Hydrostat Transmission Question

[norcal]

<font color="red"> </font> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hi norcal,
Was at the Kubota dealer this past Sat and noticed even in gear the unti was rolling backward down a slight incline. This was w/ the engine running and midrange selected foot off the pedal. I always thought the transmission would hold but I guess not. So I asked the dealer and he was able to push the tractor around by hand even in gear engine running! That was surprising. So I think unless something goes very wrong you should be able to move it.
jimg )</font>

More misinformation? According to the dealer, if I was on a hill, even a 20-30 degree pitch hill, and had the tractor running, hydro trans in gear but not pressing either forward or reverse pedals -he said that the tractor would not move or it would move very, very slowly down the hill. Per Jimg's experience, Im not so sure...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color="blue">More misinformation? According to the dealer, if I was on a hill, even a 20-30 degree pitch hill, and had the tractor running, hydro trans in gear but not pressing either forward or reverse pedals -he said that the tractor would not move or it would move very, very slowly down the hill. Per Jimg's experience, Im not so sure... </font>

That is exactly my experience with my Kubota B2910. If it wants to drift on a hill, I just touch the directional pedal slightly, in the up direction, and that seem to just about stop it dead.

There is no way that my tractor, if in gear, with the engine running, could be pushed from what I have seen...

 

[TresCrows]

"Wow! Just trying to understand GST and HST. Apologies if I upset anyone. Have a nice day... "

Gosh, you have upset no one at all, hang around here on TBN and I will show you how to /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Please, stay, and join in.
My question back to the dealer would not be about his erroneous statement about not being able to move a Hydro tractor if the transmission breaks but instead I would ask when the last time it was that one broke. These Hydro Kubotas--and that is all I know about is Kubotas---simply do not break so he is trying to worry you about something that is nonexistent. Also, with the exception of the BX, I think most larger Kubota Hydros have a clutch which is used to engage the PTOs and also engages the driveline. With the clutch depressed it will move. I think he may be confused with real tractors vs little tractor styled riding mowers that have the little spring loaded lever on the back you can pull out to roll the tractor freely maybe?? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. J

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( would not move or it would move very, very slowly down the hill )</font>

That's consistent with my experience with my Kubotas. On a steep hill, they would roll downhill, but very, very slowly.

 

[Richard]

*The guy was just a poorly informed salesman*

Interestingly enough... I called a local Kubota dealer a year or so ago (was a while after the L-48 came out, which was the topic of call)

He absolutely and clearly informed me that the L-48 had a removable loader... (not bucket, but loader).

I just agreed, said that was wonderful.

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Interestingly enough... I called a local Kubota dealer a year or so ago (was a while after the L-48 came out, which was the topic of call)
He absolutely and clearly informed me that the L-48 had a removable loader... (not bucket, but loader). )</font>

Hmmm. When I was doing the rounds a few months back, I went to the MF/Mahindra folks down the road to look at and talk about the Korean built Mahindras. The salesman absolutely insisted that all Mahindras were made in India.

The same salesman took my number and promised to call me back as soon as the model I was interested in arrived. He never did. The owner later told me he had to let the guy go.

SnowRidge

 

[GlennT]

Pacesetter3000: I have a large riding lawnmower with a Kohler engine and a Peerless hydro transmission/differential. This transmission works the same as yours in that there is a lever under the seat that you're supposed to move if you want to freewheel the mower. As you mentioned, this lever doesn't seem to do anything. The mower freewheels easily regardless of where the lever is positioned. I move it when I'm supposed to because I was brought up to follow instructions , but I really wonder if it's necessary.

 

[19th_VA]

What about what's ailing my 'bota ? This was admittedly unusual but it does seem like a situation where a hydrostatic transmission got stuck. Not the same situation as the dealer erroneously described but...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I wondered when someone was going to remember that one. Also the statement that Bota's do not break, sounds like another salesmans statement to me. Not trying to tick anyone off, that's just they way it read to me. Every brand breaks sometimes, even an Abrams Tank /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> As you mentioned, this lever doesn't seem to do anything. The mower freewheels easily regardless of where the lever is positioned. </font>

Just because it freewheels easily doesn't mean you aren't damaging it. The lever might disengage the pump. If you are turning the pump over with the wheels, it might not be getting lubrication.

 

[TresCrows]

"I wondered when someone was going to remember that one. Also the statement that Bota's do not break, sounds like another salesmans statement to me. Not trying to tick anyone off, that's just they way it read to me. Every brand breaks sometimes, even an Abrams Tank"

Now see Norcal, what did I tell ya and see how effortlessly I do it.
Well, I don't know anything about Internationals or whathaya but I will stick with what I said about Kubotas. "Never" is not never in a million years, never is like in that the likelyhood of the hydro on a Kubota Hydro tractor "breaking" (whatever that might be) or getting stuck (what kinda stuck?) is along the lines of earth altering meteors striking the earth and wipeing out a country. Meteorites strike the earth/atmosphere by the zillions every day but only the occasional big event /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif so my use of "never" would be in that sense.
Norcal, I think you can buy a Kubota Hydro or even some other brand if you must with reasonable confidence that it will give you many years of service. Really, this has been argued and even some internet fist fights have broken out over it and the consensus is some (most--the vast majority) love Hydros and find them very--very--very reliable. A few like gear units because it was good enough for grandpa and so it is OK with them and that is fine because there are DEFINITLY reasons why gear tractors are needed and useful.
You see I am not TBN PC, I suggest you will be happiest with a Hydro tractor and I suggest that you make that purchase a Kubota and not worry about the transmission breaking anytime soon. Anything can happen, a big rock out of the sky might smit us all or even Planet X but we don't worry about such things because they are in the hands of GOD. Don't worry, any of the name brand hydro units will serve you well /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. J

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What about what's ailing my 'bota ? This was admittedly unusual but it does seem like a situation where a hydrostatic transmission got stuck. Not the same situation as the dealer erroneously described but... )</font>

Barring a catastrophic failure such as the real axle or
differential seizing, the cause of this type of problem in
a Kubota HST would most likely be the mechanical (gear)
transmission cannot be shifted into neutral. When in
neutral the hydraulic motor is of no consequence.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm having fun following this thread. Good job by all. I really have nothing to add, since I am one of those Neanderthal's that prefers a clutch & tranny over a hydro for _most_ uses. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But that is for my use - doesn't bother me what others use.

--->Paul

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Yep Rambler I guess I am a primitive too. I prefer the mechanical connection for the drive train as opposed to hydraulic. Of course I do draft work with my tractor and I have yet to see a hydro that will last as long under draft work conditions as a good old clutch/gear tranny combo. I do like the hydro's for light mowing and loader work, they are much easier to use and will spoil you quickly.