HST vs. Partially Synchronized in an MX5400

[MacGyver135]

Hello All,
I'm in the market to purchase my first tractor and I'm hoping for some sage advice. I have some experience on an MX4800 (rental) but otherwise, I'm as green as a John Deere (if I'm allowed to mention them on here)
I am 99% certain I'll go with an MX series unit, MX5400 (both DT and HST options) is what I've "built up" on the Kubota online tool. Tractor would be outfitted with front end loader and BH92 backhoe and a box scraper to get started. Other implements that will follow: tiller, flail mower, post hole auger.
I'm working on 10 acres, mainly grassland. 40/60 split between flat/sloped. Sloped area varies between 15 - 25 percent grade.
I've talked with folks locally that swear by the HST's ease of use for varied terrain and back & forth work with the loader and scraper. But there are "old school" folks that lament the lack of "full power" of the HST for general grading and pulling. One guy told me "you test the difference between them by pulling up to a wall, or other immovable object and then try to spin the tires". I can't think of a need for me to do that but I understand his "thinking" behind that challenge.
I know ultimately it will come down to what works best for my situation but I'm open to hearing opinions and learn from the experience of others.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[SidecarFlip]

If you plan on using any ground engagement implements in the future you want a gear drive for anything else the Polish Automatic (HST) will suffice.

 

[BigG]

The HST does use up some hp but the benefits far out weigh the costs. There is a reason you can not hardly by a manual shift car anymore. The coal mine that my father worked at went to HST on everything they could as soon as they could. HSTs saved the company money in the long run.

As Flip said unless you are doing hours of turn plowing or other such work the HST is your friend.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I do a mix of work with my tractors but all are HST models, they are just so convenient, I can live with the small loss in HP for the easy and productive use. In expectation of HP loss I just selected the most power I could buy at the time in that series / size of tractor, hence I have a L3901 and a MX5800.

I think the whole ATV / UTV / Tractor and equipment market either have or are moving to HST / non clutch and gearbox solutions to make equipment easier and more convenient for the users and operators.
Whatever you buy I suggest you have 4 x 4, I believe they do still sell a gear driven 2wd MX5400.

 

[SDT]

Hello All,
I'm in the market to purchase my first tractor and I'm hoping for some sage advice. I have some experience on an MX4800 (rental) but otherwise, I'm as green as a John Deere (if I'm allowed to mention them on here)
I am 99% certain I'll go with an MX series unit, MX5400 (both DT and HST options) is what I've "built up" on the Kubota online tool. Tractor would be outfitted with front end loader and BH92 backhoe and a box scraper to get started. Other implements that will follow: tiller, flail mower, post hole auger.
I'm working on 10 acres, mainly grassland. 40/60 split between flat/sloped. Sloped area varies between 15 - 25 percent grade.
I've talked with folks locally that swear by the HST's ease of use for varied terrain and back & forth work with the loader and scraper. But there are "old school" folks that lament the lack of "full power" of the HST for general grading and pulling. One guy told me "you test the difference between them by pulling up to a wall, or other immovable object and then try to spin the tires". I can't think of a need for me to do that but I understand his "thinking" behind that challenge.
I know ultimately it will come down to what works best for my situation but I'm open to hearing opinions and learn from the experience of others.
Thanks,
Jim

As previously noted or implied by earlier posters, HST transmissions are wonderfully convenient if rather inefficient. HST transmissions are also significantly more expensive than gear type transmissions. I will avoid service related issues at this time.

Accordingly, HST transmissions have become very popular for use in CUTs and SCUTs while remaining uncommon in tractors above 50 or so PTO HP.

Do you plan to plow (who does) or disc (who does, regularly)? If so, you may be better suited with a gear type transmission (you may also be better suited with a JD, NH, AGCO, etc. tractor, but that is the subject of another thread).

Based upon the information that you have provided, I am confident that you would be better served with a HST transmission.

SDT

 

[PaulL]

When talking about pulling applications, the question is whether you can spin the wheels. A gear driven tractor will out pull an HST of the same HP. If you buy a slightly higher HP HST, it will also spin the wheels on the same terrain in the same range. In the small tractors (BX, B, LX) they're well known to have more power than traction - I'm pretty sure all those models will spin their wheels on flat concrete, in all their HP variants. In a muddy field, more so.

HST is more convenient. Convenience you use every day. A gear drive may pull a little harder in a handful of very specific applications. As SDT says, they're applications that many people would do infrequently or contract out. If you happen to do that application a lot, get a gear drive. None of your uses sound like the kind of uses that you'd run out of HP doing, and lots of them sound like uses that an HST would pay dividends in. Try backing your tractor on an angle up the hill to get your posthole auger exactly where you want it, or to creep backwards as you drill it in because you're on a funny angle so as it goes in the hole's pulling crooked. HST - dead easy in low. Gear drive......ugh.

 

[notforhire]

I bush hog a small field and wooded area. Because there are lots of in and outs, between trees, etc. I do a lot of backing up and cutting in reverse.
The HST allows me to go as slow as I want in reverse with better control than with my previous gear transmission. I had to constantly change gear ranges rather than slipping the clutch.
For mowing open fields the gear tractor was great, but for constant speed/direction changes you can't beat HST.

 

[NHSleddog]

Another thought, if you will ever be working around people, the HTS has a lot more control and will be safer.

 

[MacGyver135]

Thank you all for your insight and advice. HST it is. Now... time to build a tractor!

 

[mikester]

If you can, try you can get a cruise control for the HST to make jobs like grass cutting easier. That’s one feature I wish my tractor had that I miss on my geared tractors.

 

[Randyisscott]

Hello, Check the prices online for what the magic price is. Usually, when I buy a car, I look around at some of the larger online dealers and find what I want. I look at the online prices from them and then I compare them to the prices at the dealership near me. I also check out Industrial Automation Equipment Market Research Reports sites. Email multiple dealers about the specific truck you want, search around for the best price, take the best price to your local dealer and tell them this is what you want and this is the price you are willing to pay. Part of getting the best deal is making sure they know you will walk away.

 

[pokey1416]

2nd the cruise control. You would also benefit from the HST+ with hi-lo. No matter what implement you’re using it’s always nice to be able to seamlessly transition from the two ranges with the column paddle. Not sure if it’s offered on anything but the Grand L series?

 

[pokey1416]

...and since we’re helping you build.

QA for both the FEL and BH92 buckets. I opted for the HD bucket and cutting edge and it has been great. Visit https://www.specialtyrepairscustommods.com/ for lots of aftermarket stuff if you go with an L.

 

[pokey1416]

Heck I just saw the dates on the OP post - disregard my two previous. I need to get my eyes checked