LX3310 HST Whine

Ton

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BX2380
Aug 26, 2022
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Test drove an open station LX3310 the other day. Noticed that the HST had an annoyingly loud whine in high that was less annoying in medium, and barely noticeable in low. I asked the dealer about this specifically and he attributed the loud whine to the fact that the engine was so much quieter compared to other tractors. Basically saying that the engine being so quiet was the only reason the HST seemed so loud. This was at the very end of my test run so didn't have a chance to specifically listen for that. I didn't think too much more of it at the time, but got to wondering afterwards if he was just blowing smoke, or if that really is the case. I wish I was able to test that out...but I'm not. Thoughts?
 
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Roadworthy

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L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
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The HST seems louder when working harder - as in higher ranges. I've not tried other tractors to compare noise levels but the Kubota HST is LOUD. Either the noise diminishes over time or you become accustomed to it. I have read that using SUDT2 fluid will reduce the whine. Since that's all Kubota seems to have now I'm pretty sure that's what's in my tractor already.
 

#40Fan

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There is a guy that regularly posts on YouTube with his cabbed tactor that had a considerably loud HST whine. Few months later now, I don't hear it as much.
 

jkrubi12

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B2601/LA435/QA54"/BH70/B8160box/BB1254/PFL1242/SGC0554/WC-68 Chipper
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Just watch some YouTube videos and you'll hear that loud whine...I'm sure that current owners will say that you'll get 'used to it' but there's no denying that the LX has a distinctively loud HST whine.

The whine wouldn't keep me from owning one, however; my B2601 HST has a 'treadle pedal' issue while trying to reverse that is probably as annoying as a loud whiney transmission would be.

There's trade-offs everywhere you look! :rolleyes:
 
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mcmxi

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Test drove an open station LX3310 the other day. Noticed that the HST had an annoyingly loud whine in high that was less annoying in medium, and barely noticeable in low.
I am much more aware of the sound of the HST in the MX6000HSTC than I ever was in the MX6000HST and I have a similar number of hours on both machines (~110 hours). The noise of the engine in the open station model, combined with the lack of amplification or at least concentration caused by the cab went a long way to masking HST whine. HST whine is a byproduct of the convenience of that kind of transmission. With the HST noise absent in the M6060 I notice other noises such as the sound of the power steering pump. It seems reasonable that the rate at which hydraulic oil is being pumped around the system is going to make a difference to the amount of noise generated.

These tractors are tools and not cars, trucks or SUVs so they lack many of the sound mitigation features or design inherent to modern automobiles. Shoving a head unit in the cab and adding other convenience features such as USB ports, cup holders, heat and a/c etc., tricks some into thinking that these tools are like modern day cars and trucks. They're not.
 
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fried1765

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Nov 14, 2019
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Just watch some YouTube videos and you'll hear that loud whine...I'm sure that current owners will say that you'll get 'used to it' but there's no denying that the LX has a distinctively loud HST whine.

The whine wouldn't keep me from owning one, however; my B2601 HST has a 'treadle pedal' issue while trying to reverse that is probably as annoying as a loud whiney transmission would be.

There's trade-offs everywhere you look! :rolleyes:
If only there was a reasonable way.........to get rid of the Daam treadle pedal!
 

Jchonline

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Nature of the beast. I dont even hear mine anymore. Especially with noise cancelling headphones and music going!
 
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S-G-R

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LX3310, LA535, rear remotes, third function, R14's
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I had a LX2610 and found it to be louder than my LX3310 but it's by no means quiet. I wear hearing protection and like @mcmxi mentioned, different machinery makes different sounds and most of it isn't good for your hearing anyway.
 

Mark_BX25D

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Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
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If you are operating an HST without ear protection, you WILL regret it. The only question is, "When?".

And if you think wearing ear protection is for sissies, you are an idiot.

By the way, you need muffs, not plugs. Plugs are light years better than nothing, but they don't protect the mastoid bone (right behind your ear), which conducts a lot of sound to your cochlea.
 
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Ton

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BX2380
Aug 26, 2022
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Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm less concerned about it after reading your thoughts.
 

troverman

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MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
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Grand L 60 series Kubota tractors have the quietest HST probably offered anywhere. The standard L and smaller tractors have noisy HST whine. My MX6000 cab doesn't seem bad. The higher ranges will amplify it, because there is more hydraulic pressure needed to move the machine. Don't use high range at low RPM.

Your dealer is lying, some HST units are quieter than others. I wouldn't make that claim at all.
 
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RCKM

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2022 L3302, LP B1260 Box Blade, LP 0660 Grapple, Rear Blade, Pallet Forks
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L3302 isnt very quite either!
True that! B2650 didn’t seem as loud. However, it does seem to be getting quieter at 30 hours. Either that or I’m getting used to it. Totally subjective though. Been meaning to get a decibel meter for guns and other stuff. Now I have another reason.
 

Orange1forme

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Dec 1, 2018
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I noticed a slight decrease when I did a complete fluid and filter change, not just what manual recommended, at the 50 hour mark.
 
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RCW

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I noticed a slight decrease when I did a complete fluid and filter change, not just what manual recommended, at the 50 hour mark.
I’ve noticed reduced whine each time I’ve changed fluid. Did change at 50 hours also years ago.
 

SDT

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multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
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Test drove an open station LX3310 the other day. Noticed that the HST had an annoyingly loud whine in high that was less annoying in medium, and barely noticeable in low. I asked the dealer about this specifically and he attributed the loud whine to the fact that the engine was so much quieter compared to other tractors. Basically saying that the engine being so quiet was the only reason the HST seemed so loud. This was at the very end of my test run so didn't have a chance to specifically listen for that. I didn't think too much more of it at the time, but got to wondering afterwards if he was just blowing smoke, or if that really is the case. I wish I was able to test that out...but I'm not. Thoughts?
Kubota says that the new HST in the forthcoming LX 3520 and 4020 is designed to be significantly less noisy.
 

ItBmine

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B2620, RTV-X1100C
Jan 21, 2014
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Kubota says that the new HST in the forthcoming LX 3520 and 4020 is designed to be significantly less noisy.
That's why I laughed when the OP's dealer told him "there's no excessive whine, it's just the engine is quieter" then at the Kubota Connect dealer meeting they are bragging about the new transmission that is going to be much quieter.