Tractor…to HST or Gear

[joel2000]

Thanks guys for all the responses. Looks like hydrostat is what most are liking.
Just hard to change after running nothing but gear tractors all my life.
I’m gonna look into the shuttle shift stuff. Not sure if Kubota offers it in the compact line. Not interested in anything bigger.

 

[dhal22]

I’ve always been a single speed guy….

 

[Torn]

I’ve got a Kubota L3560 with HST, LA805 loader, grapple, bucket and I love it. The HST is great whenever I’m moving logs or debris and just set the cruise control when I’m mowing pastures. Had 5 tons of gravel delivered today and had it spread on the driveway in about 2.5 hours.

 

[joel2000]

Got to set in the cab and rip some rock with one of those back around ‘04-‘05.. E R Snell was putting the roads in a commercial track of land we were developing. Lotta rock so they brought the big boy in. I knew the operator well. I’ve run just about every dozer out there except that size…that is one BMF..

 

[joel2000]

I’ve got a Kubota L3560 with HST, LA805 loader, grapple, bucket and I love it. The HST is great whenever I’m moving logs or debris and just set the cruise control when I’m mowing pastures. Had 5 tons of gravel delivered today and had it spread on the driveway in about 2.5 hours.View attachment 9302590

How does cruise work on a HST? Does it lock the pedal some how or electronic or??

 

[Torn]

How does cruise work on a HST? Does it lock the pedal some how or electronic or??

It’s electronic and is on the dash and works like a car. Touch the brake and it disconnects. Makes mowing far more easier without having to keep your foot on the pedal.

 

[joel2000]

It’s electronic and is on the dash and works like a car. Touch the brake and it disconnects. Makes mowing far more easier without having to keep your foot on the pedal.
View attachment 9302665

That’s cool..had no idea. Mowing was a concern of mine on hydrostat. With gears of course just select the gear and set the throttle and steer.. was thinking it’d be a long day holding a pedal down.
Thanks for clarifying!

 

[GeauxLSU]

I had an L3310DT (manual) for almost 15 years. LOVED that tractor! Moved, sold it. After months of looking, recently found an L3800HST.
First two minutes on it I hated the HST.
After 5 minutes I was regretting having ever owned a manual. 😎
I do miss the creature comforts of the Grand L line though. 🫤

 

[basstracker89]

I used tractors all my life. Started on a 8 or 9n then Massey Ferguson diesel 165 and 230. All 2x4. Lots of shuttle work. The old machines always worked. Then a Bobcat 873 skid steer. Moves lots of material fast. But all that hydraulics does have it's problems. And a pain to work on. So when it came time to buy my own, I bought a New Holland TC30, 4x4 and manual. Runs great and drives great. Had that machine @ 25yrs. It's a budget tractor. The shifter is on the dash like a column shift. 3x9 gears. Only around 13mph top speed. The Massey is 2x3, I think. Top speed is @ 22mph. I looked at a Massey when I was looking. Liked it well, but @ $20k or more back then. And maybe a little large for what I needed. That ole Perkins is a great engine. Used back hoe and all kinds of other duties. Problem is, it's 50 miles to the closest dealer support at least at that time.
The New Holland had a 3yr warranty at the time. Fill the rear tires with antifreeze for extra traction. When moving material, weight is everything. A skid steer has much faster hydraulics than a tractor. But I much prefer going forward most of the time vs having to back up a lot with a skid steer.
I bought a farm tractor because it just works. I stayed away from the hydro because the ole tried and true manual is solid. No problems there. I bought a machine to last a lifetime. I don't like buying over and over, that just cost money. And with this new emissions crap, it's nothin but trouble. I get on a machine, I want to get the work done and not stop. The tractor is much more fuel efficient too. The quick release loader would be nice. Having the loader control attached to the loader takes it all off in one step. I like R4 tires as well. It'll do it all.
They don't make the TC30 anymore. But if you look hard enough, you can find a real gem for song of a price. I was looking at the new then used recently. After 25yrs I'd still pick another one of what I have. That says a lot. I just couldn't stand the new ones

 

[joel2000]

The tractors you’re talking about work you as hard as you work them. The newer stuff is easier on the old body and not as much trouble in the hydraulic dept as skid steers are. Skid steers take a lot more abuse than wheeled tractors do. Kubota has had HST in one form or another since ‘67. They pretty well have it down pat.

By the way.. thanks for the input too