HST vs GST?

[rk246]

Hello, A few questions about these two transmissions, I am now trying to decide between the two, For those of you with one or the other or both, can you tell me likes/dislikes, advantages/disadvantages, I live on a very hilly piece of property, I will be doing some loader work, with lots of tilling mowing, discing brush clearing etc.

Thanks for the help
Ryan

 

[aesanders]

I've used both and actually prefer the GST. And for your applications, it would probably be better. Just find a gear and go. Clutch work is very minimal on the GST. You do not have to clutch to put it in gear or change directions. Instead of using the hydro pedal to go in reverse you simply pull a lever back. Most larger backhoes like Case and John Deere use a very similar transmission setup to the GST. Both are good though with the HST being slightly easier to use. However, with your ground work, the multiple gears of the GST might be a better choice.

 

[SkyPup]

I have both and prefer the GST. The only time HST is preferable for me is for mowing.

The 12 speed GST gives much better performance and more choices than the HST setup for all other applications.

 

[Jarrett]

It's been a couple years since I tried the GST so my memory may be a little foggy, but how do you stop? IIRC you have to pull the gear lever to neutral to slow down and stop. Is that correct?

 

[jmc]

Never tried a Kubota HST but another brand I tried felt like there was sand in the transmission. (pump vibration felt thru the joystick?) Don't think I could get used to that feel. Anyway, I bought the GST for the shuttle feature, 12 speeds plus another 12 speeds with the creeper option, and mainly, its nice to have a clutch to dump when things start to go wrong.

Its all personal preference and HST has its advatages tool. Ideally, you could find a dealer that has both and a pile of dirt out back to play in.

John

 

[_RaT_]

For general purpose work, the HST is tough to be beat. On hills the HST is superb, for tilling, GST cannot come close to matching the control of HST. When drilling post holes, the HST simply cannot be beat on a conventional tractor. For loader work, regardless of what I am on, I am always faster with HST. For tight quarters work, HST offers control like no other transmission I have used. Where GST or any manual transmission would be an advantage is with very tough pulling loads. I would prefer it for a box scraper when using it for ripping. For mowing and most loader work, your going to find it tough to beat HST. Kubotas HST is still in my opinion, the best made. Smooth and the quietest. It takes a little getting accustom to operating but once you do, it is really a great asset. I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, all hills here, my dealer sells HST far and above over any of the manuals be they GST or standard. I was concerned about a "new" fangled transmission 6 years ago but am happy to say HST has worked just flawlessly. Rat...

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Hi Thom, how goes it? Got that hurricane damage all cleaned up? I have a feeling you do, and are all ready for the next go 'round in '06.

Ok, here we go with a question that I'm going to ask that has the potential for eliciting negative responses, absent an understanding of where I'm coming from; namely, a desire to gather useable facts and empirical evidence, devoid of passion.

Here goes: I notice that the hydro you have is on your Massey, not on either of the Kubotas. Now I am not saying that Kubota hydros are easier to use, more functional, or just plain better than those of any other manufacturer. I might be tempted to say that from what I have heard and read that they are probably one of the most reliable. And it might be possible that the feather-step system makes Kubota hydros easier to control, and therefore that much more usable and productive, but I just don't know. That is why I'm asking. As someone mentioned in that thread on B7610 oil/brand, there ARE some things that can be determined to be factual; i.e. based on observations, measurements, testimonials, real-life experiences, good sound scientific principles, and whatever other means we have at our disposal to try to figure out which end is up.

SO ... I'm just wondering if you've ever, or how much have you, operated a Kubota HST on a machine of similar size to the ones being talked about here, how they might have compared to the Massey hydro ... just basically wondering whether or not you would prefer a Kubota GST to a Kubota HST.

It's just that time and time again I've heard a consensus that unless you're going to be haying or plowing all day, a Kubota HST, if it's available in the machine you're considering, is awfully tough to beat. When I saw your post, I was expecting you to recommend the HST, was a little surprised that you didn't, checked your bio again (recommended reading), and noticed that the Massey had the hydro.

Again, please no flames anyone. I'm just an inquisitive guy with no agenda other than trying to find my way through this amazing and very complex material world which we find ourselves visiting, and hopefully helping others to do the same.

I hope that all who read them can approach my questions or comments in the spirit I have described, and can take them for what they are, and not feel that I am attacking them or their choices in life.

Thanks, John D.

**********************

For those wondering, "what is up with this guy?", I just inadvertantly triggered some heated discussion in another thread, and just wanted to make it clear that that is never my intention.

 

[SkyPup]

My main problem with the HST is being limited to only three ranges, Range 1 for utra low speed heavy power applications, Range 2 for medium speed medium power, and Range 3 for high speed low power applications. Having to come to a complete stop to shift between any of the three ranges is also a hassle.

The ability to choose precisely between twelve speeds (24 with creeper option) on the GSTs (and start out from stop in any gear from 1-10, with only 11 & 12 gear acting like the HST's 3rd range) is a major benefit. Utilizing the GST, normally all I ever touch is the shuttle shift for F-N-R, or switch gears for speed increase or decrease, the clutch is rarely used.

Also, the ability to control the power output of the engine with the throttle is enhanced with the GST, giving much more control and fuel economy than the HST, which has the throttle set at higher rpms all the time to operate. This is wasteful of fuel when that power is not needed.

I don't notice any difference between the operation of MF Hydro and the Kubota's either, both about the same setup powerwise and noisewise.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Thanks Thom, great answer. I know of many people who love the GST, and the similar "PowerReverser" on the Deeres. When I was researching my tractor purchase, I drove a friend's JD 5320 with that tranny, and he loves it. So did I. I ended up with hydro, and I'm really glad I did, for all the tight quarters I encounter working in peoples' back yards, having to avoid all sorts of obstacles while carrying lots of heavy loads. I've said to myself many a time how incredibly glad I am not to have to shift back and forth between F-R as I jockey around into tight spots, or have to turn around with many little back-and-forth movements. (Again, this is just me talking about MY uses and needs).

But your points about fuel economy and wider range of gear choices/engine speeds in those gears (do you use the foot accelerator a lot? - ignorant here) were new and valuable info to me.

The hydro really does shine though when dealing with very heavy loads in precarious situations, where the precise control of ground speed is a blessing, and adds to safety while reducing my heart rate. And it's great to have your tractor stop in its tracks just by lifting your foot.

I spend 90% of my time in M range, 5% each in H and L. Man, the 5030 really does pull in L, just amazing, even with the turfs. I run out of power in H real fast with any kind of load, but that's to be expected.

Thanks a lot for the input, VERY helpful.

Take care, John

PS What's up with that infected Canadian duck from a couple of weeks ago - is that a bad sign? (Bird-flu question - Thom's specialty is the Molecular Biology of Viruses).

 

[SkyPup]

I agree, the Hydro is great for shuffling around in tight places with heavy loads, but so is the GST in lower gears too.

I enjoy using the foot throttle with the GST, instead of maintaining high rpm with HST at constant throttle all the time. The only time with the GST I use the cruise control to maintain throttle is grading many miles of roads or mowing many acres of land.

Having the HST stop when you lift your foot from the pedal is a good thing, although with many hours on the clock, you'll have to keep adjusting the settings to keep it that way as it ages.

I shot a couple of nice Mallards, Wood Ducks, Blue and Green Wing teal over Thanksgiving and have enjoyed eating them without worry from HN51. Hemagluttin Type 5 has no history during the last 150 years of being highly virulent to human beings, due to the fact that the H5 flu subtype hemagluttinating glycoproteins do not exist on human red blood cells, making it difficult to pass between humans (although HN51 does have a 50%+ mortality amoung humans who do contract it). Since the early 1800's, the repeating pattern of H2, H3, and the H1 subtypes have cause all the major outbreaks for the human populations.

See Science Volume 310, 18 November 2005, Pages 1112-1113 for a simple review.