really modulating a set of hydraulic valves that control the wet clutches. I very rarely use my clutch pedal except for range shifts.... but then, it's not really a clutch at all in the absolute sense of the word. No clutch to wear out and slip, no adjustments to speak of and the best part is you can go from forward to reverse with a lever and the HS will modulate the clutch packs for a smooth transition with no drive line snatch. I do it all the time. Great for loader work.

 

[varmint]

Lots of solid, experienced advice here! Having started with a gear drive, gotta stop completely to change gears type tractor (and doing a lot of loader work to clear deep snow) for 8 or 9 years, when I finally moved up into a larger HST tractor I realized I should have done just that many years before. The hydraulic shuttle shift trannys might be a great compromise, but I don't think they are prevalent in CUT tractors. You will see a lot of HST styles compared to SS. Anyway, have fun learning and buying!

 

[Sprinklerman]

I use a bx 24 and a NH 1925 , both are HST . I do landscape work , aeration , grading , snow , mowing , brush hogging etc. I love the HST , I couldnt imagine going back to a gear tractor . My left leg doesnt hurt at the end of the day.

 

[RoyJackson]

I prefer a shuttle shift tractor over HST personally it's the best of both worlds to me however there is no way I would go back to a standard shift trans especially with a loader.

Agree 100%...no power loss compared to a hydrostatic transmission (HST) and every bit as quick as a hydro.
I'm on my 2nd shuttleshift (Deere calls 'em a power-reverser) and I love it!