Considering a L5030 HSTC

[Shawn T. W]

Since transmissions has been a big part of this thread ... I'm sure most any could work for my intended use ... Since I got my house paid off back in February, I've been researching tractors, one of the big reasons for joining this forum ... I'm quite fussy what I want to spend my money on ...

I had/have a few "requirements" NO computer/emissions, and large tires topped the list ... Also an "independent" PTO ... If gear drive, a "synchro" transmission ...

Since I was looking, and originally wanted a tractor I could trailer myself on my 7K rated trailer, which has a capacity of 5K on top of it ... Meant 2wd, no cab, no loader, and 20+ years old ... The older you go, the more likely to find both "live PTO" and "non-synchro" transmission on the small utility tractors I was looking for ... Most "synchro" transmission require you to be stopped to change ranges, but can shift between gears in the range selected "on the fly" or while moving ...

The trouble was most of the the tractors in my range were not synchronized ... So I decided to bump up to larger older tractors that had what I wanted, except couldn't fit on my trailer ... In the 80-120 HP range I was finding what I wanted, but figured with that HP mights well look at 15'+ batwing mowers ... Then I remembered that I'm only really needing to cut about 14 acres ... So, back to little tractors!

I'm not positive, but I think I saw this tractor back in February, but dismissed it without even clicking on the link to open up the ad, as it was only a little "L", and a MX was about as small as I wanted, a M would be better . . . But this second time around I did look into it more, and realized that there really is/was two sizes of "L's" ... My neighbor has a L4400 which has much smaller tires than this L5030 ... This has the PTO HP to do the job ...

My brother has pretty well convinced me that I would benefit greatly from a cab, and this even though smaller than I was looking for but with a cab is only a little over 4K Lbs ... He has its little brother ...

Yesterday morning I got my trailer ready, greased the bearings, topped up the air in the tires, plus on my pickup ... I will be leaving in about an hour to go look at this tractor ...

Yesterday while mowing, while dealing with the bugs, and sun ... I thought a cab would be nice!

 

[Youbet]

I think this is the bit that has people confused.

I think in your use, you coast around the turn. So you clutch coming into the turn, which loses speed and coasts around the turn. When you're facing the other way you let the clutch out again, which is no worse on the clutch than any start (and better than starting from a stand still).

But in other people's minds, the way they turn wouldn't be to coast all the way around. Either because of their terrain, or obstacles, or how they choose to drive their machine, they would slow down and turn slowly. And so, they're going to need power during the turn. Which then means either slipping the clutch, or changing gear to get the right speed for that turn.

That's fine, your machine, you can slip (or "feather") the clutch if you want. Other people don't want.


I think this comes back to wanting to turn slowly, and not being able to do it by just coasting. So one answer is to lower revs while you turn, then increase revs again after the turn. Which would work, but would mean the implement doesn't have 540RPM during that turn. Which might matter (if it's mowing for example, and the implement is still mowing), or might not matter (if it's a seed drill that you lifted while you turned anyway). Horse for courses.

Anyway, probably done this to death. I think we've established that you like gear tractors, and for your usage they work fine, and for your usage HST wasn't real good. This forum has a lot of people who aren't row crop farming, their usage isn't going up and down rows all day for 8 (or 12) hours. And HST is good for at lot of those other uses people put their machines to.

I'll add one other comment though on the lying bit.


So you believe that @McMXi said you were lying. But a direct quote of what he said is:



He didn't say you were lying. He did imply that you were biased, in that he made a point that he was trying not to be biased. Biased is not lying, it's just putting a spin on things. And you did do that. You put a pretty strong opinion that geared tractors were much better, and that HSTs had many disadvantages. His point was that HSTs also have advantages, something that in your later posts you also said, so you actually kind of agree with him. And @McMXi has both an HST and a geared tractor, and is usually pretty clear he likes his geared machine more (at least in part because it's bigger and better).

The internet is full of people who write things quickly without thinking about it real hard. You can read things in a way where they're an attack on you, or you can read the same thing and go "oh, he probably just meant that I'd ignored some of the benefits of an HST."

It actually doesn't matter too much what @McMXi really meant (although he's been around here for a while, and is normally pretty mild). If you read things on the internet and read them as an attack, you're going to have twice the blood pressure you need to, and your life will be full of people p*ssing you off. Whereas if you read the same thing and go "oh, right, he has a different opinion" your life will be much more pleasant. Whether it's true or not - because you can never know what's really true on the internet.

Just my 10c.

He answered talking about me, directly answering me “ but I try to be open and HONEST about their differences without any bias”. He inferred I was not honest in my post. But it’s whatever, I would not call someone out like that. He talked smack, and then never gave opinions on the pros of each of his tractors. I know why, because I’m convinced he does not know how to effectively and efficiently run the dang things.

You talked about me coasting around turns, slow, different speeds that people might want, slipping ( a term the “honest one“ used that shows his knowledge) the clutch. I honestly don’t know why this is getting people hung up. I go around the turn at the exact speed that I want, maybe coasting, maybe braking, maybe using clutch, maybe combination of all. In any case, I am not hurting or abusing the clutch that I think the” honest one “ ( that’s his new name by the way ) is hung up on thinking Im “slipping “ and hurting my clutch in some way.

He was hung up on me keeping RPMs in the turn!!! WHAT !!! So I’m supposed to change rpms for the turn and then re adjust my engine and PTO RPMs to get them where I want coming out of each turn??? I’m hoping he just don’t know he could set and keep his RPMs. Otherwise, this blows my mind. Maybe he needs to ask his Dad how to drive the tractors.

 

[McMXi]

He answered talking about me, directly answering me “ but I try to be open and HONEST about their differences without any bias”. He inferred I was not honest in my post. But it’s whatever, I would not call someone out like that. He talked smack, and then never gave opinions on the pros of each of his tractors. I know why, because I’m convinced he does not know how to effectively and efficiently run the dang things.

You talked about me coasting around turns, slow, different speeds that people might want, slipping ( a term the “honest one“ used that shows his knowledge) the clutch. I honestly don’t know why this is getting people hung up. I go around the turn at the exact speed that I want, maybe coasting, maybe braking, maybe using clutch, maybe combination of all. In any case, I am not hurting or abusing the clutch that I think the” honest one “ ( that’s his new name by the way ) is hung up on thinking Im “slipping “ and hurting my clutch in some way.

He was hung up on me keeping RPMs in the turn!!! WHAT !!! So I’m supposed to change rpms for the turn and then re adjust my engine and PTO RPMs to get them where I want coming out of each turn??? I’m hoping he just don’t know he could set and keep his RPMs. Otherwise, this blows my mind. Maybe he needs to ask his Dad how to drive the tractors.

Seems to me you're either dishonest, clueless or simply a massive wanker, but maybe all three. I doubt you've learned anything in years since your mouth is always open telling everyone else how it is. Frankly I'm bored by you and your posts. You contribute nothing to this forum.

You're not funny or clever or informed, just boring.

@Shawn T. W , I apologize for being a part of this distraction which started out as a very good thread. I have an aversion to know-it-all assholes so I was sucked in.

 

[chim]

Are you related to Flip?

Or maybe Gunkid or Hardin?

 

[McMXi]

He did imply that you were biased, in that he made a point that he was trying not to be biased. Biased is not lying, it's just putting a spin on things. And you did do that. You put a pretty strong opinion that geared tractors were much better, and that HSTs had many disadvantages. His point was that HSTs also have advantages, something that in your later posts you also said, so you actually kind of agree with him. And @McMXi has both an HST and a geared tractor, and is usually pretty clear he likes his geared machine more (at least in part because it's bigger and better).

I think you summed it up well. My preference for the M6060 really is about the size and capability differences rather than gear drive over HST, but admittedly, there are tasks that are much better suited to the MX such as snow removal or running the flail, and tasks better suited to the M6060 such as pulling the folding cutter up and down hills, pulling a fully loaded box blade up a hill, pulling the disc harrow around etc. I'm lucky to have both tractors and I know that, and I absolutely understand and appreciate why most tractor buyers choose an HST model these days.

I'm in the same boat having bought/owned three HST tractors over the last 9 years, and a gear drive for a little over 3 years, and in that time I think I've come to appreciate some of the differences and subtleties of both systems, some obvious and some not so obvious. That said, I enjoy learning and am open to changing how or why I do something as new information becomes available.

I've spoken at length to the manager at the local Kubota dealer about running the M6060. Not only does he own and use Kubota tractors on his farm, but he has decades of experience demonstrating equipment to mining companies in the area as well as tens of thousands of customers. I'll continue to use him as a valuable resource in all things tractor related.

For the record, I've never intentionally tried to pass myself off as an expert in anything related to tractors. I've learned an incredible amount from numerouos posts on this forum over the years, as well as the local dealer or farmers in the area, and even some Kubota engineers. I'll say this again, I'm always open to learning and enjoy that aspect of life. Just this morning I learned of the reason for the orientaion (odd angle) of the reinforcing fibers in a common garden hose.

 

[BBFarmer]

And @McMXi has both an HST and a geared tractor, and is usually pretty clear he likes his geared machine more (at least in part because it's bigger and better).

It actually doesn't matter too much what @McMXi really meant (although he's been around here for a while, and is normally pretty mild).

Yea. Dude is helpful, respectful, very mild, and probably does more tractorin' than most actual "farmers" on here.

And I'm not calling out anyones experience, but its become all too common having a young hand with little to no experience call out an old hand with mounds of experience. Again, not calling anyone out, youbet may have 50 years in the seat, i'm just ramblin here.

Seems to me you're either dishonest, clueless or simply a massive wanker, but maybe all three. I doubt you've learned anything in years since your mouth is always open telling everyone else how it is. Frankly I'm bored by you and your posts. You contribute nothing to this forum.

You're not funny or clever or informed, just boring.

@Shawn T. W , I apologize for being a part of this distraction which started out as a very good thread. I have an aversion to know-it-all assholes so I was sucked in.

I think everyone knows your intentions are always good.

Threw that "wanker" out there too didn't ya feller LOL. Ole dude done riled you up quick this morning, made you show your colors LOL.

 

[biketopia]

Waiting with bated breath to see what Shawn picks up!!

 

[Youbet]

Seems to me you're either dishonest, clueless or simply a massive wanker, but maybe all three. I doubt you've learned anything in years since your mouth is always open telling everyone else how it is. Frankly I'm bored by you and your posts. You contribute nothing to this forum.

You're not funny or clever or informed, just boring.

@Shawn T. W , I apologize for being a part of this distraction which started out as a very good thread. I have an aversion to know-it-all assholes so I was sucked in.

Dishonest, Clueless, Wanker.

From the questions you have asked me on how I operate my gear drive, you should not be calling ANYBODY clueless, let alone names. You are funny however, that $hit is hilarious. When you grow up, we can all talk about some of the funny things you would say when you were a baby.

You get embarrassed on the web by believing ( I actually think you believe ) that you are an authority on the differences, pros and cons of each transmission, however quickly show from your questions you are FAR from it. The truly FUNNY and ironic thing is that you asked me questions to try to prove I was a novice just blowing smoke, but instead showed everyone how ignorant and incompetent you are on your tractors with YOUR questions! I want to re post the questions you asked me but I’m too lazy. They make you just go WOW... He really does not have a grasp on how to run one of his own tractors.

I contribute nothing to this forum? I described in painful detail to YOU on how YOU can more efficiently and effortlessly turn your gear tractor around running a PTO implement. Your welcome. You seem to be hung up on that. If you have to be told how to efficiently and effortlessly do a turn (with a geared tractor with a clutch slip thingy) running your PTO, dang man.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I'm finally responding to your original post. I've never operated a hydro tractor other than a Craftsman lawn tractor. But I've bush hogged a bunch with unsynchronized gear, with and without independent PTO, and a little with a geared, hydraulic shuttle M7040.

I think your original geared, 2WD, independent PTO search would have served you fine. I just throttle down to make turns, 540 RPM isn't gospel and I'm turning in the headland that's already been mowed anyway. That said, I can see the advantage of the HST's variable speed for close trimming.

I think this L5030HST would serve you fine. The 4WD has extra weight on the front and somewhat larger front tires, I think, than the equivalent 2WD. The HST will use more fuel, but with cruise control should make a good mowing tractor.

My concern would be the 8' mower you've proposed. An 8' single deck isn't going to give you the quality cut you're getting with the narrower mowers you have, unless your land is very smooth. The cost is probably higher, but maybe consider a 10' bat wing.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

Now the questions …

1. If the rear tires aren't loaded, do you think I would need them filled? No, not for your tasks.

2. Bush Hog HDTH8 99” cut finish mower weighs 1190 Lbs, plus a quick hitch of about 70 Lbs, do you think I'd need front ballast when I lift the mower on the three point? What about filling the FRONT tires? After you use it you may want to add weights. I finally did on our Ford and it feels much better. I wouldn't fill the tires.

3. Where is the fuel fill?

4. Does 4,000 hours sound like a lot? I will probably put about 50 hours a year on this …
Not too many for your usage, if it runs good. It appears to be in good condition from the pictures. I'm impressed the AC still works.

5. With it apparently sitting out in the weather the last 20 years, other than faded paint, what should be areas of concern? Tires and hoses.

6. Are there any particular “problem areas” to look at?

7. I'm guessing this is a “Grand” series? Would it have cruise control? Not sure, but I think it would be desirable for a lot of mowing.

8. What questions would you
ask the dealer?

 

[Shawn T. W]

Waiting with bated breath to see what Shawn picks up!!

Loaded up and truckin' !

Rear tires are NOT loaded, but almost new ... Fronts are probably original, and weather checked ...

This Kioti dealership only looked at and recommended the belts, and some lights out, plus the battery cable, but did no work to it ... The air filters were new, the engine oil was almost clean, probably only a couple of hours at most on it, hydraulic fluid was clear, coolant was fresh green, no leaks, A/C blew cold ... He threw in a top link, did not have a manual ... I'm gonna order the paper copies . . .

I stopped at the local Kubota dealership, they told me the college has a mechanic, and a number of Kubota's, and came in frequently for parts and supplies ... I picked up filters and the belts, plus a spare key, actually they come as a two pack ... Put it on my new KW tag!

Stopped and weighed it on my trailer ...

Took a picture of where I had it, before I drove it off, just in case I have to trailer it somewhere, not that I plan on doing that much at all ...

Two brake pedals, and I'm gonna need to get used to the treadle pedal, the cruise is real smooth, so I know my foot has some learning to do ...

I gotta go hide it in the barn, after I take it for a ride out back ... In time I'll get it cleaned up, while I continue to save more pennies for a mower ...

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Congratulations! You'll like it.

The brakes. As a chronic turning brake user, I always wondered how you were supposed to use the brakes to turn with the HST pedal on the same side. Shouldn't be an issue with cruise control and they've moved them to the left side on the new models, but left foot braking would take some re-training. Also, not required as much with 4WD.

 

[chim]

You'll become accustomed to toe and heel on the pedal. I almost never use the brakes except for parking on a hill. The only time I ever used brakes for turning was years ago when helping the in-laws cultivate young corn.

 

[hedgerow]

Congratulations on the new to you tractor. I only use the brakes on my MX6000 for parking. Even on my big tractors I don't feel the need to spin the tractor around using the brakes. You are going to love that HST. I my self wouldn't have a mid sized tractor without HST. I just put sixty hours on my MX6000 last week spot spraying and I sure wouldn't have wanted to been starting and stopping all the time riding a clutch pedal with a gear drive tractor.

 

[D2Cat]

Loaded up and truckin' !
View attachment 158220

View attachment 158221

Rear tires are NOT loaded, but almost new ... Fronts are probably original, and weather checked ...

View attachment 158222

This Kioti dealership only looked at and recommended the belts, and some lights out, plus the battery cable, but did no work to it ... The air filters were new, the engine oil was almost clean, probably only a couple of hours at most on it, hydraulic fluid was clear, coolant was fresh green, no leaks, A/C blew cold ... He threw in a top link, did not have a manual ... I'm gonna order the paper copies . . .

I stopped at the local Kubota dealership, they told me the college has a mechanic, and a number of Kubota's, and came in frequently for parts and supplies ... I picked up filters and the belts, plus a spare key, actually they come as a two pack ... Put it on my new KW tag!

View attachment 158224

Stopped and weighed it on my trailer ...

View attachment 158225

Took a picture of where I had it, before I drove it off, just in case I have to trailer it somewhere, not that I plan on doing that much at all ...

View attachment 158226

Two brake pedals, and I'm gonna need to get used to the treadle pedal, the cruise is real smooth, so I know my foot has some learning to do ...

View attachment 158227

I gotta go hide it in the barn, after I take it for a ride out back ... In time I'll get it cleaned up, while I continue to save more pennies for a mower ... Got him down to an even $16K ...

Partner, you got a nice tractor. Have fun and enjoy. But that KW key chain, does that give it more power?

 

[Shawn T. W]

Yeah, it's kinda like the "Red Key" the green tractor guys use for extra 25% HP, but I don't really need, or want to feed the 400 HP Cummins that the tag came with!

I just HAD to see what the deal was with the dull paint ... I use to recondition and wax cars as a side job after high school ... So I washed a small patch including the fuel door, down to the Kubota decal, and a spot on the wheel . . . Then less than 30 seconds of wax ... I think it will look good from a distance, it still has scratches and rust that wax won't fix ...

You can kinda see where I washed it, but only waxed half of the fuel door ...

It will take A LOT of elbow grease, but in time it will look much better!

Took it for a 0.4 hour ride out back through the roughest section ... Much smoother ride at 3.5 mph like what I mow with my SCUT, will probably be able to mow that at 5.5 mph ... Front field should easily be able to go max speed in M range, which is 7.1 mph, if the mower will keep up, above 2400 RPM's don't seem to hold, from other reading 540 PTO should be about either 2600 or 2700 engine RPM, I'll read the manual once I get them ... A/C blew cold the whole time.

Front tires stated max pressure of 35 PSI which one was at, other was at 32, I reduced to 30, will probably reduce more, but want to see what the manual says, since it doesn't have a loader, I can't imagine it would be over 20 PSI ... LR tire was at 8 PSI, RR tire was at 14 PSI, I left them there for now, the one at 8 didn't seem under inflated ...

The back of my barn is open on 2/3's of it, I have a cattle panel across it to keep stray dogs out ... And my cats can get in there ... No mice allowed in my barn!

I had to rearrange stuff to make it fit, but it's out of the weather now, and once I get a mower for it, I will need to get some racks to get more stuff stacked up, using my trailer for 2 pallets ...

I park my truck in there when I'm home, and I like to leave room to get my tractor in and out without messing with the truck ... Kitties jump from the bench on the left to the table, raccoons can't make the jump, and they have learned that 11,500 volts of electric fence is not worth some cat food!

 

[chim]

Looks like someone is serious about protecting the pet dishes

 

[hedgerow]

I have used a fair amount of that Meguiar's wax cleaner over the years and then a guy I worked with, that went to tons of cars shows told me about M-Ron Glass wax cleaner. Its not cheap but it really does clean up a dull paint job. In my area the local Mack dealer is the only one that carry's it. It can be ordered on the internet also.

 

[BBFarmer]

Yeah, it's kinda like the "Red Key" the green tractor guys use for extra 25% HP, but I don't really need, or want to feed the 400 HP Cummins that the tag came with!

I just HAD to see what the deal was with the dull paint ... I use to recondition and wax cars as a side job after high school ... So I washed a small patch including the fuel door, down to the Kubota decal, and a spot on the wheel . . . Then less than 30 seconds of wax ... I think it will look good from a distance, it still has scratches and rust that wax won't fix ...

View attachment 158240

You can kinda see where I washed it, but only waxed half of the fuel door ...
View attachment 158241

View attachment 158242

It will take A LOT of elbow grease, but in time it will look much better!

Took it for a 0.4 hour ride out back through the roughest section ... Much smoother ride at 3.5 mph like what I mow with my SCUT, will probably be able to mow that at 5.5 mph ... Front field should easily be able to go max speed in M range, which is 7.1 mph, if the mower will keep up, above 2400 RPM's don't seem to hold, from other reading 540 PTO should be about either 2600 or 2700 engine RPM, I'll read the manual once I get them ... A/C blew cold the whole time.

Front tires stated max pressure of 35 PSI which one was at, other was at 32, I reduced to 30, will probably reduce more, but want to see what the manual says, since it doesn't have a loader, I can't imagine it would be over 20 PSI ... LR tire was at 8 PSI, RR tire was at 14 PSI, I left them there for now, the one at 8 didn't seem under inflated ...

The back of my barn is open on 2/3's of it, I have a cattle panel across it to keep stray dogs out ... And my cats can get in there ... No mice allowed in my barn!

I had to rearrange stuff to make it fit, but it's out of the weather now, and once I get a mower for it, I will need to get some racks to get more stuff stacked up, using my trailer for 2 pallets ...

View attachment 158243

I park my truck in there when I'm home, and I like to leave room to get my tractor in and out without messing with the truck ... Kitties jump from the bench on the left to the table, raccoons can't make the jump, and they have learned that 11,500 volts of electric fence is not worth some cat food!

View attachment 158244

View attachment 158245

View attachment 158246

Now dont go off polishing her all up LOL. She's got work to do.

Glad you got her though.

Loving your scripture covered ram to, way to go brother!

 

[Shawn T. W]

Looks like someone is serious about protecting the pet dishes

They killed one of my cats, so it's been WAR, I've killed 7 of them so far ... But now I think I've killed off the ones who know about the food, and use to getting it, the new ones only know that "Mr. Sparky" doesn't play nice!
The hardware cloth is hooked to the earth ground!!! I had to take a second one to the vet where it got bitten in its side, but lived!

I built the table thinking that there was no way possible for them to climb up the center pillar, and go upside down 16" horizontal ... They are tricky and smart little monkeys!

This 15 second video shows them just walking into the restaurant!
https://rumble.com/v6uxrvx-cat-food-bandits.html

The cats can jump! I removed the shelf that I marked in red, and added electric in the rafters so they can't climb up there and drop down ...

These are barn cats to protect my tractor(s) from mice and rats! But I've tamed them enough to sleep inside on my bed when I'm home ...

 

[chim]

Wow!