Clutch necessary for shifting on hydrostatic transmission?

[Nicfin36]

I have found a couple of threads talking about whether or not to use a clutch when changing between ranges on a hydrostatic transmission. It seems, some say it is not necessary. Others have said it is necessary and cite the manual for their specific tractor. I recently bought a L2501 and have operated it a total of about 10 minutes at most. In that time, I shifted back and forth from Low to Medium range a time or two. I used the clutch because I was not sure if I needed to or not and had not read the manual yet since the tractor was just delivered. When I did look in the manual, it seems the manual does not indicate the clutch has to be used, but the manual is worded goofy IMO and I know it also seems to unnecessarily state to do things for the sake of safety.

So, I was just curious if it matters or not.

 

[curly84]

They recommend it

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[Missouribound]

It is not necessary with a hydostatic transmission. The main purpose of the clutch is to engage the PTO. Think of it as an automatic transmission on your vehicle....no clutch needed to change between gears.
That being said.....look in your manual under "Selecting travel speed" or "Range gear lever". The manual tells you to shift only when completely stopped and the clutch pedal depressed.
The dealer told me it wasn't necessary. I guess it's more up to you and what you prefer to do.

 

[edritchey]

I guess it depends if you have a clutch LOL the new MX we got is hydro without a clutch.

 

[curly84]

When I bought my B7800 HST, at the dealership I tried to shift it from medium to high without the clutch and the dealer said I shouldn't do that, but maybe the newer one's are different, I would check the owners manual It should tell you

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[Nicfin36]

I searched online just a bit ago and found two sites talking about Kubota transmission types. To me, it is worded in a way that sounds like it was taken from Kubota literature. Quote from one site:

Kubota HST Transmission

Kubota hydrostatic transmissions are available on tractors and subtractors up to 60hp. This Kubota transmission type uses a rocker pedal to offer control to the driver. If you want to go forward, you push the pedal forward; conversely, you push it back to go backward.

There is no need to use the clutch to switch between forward and reverse gear, although you will still need to clutch to move between the high, medium, and low gear ranges.

A Kubota hydrostatic transmission farm tractor is a good option if you have never used a tractor before. The operation is similar to what you would find in a combine or Kubota skid-steer. The disadvantage of Kubota HST transmission is that it reduces the amount of horsepower you can get from the engine.

I guess I'll just use the clutch to be on the safe side. My gut says it would be OK not to, but I will play it safe.

 

[mikester]

I find the shifts are way easier when you clutch first. Some good tips in the operators manual.

 

[SDT]

I have found a couple of threads talking about whether or not to use a clutch when changing between ranges on a hydrostatic transmission. It seems, some say it is not necessary. Others have said it is necessary and cite the manual for their specific tractor. I recently bought a L2501 and have operated it a total of about 10 minutes at most. In that time, I shifted back and forth from Low to Medium range a time or two. I used the clutch because I was not sure if I needed to or not and had not read the manual yet since the tractor was just delivered. When I did look in the manual, it seems the manual does not indicate the clutch has to be used, but the manual is worded goofy IMO and I know it also seems to unnecessarily state to do things for the sake of safety.

So, I was just curious if it matters or not.

Good practice but not necessary if all is well.

Many newer HST tractors do not have manual clutches.

SDT

 

[D2Cat]

On my L4240 HST the clutch is required for the engine to turn over to start.

The manual also states (in reference to the range gear shift lever), "Depress the clutch pedal, wait for a moment and then shift the lever."

Also says to "Depress the clutch pedal before engaging the front wheel drive lever."

I'd suggest reading the manual, and following it.

 

[Digger Dager]

Nicfin,

Something to keep in mind when shifting between ranges you should come to a complete stop before shifting, or you will grind the gears.

Digger

 

[Nicfin36]

OK, I did look in the manual again to make sure I was reading correctly. As Missouribound said, it is in the section, Range Gear Shift Lever. Quoting the manual:

"You can shift the range gear only when the tractor is completely stopped and the speed-control-pedal is in the neutral position."

No mention of the clutch. Only in the trouble shifting portion after that does it mention the clutch.

In that part it states to avoid damage the tractor must be fully stopped using the brake pedals and to not force the Range lever. The only time is mentions the clutch is if the shift lever is difficult to move, to slightly depress the speed (foot) pedal first, let off the speed pedal and then press the clutch, wait a moment and then move the shift lever.

So, according to my manual, the clutch is not necessary the way it is worded.

 

[Nicfin36]

I called the dealer today. He said shifting with the clutch is not necessary.

 

[greeno]

I could shift my Ford Escort without the clutch. Just because you can doesn’t mean u should.


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[Missouribound]

Many newer HST tractors do not have manual clutches.
SDT

Funny you mentioned that. My B2320 is a 2016 and has the clutch.
A friend just bought a B2301 and it does NOT have the clutch.
I have a question for anyone who doesn't have the clutch......How do you engage the PTO smoothly?

 

[Missouribound]

I could shift my Ford Escort without the clutch. Just because you can doesn’t mean u should.
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But your Escort had a manual transmission....not an automatic.
Apples and oranges.

 

[troverman]

Funny you mentioned that. My B2320 is a 2016 and has the clutch.
A friend just bought a B2301 and it does NOT have the clutch.
I have a question for anyone who doesn't have the clutch......How do you engage the PTO smoothly?

Kubota has eliminated the clutch pedal on HST tractors that have electric-over-hydraulics PTO engagement. This would include the standard B series and the MX series. The standard L series still has a manual PTO and thus requires a clutch.

That said, I can assure you that the clutch is not needed to change HST ranges. Forget 'recommended' or 'smoother changes.' There is absolutely zero to gain by using the clutch to change ranges. I have both an MX and L2501 HST machines.

 

[Nicfin36]

That said, I can assure you that the clutch is not needed to change HST ranges. Forget 'recommended' or 'smoother changes.' There is absolutely zero to gain by using the clutch to change ranges. I have both an MX and L2501 HST machines.

Yeah, I have used my tractor just a little bit since my initial post. I changed ranges without the clutch multiple times, fully stopped, of course. Shifting was flawless. No problems.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Think about where the clutch is located in the HST driveline. Draw a mental picture.

Engine---XclutchX---hydrostatic motor---range selector---4x4 selector
...................|---PTO

The clutch is depressed when starting in order to isolate the engine from the hydrostatic drive and especially from the PTO. The range selector is downstream of the hydrostatic drive. If the hydrostatic drive is not turning (ie fwd/reverse pedals not depressed) then the input shaft to the range selector is not turning. The caveat around changing range is that it must be done when the wheels aren't turning and when the hydrostatic drive is not turning. The clutch has no role to play in achieving this operational condition.

This is the same deal with switching between 2wd and 4wd - no clutch required.

Now for some blasphemy... I've found that two of my three B-series tractors move more easily from 2wd to 4wd when the tractor is moving. The third tractor requires me to sometimes "bump" the fwd/reverse control to get the gears properly aligned so I can engage 4wd. This third tractor has a lot more tire wear so I'm assuming there is some very slight difference in relative wheel speeds, thus the 4wd coupling needs just a tiny bit of help to get aligned. No matter how you cut it, the shifting of transmission range and 2wd/4wd is so darned slick on these machines, especially since one doesn't need to use one's left foot at all to do it.

 

[Missouribound]

The clutch is depressed when starting in order to isolate the engine from the hydrostatic drive and especially from the PTO..

I have never depressed the clutch when starting my tractor....never.
Until you step on the "go" pedal there is no connection between the engine and the hydrostatic drive.

 

[Oliver]

I have a question for anyone who doesn't have the clutch......How do you engage the PTO smoothly?

I really couldn't on my B2650 which had no clutch and just an on/off button to engage/disengage the PTO. All I could do was to the lower rpm to minimize the abrupt engagement. I actually preferred having the clutch on my older B7500.