The HST or the Direct Trans - mainly mowing, but...?

[jyoutz]

I have and use a gear drive tractor and an HST tractor, and the ability to vary engine speed relative to PTO speed is really the only difference that is of any consequence to me. There's much to like about a geared tractor with hydraulic shuttle, and even more to like about a tractor with Kubota's KVT.

@jyoutz, it's probably not an apples to apples comparison, but on paper the M6060 and MX6000 have the same or very similar hp, but in actual use they feel completely different. The M is way heavier but also feels like it has way more power than the MX, even when both were stock. Working on a hot day the difference is even more evident.

I like the MX and would buy it again (or maybe an L6060 instead) and it's hard to argue against that generalization that most people find HST tractors easier to live with day in and day out. They are easier to operate, but that doesn't mean that geared tractors are hard to operate. The both have their place.

I had a geared tractor for over 20 years before buying my MX HST. I would never buy another compact tractor with a gear transmission. A hydraulic shuttle gear transmission is a whole different thing, but they are only available on utility size tractors, not a compact tractor like the OP is considering.

 

[PaulL]

I think the whole loader work comparison is overstated when comparing HSTs to gear drive tractors, particularly if the gear drive tractor has an hydraulic shuttle. I've done tons of loader work with the M6060 and it's just not an issue. I had a job recently loading a horse manure pile into a dump truck and it was no big deal using the M6060. When there's dirt to move, the difference in transmission isn't part of my decision matrix when I chose the M or the MX for the job.

As I mentioned, the PTO speed vs. engine speed is the big one when it comes to actually using these tractors.

This is true as compared to a shuttle, although I don't love shuttles either.

But in a 25 - 39hp Kubota, there aren't any shuttles to be had. It's HST or old school gear drive so far as I can tell.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

This is true as compared to a shuttle, although I don't love shuttles either.

But in a 25 - 39hp Kubota, there aren't any shuttles to be had. It's HST or old school gear drive so far as I can tell.

I agree with your point. Technically, there is still GlideShift available on a couple of models in this range, I think. Not that I'm recommending it for OP.

 

[tacotime]

All good advice, thanks. Certainly sounds like it's a very marginal proposition to even briefly lift a 1000 lb bale even a foot or two off the ground, which is typically all I need. Does that about sum it up?

 

[jyoutz]

All good advice, thanks. Certainly sounds like it's a very marginal proposition to even briefly lift a 1000 lb bale even a foot or two off the ground, which is typically all I need. Does that about sum it up?

Yes. You need to be thinking about a larger machine like a MX

 

[jimh406]

I'd look at a L3560LE or L4060LE. Buy either with the 805 loader and HST. The loaders are rated in Kilos. In other words, a 805 is 805 x 2.2 in lbs. Or go for a lot more HP with a MX.

Gears work well for mowing, but the conventional wisdom is HST is easier using a loader. Sure, there are exceptions.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Op, good day.

I think you have got some good advice already.

to me couple things stand out:
1. Your description of use doesn’t have much detail…I think it might be help to separate a couple things:
A. Transmission for mowing
B. Size of machine weight of what you want to lift or move

regarding A, I don’t think there is a wrong choice and my personal preference is geared…however I am 2/3 HST. To me HsT is helpful with repeated direction changes (loader work and maybe negotiating around trees, fence posts or corners, and loader work)and delicate/finesse work around obstacles. When I mow an open pasture with my MX, I wish it were geared from the heat and I don’t care for the throttle lock / braking…I like has the throttle lock, but I forget it’s on when I need to brake. Anyway if putting in gear and driving for hours, HST is not better than a geared machine in that sense…if mowing around a lot of obstacles and speed changes or direction changes then HsT starts to make sense. (More than a couple acres of pasture and I’d be thinking about geared JMHO, not understanding your other uses)

B. As far as lifting, I think helpful to consider you want to lift with…the loader to lift a bale or off the 3pt…those are two different sized machines to be able to safely lift a bale off the ground and transport it. If going with a smaller machine I think lifting off the rear is the simpler option. If truly want loader lift capability, time to pay the piper. (Weight is what gets the work done and keeps the rubber side down…ballasting makes a huge difference whether go big or small)

if recommend go drive an HST and see if you like the pedals and then a geared and drive around some stuff and see which you prefer.

short of more description of your planned use and set up where using, very hard to make recommendation.

I not sure any of that helps, but I hope you have a great demo experience if you can find one and select correct machine for your specific uses.

happy shopping.

 

[chim]

My tractor spends over 90% of its time using a finish mower. The rest is loader work or snow removal. After two years with my first (gear) tractor around 1990, the next four have been HST's.

The current Kubota has some features my previous ones did not. There's a HI and LO in each of the three ranges that can be changed on the fly that is very handy, for example, when part of the mowing pattern includes an uphill section that would bog it down.

It also has an autothrottle with two positions that can be selected to maintain a specific engine/PTO speedwhile varying the tractor speed in one setting. The other position varies the engine speed and tractor speed together while using the HST pedal, much like a car accelerator.

Then there's cruise control that I almost never use. The old Ford and maybe one of the previous Kubota tractors had cruise control that didn't get used. Well, I do recall one time that I (mis)used it on the Ford. Of course it isn't something I'd recommend - or even try again now that I'm 32 years older and a lot less nimble. While mowing at a neighbor's place there were two very low-hanging trees. The Ford never had a ROPS so the steering wheel was the highest part of the tractor. Simple enough. No seat safety. Set the cruise control at a low speed, aim the tractor, hop off, run around the tree and hop back on when the tractor came out the other side.