Very slow geared tractor purchase

[bdward]

I'm looking to buy a utility tractor for planting seedlings in a nursery. I need a 3 point and pto operating at 540 rpm. The tractor will need to move very slow while maintaining pto speed and be able to operate at a slow set speed of 1/4-1/2 mph. I'm considering a Kubota L5030 with HST drive. In first gear with infinite speed control, will it maintain these slow speeds? I'll also need good 3-point lifting capacity to lift a heavy planter. Ideas and recommendations welcome. Thanks

 

[PaulL]

Does it need to operate at a constant speed (aka some sort of cruise control), or will it be fine for the driver to use their foot on the HST pedal for speed control?

Looks like the L5030 has a cruise control, and there's no suggestion of a minimum speed it can be set to. There are some reports that it's a bit fiddly to set though.

 

[Cglaza]

Sounds like a geared tractor is what you would need.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[majorwager]

Need the weight of planter to be compared the the tractor lift capacity X the depth of the implement which is likely greater than the given rating of 24 inches beyond the lower eyes.

The cruise control on the MX is mechanical and very crude and unreliable. Not sure if the L or grande L uses the same linkage.

Creeper gear sets usually not availability on these compact tractors.

With some fine tuning it may be possible to isolate a desired speed using the mechanical cruise function as provided.

Again, planter weight is the key element??

 

[SidecarFlip]

M M series has the 3 point capacity for any equitable sized planter and the creep gears (that I also have) allow speeds down to 1/10th of a MPH at rated rpm. IOW, at 2300 rpm you could get out and walk 2 times faster than the tractor is moving, maybe 3 times....

The 5030 will work too. I had one and the HST will allow sow speeds and cn be locked on via the cruise. Thing I don't like is the HST whine at slow speed.

 

[vic gerbasi]

I have an older L3300 with a GST You can select the gear for low speed and run the PtO at 540
This should do your chore as you want

 

[shootem604]

Find a grey market tractor with the third super low range? Apparently for rice paddy work.

 

[bdward]

Thanks for the responses. I like the infinite variability of an HST transmission but once the proper speed is found, it'd be nice to be able to lock in that fixed speed while maintaining 540 PTO revolutions. Creeper gear equipped tractors are hard to find. As to the 3-pt, my planter operates with guide wheels but have a lot of tail weight when lifted out of the ground. As long as the 3-pt lifts it up, I can add front weights to be able to make turns. In light of all this, what are your suggestions for a cost effective tractor that won't see a lot of use after planting. Thanks again

 

[bdward]

Also, If I find a used tractor with a HST transmission, what's the best way to check to make sure the transmission is working properly and not wore out or needing an overhaul? Most of my dealing will be done long distance and I won't be able to physically check them out. What questions or tests can I ask?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Also, If I find a used tractor with a HST transmission, what's the best way to check to make sure the transmission is working properly and not wore out or needing an overhaul? Most of my dealing will be done long distance and I won't be able to physically check them out. What questions or tests can I ask?

You do not want an HST for what you want to do.
It's going to run hot all the time.
It's going to be very hard to maintain a constant speed or even anything close.
It's going to be hard to match speed from row to row.

You would not be able to request any real test or info to insure that an HST is working properly, not without having a dealer or very competent mechanic with all the right test tools to go though it.

Look at a GST or a Geared tractor with a creeper gear.
It's the only way your going to get the PTO RPM's and the slow ground speeds.