HST pedal operation

Boyde · May 17, 2017

I have a Kubota L3130 TLB with 3 speed HST transmission. When operating a long distance (1/4 mi) on a smooth dirt road, carrying a load in the FEL, should I use LOW range and keep the HST pedal all the way to the floor or should I use MED range and press the HST pedal down about 1/2 way. What is better for the HST transmission?
Thanks,

nybirdman · May 17, 2017

I had a L3130 HST,no back-hoe.It may be a little under-powered with a hoe but on the road MED range should be o.k.,Low would be painfully slow(unless you have a "fragile" load in the bucket.As long as you are not lugging the motor you should be o.k.

Thomas · May 17, 2017

As nybirdman wrote,high range good for easy traveling not loaded...slow motion tractor ride.

Goose69 · May 17, 2017

I don't think either way matters, as far as being "better for the HST"
.. i listen to my engine, rather than worry about the HST, if for any reason it is bogging down, drop it down a gear range.
If your engine has the power to run in mid range, and you are comfortable with the speed. Run it in Mid range.

.. as a note with my hydro, when I was hauling full loads of wet heavy sand, I kept it in low range, as when I had it in mid range, I kept going faster than what I knew I should be going on the winding, hilly terrain I was operating on.

Boyde · May 17, 2017

I did not know if I was hurting the HST by keeping the pedal all the way to the floor in LOW range. But by the responses I guess it will not hurt anything.
Thanks

ericm979 · May 17, 2017

I forget where I read this but supposedly its better to floor the HST in a lower range than to have to barely tickle it in a higher range. Something about shearing the oil less. I'd need to read more hydrostatic transmission theory to know for sure.

Both of my tractors have complained if the range is too high. Either by making more whining noise from the HST (Kubota) or the HST pedal being stiff (Branson).

fatboycowen · May 18, 2017

Based on what I read, more hst pedal is better, as it runs more oil through the system, keeping things cooler. Very low oil flow (barely pressing the pedal, in too high gear) causes excessive heat in the oil.