Kubota HST Plus?

[Catfish Man]

How long has this technology been around?

Any known issues?

Who is running it and how many hours do you have on your machine?


thanks,

 

[nybirdman]

My tractor is a 2008 model(L4240) at least I purchased it in Jan.2008;has 485 hours with HST+ ,no problems.I like it a lot.

 

[Catfish Man]

My tractor is a 2008 model(L4240) at least I purchased it in Jan.2008;has 485 hours with HST+ ,no problems.I like it a lot.

Thanks L4240 is the one I'm considering, I really like it. I'm just nervous about all the electronic stuff, halfway wondering if I need to go with something simpler for longevity.

 

[cougar21300]

I have seen quite a few of them at the dealership I work at with 1500+ problem free hours and no problems. I also know of a customer that has 800 something on his and still hasn't done even one of the required 300 hour tranny oil changes, NOT recommended and the neglect will certainly cost him in the long run, but so far no problems. I have about 650 hours on my L5740 and love the tractor! I had a perfectly good L5030 before, but productiveity wise it doesn't hold a candle to the 5240. Where I formerly had to climb the half mile driveway from my pond in second range, I can now do it in third by just split shifting down on the steepest parts.

 

[Catfish Man]

Do you think the HST Plus is user friendly for new tractor operators?
Or does it create more confusion?

I have been on tractors my whole life, but my wife and son's will be using this tractor to clear snow while I'm away from work.

thanks for the replies

 

[GreenWannabe]

I would suggest you take them to the dealership and let them try it out, get the salesman to help instruct them and give them tips. They may decide fairly quickly if they will be able to use it or not.

 

[Catfish Man]

I would suggest you take them to the dealership and let them try it out, get the salesman to help instruct them and give them tips. They may decide fairly quickly if they will be able to use it or not.

The problem with that is the teenage boys are gonna be all over the one that has the most gadgets. They will have no problem driving it around the parking lot.

They both have very limited experience on a ford 1715 with a traditional transmission.

But when I'm not around and there is snow to be cleared, how are they gonna do on their own with all the HST plus options to choose from.

 

[nybirdman]

The beauty of the HST+ is you don't have to use it(if unfamilar).On my L4240 I do everyting in medium range,all but road travel.It's just a flick of the lever up and down.IF you start to bog;just go down a range.Very simple and I don't believe you can "hurt it".I sometimes use "stall guard" when moving dirt,but never use the "auto throttle".IMO the L4240 is a very good all around tractor.
I plow snow,roto-till,brush-hog,pull a two bottom plow,box-blade ect.and find the HST+ perfect for these tasks.
Picture when new.I now have a seven ft.Bush-Hog rear blade and a eight ft.FEL mounted snow blade.

 

[Catfish Man]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling better about it now.

I just needed to hear from some real world users.

Unless someone comes in with a killer price on something else, I'm going with the L4240

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I can't think of one thats been a problem.

 

[crazyal]

I wouldn't own a tractor without it. If i never had it I wouldn't miss it but now that I have used it there's no way I would go without. I don't think it's some massive computer controlled invention. For new users it actually makes it easier to use the tractor. You can turn on stall guard and leave it on (stays on even if you shut the tractor off then turn it back on) which will slow down the speed of the tractor automatically if it looks like you are going to stall the engine.

If I'm not mistaken Messick has some videos on their website showing how it works. But above all else I would go try it at the dealer and ask lots of questions. Then come back here and ask us about it's real world applications.

For example, fel work is made much easier. If you're moving a pile of dirt you'll most likely be in "M". When you get to the pile of dirt instead of stopping then dropping down to "L" to dig into the dirt you just keep moving and flick the H-DS lever without even letting up on the HST pedal and it shifts to low. As you back up with a bucket of dirt you flick the lever back and you're in "M".

I use it all the time. Often times I'll be using the tractor and for a short time want the precision that a lower gear offers, maybe working close to something, being able to do it without having to stop is great.

 

[JimP]

The Kubota HST+ is very simple to run. If you want all of the advantages they are there. Otherwise it can act like any other hydrostatic tranny. But after using them I bet you won't give them up. Just over 500 hours and no problems with any of the electronics on the grand l.

 

[RobertN]

What is HST+?

My previous Kubota was from 1986, so have not used this feature.

Is it anything like my current New Holland? I have a switch on the fender and one on the loader joystick; it basically is a high/low range switch in addition to my normal HST range selection. This function works great on the my TC40D.

 

[k0ua]

What is HST+?

My previous Kubota was from 1986, so have not used this feature.

Is it anything like my current New Holland? I have a switch on the fender and one on the loader joystick; it basically is a high/low range switch in addition to my normal HST range selection. This function works great on the my TC40D.

12 minutes of watching, and you will know all:

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

James K0UA

 

[crazyal]

What is HST+?

My previous Kubota was from 1986, so have not used this feature.

Is it anything like my current New Holland? I have a switch on the fender and one on the loader joystick; it basically is a high/low range switch in addition to my normal HST range selection. This function works great on the my TC40D.

Yes. I don't know if the NH has the option of having the tractor automatically shift down if it thinks the load is too much and will stall the engine or the auto throttle.

 

[Martian]

12 minutes of watching, and you will know all:


James K0UA

First time I'd seen that video, looks to be pretty useful some very useful features. Not questioning the features, just asking, but how well do they really work? Call me "old school" but my favorite tractor I own is my grandfathers Farmall Cub (inherited). Doesn't have any of the features, but it just works. I really like gear transmissions and though I'm pretty well bought into a HST for a compact, but don't try and put one in a large tractor. I guess my way of thinking is its just one more thing to go wrong. I don't know, never used it, so I don't know both sides to the story, I'm just asking.

 

[RobertN]

Mine is an '01; it does not automatically shift down. I do not know about the newer ones...

Yes. I don't know if the NH has the option of having the tractor automatically shift down if it thinks the load is too much and will stall the engine or the auto throttle.