HST plus vs HST : Worth it alone?

[tpetty]

In another thread, a person had stated that they wouldn't consider a Deere, or any tractor that didn't have the HST plus transmission -- that it is so superior, even a regular Kubota HST shouldn't be on my list of potential models.

I realize this thought is probably hyperbole to a degree. I know plenty of people are happy with their L4400, MX5100, Deere, etc. I've watched the Kubota videos.

My question is for those of you with experience with both. If you have had a tractor with a regular HST and also experience with the newer HST+, how much difference is there REALLY for routine (and admittedly what will be light/moderate usage.) Is it truly going to make my life so much better that that feature ALONE would be worth giving up 10 HP. (For example, the L3940 and MX5100) are similar priced, but 10 HP different, and the MX doesn't have the plus.)

 

[amigauser]

I think all of the "M" series Kubotas use a geared drivetrain not HST.

I have had both. I have owned a BX, B3030 and currently a GL3240. It is nice having basically six gear ranges (two in each hydro range). Times when you might have needed low range on other tractors can be done in the mid range. Some of the other added functions like stall gaurd help a lot with things like loader work (whch is what I primarily use mine for). Deere also offers a similar anti-stall option but I do not recall what they call it.

 

[tpetty]

Both the MX4700 and MX5100 can be had with HST. Maybe this is recent.

 

[TripleR]

The MX is really more of an older model Grand L than an M and as mentioned is available with HST.

 

[nybirdman]

I had a L3130 with HST,now a L4240 with HST+ and yes I prefer the HST+,I run in medium range most of the time and just go up or down as needed.Not a deal breaker but it is a very nice system.

 

[My Hoe]

I had a L3130 with HST,now a L4240 with HST+ and yes I prefer the HST+,I run in medium range most of the time and just go up or down as needed.Not a deal breaker but it is a very nice system.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what IS "HST+"?

And while we're at it, what is the difference (if any, other than marketing and semantics) between an "HST" and an "HSD", as in the Kubota B3030HSDCC?

Thanks,

My Hoe.

P.S.: Is this a short enough post for those who find my posts too long to read, but not too long comment on, solely about their length?

 

[k0ua]

Sorry to be so ignorant, but what IS "HST+"?

And while we're at it, what is the difference (if any, other than marketing and semantics) between an "HST" and an "HSD", as in the Kubota B3030HSDCC?

Thanks,

My Hoe.

P.S.: Is this a short enough post for those who find my posts too long to read, but not too long comment on, solely about their length?

Here you go. all you ever wanted to know about HST+ and then some


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzO_-LCd838]Kubota HST-Plus Transmission - YouTube[/ame]


James K0UA

 

[PHILIP8N]

Test drive and decide for yourself! The GrandL HST+ is sweet. Depends on what you NEED and what you WANT. Philip.

 

[crazyal]

First off let me say if you don't have it you'll probably never miss it. That being said for loader work it's almost a must. When driving into a pile of dirt to move you simply push the lever into "turtle" and it's like shifting down a gear without even letting off the HST pedal and coming to a stop to shift. If it takes you 5 loads to move a pile it could mean stopping 10 times to shift into low, dig, then shift back to M to drive to where you want the load.

I use it while grading the driveway. If the tractor starts to load down pulling the grader up the hill the stall guard kicks in and shifts down seamlessly. While snow blowing if I get into a big drift it'll shift down to prevent the tractor from stalling, again seamlessly.

I have a shuttle shift backhoe and I'm always shifting between first and second gear whenever I'm doing loader work. For occasional use it's no big deal but over a day it adds up. It's just a matter of time before the other top tier tractors offer a system like it.

 

[kcender]

I find the HDS[hydro dual speed] is probably the most useful feature on my tractor especially for FEL work.After having it I think it would be frustrating to use a hydrostatic tractor without it.I wish my BX had it as well.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have/had several HSTs in BXs and Bs. Had a L3240HST+ and it was OK for my uses which wasn't often. I was/am used to picking between the L, M or H with throttle set and letting the pedal do the rest so there was a bit of getting used to the HST+. The reving up with the pedal was "different" but good. As I said, it was nice having all of the different options that it presented but for my limited use it would not be a deal breaker. If I had used it more I'm sure I would appreciate it more. I'd pick HST+ over "plain" HST but wouldn't let that choice stop me from getting a "plain" HST.
Now the choice between HST and geared with a FEL is no choice to me, no geared again after my one purchase of a geared tractor. HST or HST+ only for me.:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

I have/had several HSTs in BXs and Bs. Had a L3240HST+ and it was OK for my uses which wasn't often. I was/am used to picking between the L, M or H with throttle set and letting the pedal do the rest so there was a bit of getting used to the HST+. The reving up with the pedal was "different" but good. As I said, it was nice having all of the different options that it presented but for my limited use it would not be a deal breaker. If I had used it more I'm sure I would appreciate it more. I'd pick HST+ over "plain" HST but wouldn't let that choice stop me from getting a "plain" HST.
Now the choice between HST and geared with a FEL is no choice to me, no geared again after my one purchase of a geared tractor. HST or HST+ only for me.:thumbsup:

John, as you know I am a proponet for HST equipped tractors for most homeowners tractors, but I was wondering what specificley you do not like about your latest purchase of the geared tractor.. If I remember correctly it does not have a FEL, negating one of the best reasons to get a hydro equipped tractor, I though you were using it for plowing and was wondering why you don't care for it.

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

After looking at tractors and really being impressed with the HST+, I decided to order a L4240 HSTC. A used L5030 showed up on the lot and I bought it instead. I really do like the HST+, but it was not a deal breaker for me.

 

[cougar21300]

I had an L5030 for a couple of hardworking years, and then traded up to an L5240. Even though it is only a 2 hp difference and nearly an identical tractor, the power difference is absolutely ENORMOUS. I've built about 3/4 of a mile of roads on a soft New Hampshire slope using very heavy materials (3-6 ledgepack topped with 1" finish ledgepack. Generally I run my machines at about 16-1700 rpm for loader work and don't use the auto throttle of the newer HST+. With the L5030 I had to run uphill in midrange. The L5240 easily runs up that same hill in high range, patially due to the large midrange torque increase as the turbo spools up, and partially due to being able to split the high range.
On top of that you have the ability to use auto throttle advance, but that another subject again... Is the HST plus worth it? Absolutely!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

John, as you know I am a proponet for HST equipped tractors for most homeowners tractors, but I was wondering what specificley you do not like about your latest purchase of the geared tractor.. If I remember correctly it does not have a FEL, negating one of the best reasons to get a hydro equipped tractor, I though you were using it for plowing and was wondering why you don't care for it.

James K0UA

First, after so many HSTs that stop when you let up on the pedal a tractor that doesn't stop when you let off caused me to hit the end of one of my rental property structures. I was surprised to say the least.:shocked: OK was almost stopped so the idea of also putting in the clutch and maybe hitting the brake pedal was some "new" learning. Didn't really damage anything but could have if it had been a person instead of a bldg.
Second, when I've picked the wrong speed (to fast or to slow), have to stop, oops, put in the clutch, change gears and then go again. Sometimes turning at the end of a short plowed row at the same speed as plowing isn't right so more clutch and gear selecting and clutch releasing. Now with the tiller and mostly rotary mower you have to push in the clutch to change gears and then the tiller/mower slows/ stops and using the foot throttle to get it going again. Nope, it's not the machine, it's me (like you tell the wrong girlfriend) Gear is not for me. If I was in N Dakota where one row takes a day or two to reach the end and then turn and spend a day or two coming back geared would be fine but short work with plow and tiller/rotary mower with a geared tractor to me isn't much different than trying to do FEL work with a geared tractor. Clutching stops PTO I guess is one of the biggest issues.
I wanted to like it but I can't!:ashamed: I'll keep it for awhile as long as I've got the BX25 for my 95% of the time use.
I've had two other tractors that I rarely used because of "issues" with them and glad I traded them very shortly after getting them and got back to enjoying using their replacements.
I like tractoring and hope other people do to. If most people are not enjoying it, then they may need to evaluate why and if it's the fault of the tractor they have they may need to trade tractors. I sort of like the B2320 geared but I'd like it alot more if it was HST.:thumbsup: I don't dislike it enough to trade "today" but there are more tomorrows.

 

[My Hoe]

Here you go. all you ever wanted to know about HST+ and then some


Kubota HST-Plus Transmission - YouTube


James K0UA

James,

Thanks, man!

I really like the "Auto Throttle Advance," and have always been kind of surprised that these tractors (and even the B's and BX's) haven't already had this feature (which I didn't know existed, but thought it should) didn't already have it. (Maybe I just see tractors too much through my "automotive lens" of experience, you know?).

I also do not like excessive noise--so, I like that as you back off of the treadle pedal, as you fill your bucket, or whatever, the engine can slow down.

I even liked the "adjustable response-level mode" or whatever they called it--the thing that quickens or slows the response time to the operator's treadle pedal input. Woods backhoes (8' and up, IIRC) have a similar function, in that they have an adjustable swing speed.

I like "adjustable," be it involving seats (like Ductape's new seat, in another thread) or in hydraulics, throttles, etc....

Thanks for the video--may I ask--did you Google that, or navigate through Kubota's site, to find it? The reason I ask is, I'd like to find more such videos, explaining other tractor functions, myself, without bothering others or possibly "hi-jacking" a thread.

Thanks--MUCH appreciated!

My Hoe

 

[k0ua]

James,

Thanks, man!

I really like the "Auto Throttle Advance," and have always been kind of surprised that these tractors (and even the B's and BX's) haven't already had this feature (which I didn't know existed, but thought it should) didn't already have it. (Maybe I just see tractors too much through my "automotive lens" of experience, you know?).

I also do not like excessive noise--so, I like that as you back off of the treadle pedal, as you fill your bucket, or whatever, the engine can slow down.

I even liked the "adjustable response-level mode" or whatever they called it--the thing that quickens or slows the response time to the operator's treadle pedal input. Woods backhoes (8' and up, IIRC) have a similar function, in that they have an adjustable swing speed.

I like "adjustable," be it involving seats (like Ductape's new seat, in another thread) or in hydraulics, throttles, etc....

Thanks for the video--may I ask--did you Google that, or navigate through Kubota's site, to find it? The reason I ask is, I'd like to find more such videos, explaining other tractor functions, myself, without bothering others or possibly "hi-jacking" a thread.

Thanks--MUCH appreciated!

My Hoe

That video was made by a dealer. I cannot remember precisely when I first saw it, but knowing of its existance it was easy to search for on youtube. There are many dealer vids but many are heavily weighted to favor a particular brand, and as such are near worthless. There is another good one dealing with how to remove Kubota front end loaders and backhoes on the BX series. Just use the search function on youtube. Glad you enjoyed the vid.. take care

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

First, after so many HSTs that stop when you let up on the pedal a tractor that doesn't stop when you let off caused me to hit the end of one of my rental property structures. I was surprised to say the least.:shocked: OK was almost stopped so the idea of also putting in the clutch and maybe hitting the brake pedal was some "new" learning. Didn't really damage anything but could have if it had been a person instead of a bldg.
Second, when I've picked the wrong speed (to fast or to slow), have to stop, oops, put in the clutch, change gears and then go again. Sometimes turning at the end of a short plowed row at the same speed as plowing isn't right so more clutch and gear selecting and clutch releasing. Now with the tiller and mostly rotary mower you have to push in the clutch to change gears and then the tiller/mower slows/ stops and using the foot throttle to get it going again. Nope, it's not the machine, it's me (like you tell the wrong girlfriend) Gear is not for me. If I was in N Dakota where one row takes a day or two to reach the end and then turn and spend a day or two coming back geared would be fine but short work with plow and tiller/rotary mower with a geared tractor to me isn't much different than trying to do FEL work with a geared tractor. Clutching stops PTO I guess is one of the biggest issues.
I wanted to like it but I can't!:ashamed: I'll keep it for awhile as long as I've got the BX25 for my 95% of the time use.
I've had two other tractors that I rarely used because of "issues" with them and glad I traded them very shortly after getting them and got back to enjoying using their replacements.
I like tractoring and hope other people do to. If most people are not enjoying it, then they may need to evaluate why and if it's the fault of the tractor they have they may need to trade tractors. I sort of like the B2320 geared but I'd like it alot more if it was HST.:thumbsup: I don't dislike it enough to trade "today" but there are more tomorrows.

Well John, I guess that about explains it. I had a B7500DT and used it for 8 years and got along OK with it. I used it for mowing and Loader work. Yes the PTO stopping when you change direction was not a good thing. Some of the older geared tractors have a 2 stage clutch so that you push the clutch partially down and it stops the tractor but leave the PTO running. But overall, yes I like the Hydro best for everything.

James K0UA

 

[DK35vince]

Well John, I guess that about explains it. I had a B7500DT and used it for 8 years and got along OK with it. I used it for mowing and Loader work. Yes the PTO stopping when you change direction was not a good thing. Some of the older geared tractors have a 2 stage clutch so that you push the clutch partially down and it stops the tractor but leave the PTO running. But overall, yes I like the Hydro best for everything.

James K0UA

Most of the newer gear drive tractors have a 2 stage clutch. (like mentioned above).

Or independant PTO. The PTO is turn on by a switch and remains on till the switch is turned off (makes no differance if the clutch is in or out)

 

[Furu]

Here you go. all you ever wanted to know about HST+ and then some

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzO_-LCd838

James K0UA

After viewing this I came away with impression that the pedal which is both forward and reverse is not capable of feathering the speed. I thought that a little depression of the pedal would give you very little forward speed and then incrementally more speed as you depressed farther. The video seemed to imply that it was either forward or reverse with no variable speed control as a function of how much depression you applied. Is that true?