HST and field work

[Keith7481]

Hi, am considering buying a Kubota with HST. All of our previous tractors have been gear tranny's this will be the first HST that we've used. Before we buy, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on the upside and downside of the HST for fieldwork. We are primarily in the hay business, round and square bales and are planning to use the new tractor for cutting, raking, and square baling. I'm envisioning having to keep my foot on the forward pedal all day and wondering if that will be more tiring than needed. (and am not thrilled with the whine) When moving round bales, I can imagine the HST will be an excellent feature. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Repair]

Hi, am considering buying a Kubota with HST. All of our previous tractors have been gear tranny's this will be the first HST that we've used. Before we buy, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on the upside and downside of the HST for fieldwork. We are primarily in the hay business, round and square bales and are planning to use the new tractor for cutting, raking, and square baling. I'm envisioning having to keep my foot on the forward pedal all day and wondering if that will be more tiring than needed. (and am not thrilled with the whine) When moving round bales, I can imagine the HST will be an excellent feature. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Get the cruise control option added to it for mowing.

 

[bucktail]

Hydro transfers power less efficiently than gears do. Look up the drawbar and PTO ratings and upsize tractor accordingly.

 

[Keith7481]

Can the cruise control be added to the HST, or does it have to be built in at the factory. The tractor we are considering is used.

 

[85Hokie]

Can the cruise control be added to the HST, or does it have to be built in at the factory. The tractor we are considering is used.

Some come standard with cruise some do not. Depends on model.
I have had both - geared and HST, gear might have more usable rear pto HP - however depending on how you use it - HST is worth the money hands down. IF a direction change is needed - it is the utmost. If straight runs at a same speed all the time, gear is fine.

Personally - I would never go back to a geared...that's just me!

 

[MadMax31]

Delmar, NY? What model are you considering? Many Kubotas can have the cruise option added after the fact.

If your doing mostly field work, a geared machine might be better suited. If your doing more loader work, HST is great. I pulled an F150 supercrew up my sloped driveway with my B7610 more than once. Didnt know it was behind me, and it was HST.

If you are in Delmar NY, Sharon Springs sells used pretty high. Salem is good, Columbia Tractor only wants to sell 100k dollar machines and it shows. Abele is off their rocker. Hudson River Tractor has had a few sweet deals lately.

 

[Keith7481]

Yes Delmar NY. The farm is close to Hudson so we use Columbia. They had a 50hp model that was at a fair price, as it will be mostly used for field work, we decided to go with a gear drive. Thanks to all for the thoughts, very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

What tractor model are you looking at?
Some models are easier to add things than others.

 

[tor]

Have an MX5200 HST with cruise (came with it) I like it. I used to have a 2WD MX5000 with gear shift. For FEL work (and your bail work), HST is a "must". I can not imagine doing any FEL work with a manual shift and clutch. That would be painful. I use it for hogging and finish mowing too, and use the cruise if the spots are not too tight.

I don't think you'll regret getting a HST tractor.