I owned a L3830 GST for a little over 6 years before trading for a L4240 HST cab. I had a blast with the gst and could move dirt and do other bucket work nearly as efficient as with the hst. They both have their place. It took a couple weeks to stop reaching for the forward / reverse lever but after that its all good. All in all I can say if the GST was offered with the cab I most likely would have went with that because I was so familiar with it. The HST + is slick though and I like it.
Dirt Moving What's the hype with HST?
- Thread starter Ducati07
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There were no adjustment issues with the many, many pieces of golf course equipment pieces I've ran over the last 25 years. They are just different from the tractors with mowing attachments you have. We ran very specific mowers for each cut of grass that were all different animals. There were a few that didn't buck but for the most part...most did. Especially going down a hill.
Buckgnarly
Platinum Member
I think I am one of about 3 on here that prefer gear, but for me it was simplicity and cost. I also like the control and simplicity of 3 pedals, all 6 of our vehicles and tractor are clutched machines!
I just did about 6 hrs of back and forth herring bone style clearing of snowbanks on driveways, did not even notice it. Once you get used to it, it's just as fast as HST in my opinion.
I just did about 6 hrs of back and forth herring bone style clearing of snowbanks on driveways, did not even notice it. Once you get used to it, it's just as fast as HST in my opinion.
David_Kb7uns
Veteran Member
The Kubota GST has shuttle shifting and like they say is like no other transmission out there. It is a computer controlled shifted and clutched 12 speed synchronized gear transmission. The gear selector connects to the ECU unit only. You may shift using the master clutch or the forward/reverse wet hydraulic clutches.
David Kb7uns
corl
Silver Member
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- 2013 Kubota MX5100 HST, 1989 Kubota F2100
I find the HST is easier to mow with as well. I have a 7 foot FM that goes easily around orchard trees and along the stream bank where a gear tractor that I use to have required a lot more time and effort. Yes power may be down as quoted but just buy a more powerful HST. My 50 hp HST climbs hills easily and does FEL work at half throttle. I for one am glad it stops quickly especially when I'm trimming along a stream bank. Faster than pushing in the clutch and jamming on the brake with your foot bouncing on the brake pedal just before you go over the cliff. You can creep up to things and keep your blood pressure in tact.
"Can someone please explain why they are so sought after?" ducati07
most of my vehicles have always been geared. my M series tractor is the same w/a hydraulic shuttle that suits my repetitive tasks perfectly. have never owned a hst tractor, so i am not nearly as qualified to respond as many members on this thread....having said that, we are fortunate that the leading tractor manu. have so much diversity to offer the market. it really does come down to personal preference. if you are serious about the gear vs hst wars, do a search here! more than what you will want to know. as an afterthought (hope i'm not stepping on toes here!) my feeling is that this forum consists of members up there in years. (myself included) some are unfortunately handicapped. others weekend warriors. the hst fits perfectly in those cases. how many years do you have left in your legs? getting up there in age? that would be my consideration. @ 66 i feel fortunate to still be running & actively maintaining my mt farm. so the gear/hst is not an issue for me. but i would be the last one to say go gear for it's own sake. it could well be that if you are using backhoe etc commercially, hst would be the way to go. imho
most of my vehicles have always been geared. my M series tractor is the same w/a hydraulic shuttle that suits my repetitive tasks perfectly. have never owned a hst tractor, so i am not nearly as qualified to respond as many members on this thread....having said that, we are fortunate that the leading tractor manu. have so much diversity to offer the market. it really does come down to personal preference. if you are serious about the gear vs hst wars, do a search here! more than what you will want to know. as an afterthought (hope i'm not stepping on toes here!) my feeling is that this forum consists of members up there in years. (myself included) some are unfortunately handicapped. others weekend warriors. the hst fits perfectly in those cases. how many years do you have left in your legs? getting up there in age? that would be my consideration. @ 66 i feel fortunate to still be running & actively maintaining my mt farm. so the gear/hst is not an issue for me. but i would be the last one to say go gear for it's own sake. it could well be that if you are using backhoe etc commercially, hst would be the way to go. imho
flusher
Super Member
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- Sacramento
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- Getting old. Sold the ranch. Sold the tractors. Moved back to the city.
HST is nice to have for repetitive forward/reverse work--scooping material with the front end loader (FEL). Gear tranny is nice for field work (plowing, discing, raking, spraying, baling, etc) where you run forward for long distances in a straight line and rarely have to go into reverse. I've used both, a 2005 Kubota B7510HST and my present tractor, a 2008 Mahindra 5525 with a partially synchronized gear tranny. No problems with either--it's easy to adapt to the peculiarities of either of these trannies.
Good luck.
Good luck.
I do a lot with pallet forks which requires me to stand and run the peddle to see what I am doing. That would be impossible with a clutch. That being said a hydraulic shuttle tranny is a pleasure to operate for repetitive loader work.
FatTire
Veteran Member
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- Oct 2, 2007
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- 1,369
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- Colorado
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- Kubota L5740, Unimog 404 w/ snowblower, Deere 620i UTV, MX5100 (sold)
I've never used any golf course equipment, but I can't match the jerky motion described with my HST. I love the HST. With the rear blade I can back up to within a few inches of an overhead door. With my Unimog I become "concerned" when backing up when I get to within a few FEET of a door or building. The difference is huge. The mog has very low gears, so its not the gearing at issue, it is the chance for making a mistake and the precision of the HST operation.
Gary Fowler
Super Star Member
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- 2009 Kubota RTV 900, 2009 Kubota B26 TLB & 2010 model LS P7010
I cant comment specifically on the GS in the L39(never use one) vs the HST in the L45 but I do have the HST in my B26. I like being able to leave the tractor in gear when digging with the backhoe and then (with aid of a rod stored on the backhoe) reach the HST pedal and move the tractor any amount needed from the reversed seat. I don't think you can do that with the glideshift transmission but I could be wrong.
My HST while bringing you to a stop if you suddenly remove the pressure from the pedal, doesn't snap you forward, rather it comes to a stop similar to braking with a gear drive. What I really like about the HST is that you can control all the forward and back motion and speed with on foot which leaves both hands available to steer and use the other hydraulic levers. When reversing with my LS (gear drive) it takes one hand (and one foot) to move the reverser and lets not forget about braking also so there goes the other foot, one hand to raise the FEL, one hand to lift the 3 PH, shucks forgot I only have 2 hands so something has to wait on the other to be performed AND forget about steering at that time (4th hand option). While all this can be done at almost once with a lot of practice, it is just so much easier with HST.
My suggestion is to operate both tractors and decide for your self if the extra money is worth it to get HST over GST, particular attention given to moving the tractor when using the back hoe. It does take a cane/stick or other apparatus to reach the HST pedal to move the tractor with HST but it can be safely moved and steered from the backhoe seat.
NOW my Kubota RTV will give you a windshield hugging experience if you abruptly remove your foot from the accelerator as it will lock the wheels into a stop so it is a new learning experience to drive it.
My HST while bringing you to a stop if you suddenly remove the pressure from the pedal, doesn't snap you forward, rather it comes to a stop similar to braking with a gear drive. What I really like about the HST is that you can control all the forward and back motion and speed with on foot which leaves both hands available to steer and use the other hydraulic levers. When reversing with my LS (gear drive) it takes one hand (and one foot) to move the reverser and lets not forget about braking also so there goes the other foot, one hand to raise the FEL, one hand to lift the 3 PH, shucks forgot I only have 2 hands so something has to wait on the other to be performed AND forget about steering at that time (4th hand option). While all this can be done at almost once with a lot of practice, it is just so much easier with HST.
My suggestion is to operate both tractors and decide for your self if the extra money is worth it to get HST over GST, particular attention given to moving the tractor when using the back hoe. It does take a cane/stick or other apparatus to reach the HST pedal to move the tractor with HST but it can be safely moved and steered from the backhoe seat.
NOW my Kubota RTV will give you a windshield hugging experience if you abruptly remove your foot from the accelerator as it will lock the wheels into a stop so it is a new learning experience to drive it.
