New to hydrostatic

[outdrmer]

I recently purchased a L 3901 Kubota tractor with the hydrostatic Transmission. Can someone tell me the do's and don'ts on operating the hydrostatic tractor, such as RPM'S, and when to use low, med and high range.

 

[jeff9366]

Have you read your L3901 Operator's Manual?

It is best to learn the do's and don'ts regarding your specific HST transmission from Kubota, the manufacturer, before seeking diverse OPINIONS here.


HST LINK: https://www.google.com/search?clien...tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

 

[davesl708]

You will love HST when you need to do a lot of start/stop or forward/reverse. Going a long way in straight lines not so much.
Medium to high rpms are best for the trans. Pushing harder on the pedal does not increase power but just speed. Backing off the pedal will increase power but be slower.
Use low for pushing/pulling, medium for lighter work or mowing short or thin grass. High for travel on flat ground.

 

[ovrszd]

I'll add this to Dave's excellent advice. Kubota's HST system is very durable. You aren't going to hurt it during the learning process. The tractor will quickly teach you the do's and don'ts.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, using it is your best teacher, you will need to run more RPMs than you may initially find comfortable with if you are use to bigger geared tractors. As mentioned less pedal gives you lower gearing which is often initially confusing.

I run PTO implements at the rated 540 rated RPM, for mine about 2550 and for other stuff, whatever RPM that gives me the best performance.

Any specific concerns you have, someone will know, so just ask.

Enjoy your new tractor.:thumbsup:

 

[oldpilgrim]

gotta disagree:

You will love HST when you need to do a lot of start/stop or forward/reverse. Going a long way in straight lines not so much.

you will love it all the time. Going a long way in straight lines means holding the pedal down while doing it.......sorta like holding the accelerator pedal down while driving a car. I never hear complaints about that.

Just remember not to press the pedal down when you think you need more power, but let up instead. It gets intuitive in no time.

 

[TerryR]

Going a long way in straight lines means holding the pedal down while doing it.......sorta like holding the accelerator pedal down while driving a car. I never hear complaints about that.

Really? Why do you have to hold the pedal down while doing field work? That's what a hand throttle is for. It's just as much a pain when driving a car on the open highway - that's why they have cruise control.

 

[ovrszd]

Really? Why do you have to hold the pedal down while doing field work? That's what a hand throttle is for. It's just as much a pain when driving a car on the open highway

The pilgrim is referring to the HST pedal. If the tractor doesn't have a cruise control system, the operator must hold constant pressure on the HST peddle to achieve movement. Kinda gets old after awhile. On a HST tractor the hand throttle only sets engine rpms, has nothing to do with movement.

 

[txdon]

Really? Why do you have to hold the pedal down while doing field work? That's what a hand throttle is for. It's just as much a pain when driving a car on the open highway

The pilgrim is referring to the HST pedal. If the tractor doesn't have a cruise control system, the operator must hold constant pressure on the HST peddle to achieve movement. Kinda gets old after awhile. On a HST tractor the hand throttle only sets engine rpms, has nothing to do with movement.

It is a "L" so it might have cruise control if it has a lever on the other side of L-M-H. It is actually the mechanical hand lever that controls the pedal.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Having used a hst tractor without 'cruise control' the field during hay season, I can attest to the pedal holding issue. It makes my knee hurt, the hst pedal has a much stronger spring tension than a vehicle accelerator pedal does, thus, knee pain for me. However, hst is great on our bx1800 for yard mowing.