Go BottomKubota model to replace JD 850
 | Arkaybee
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 7 ARKLATEX (NW LA) 
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2003-12-28 72536
For the last 12 years I have used my JD 850 (gear), with Bush Hog FEL, JD finish mower, tiller, cultivators, box blade, etc. I grow large vegetable gardens and raise flowers commercially and have a total of four (4) acres. However, when I do a lot of loader work (compost) my left knee (previous injury & surgery) really pains me for days thereafter due to all the clutching. I realize I am going to have to get a hydro transmission tractor and I have been reading a lot about Kubotas and thinking I may change brands. What model Kubota should I choose that would not sacrifice any of the abilities of the JD 850 (traction, pulling power, 3PTH lifting, e.g.)? I would like to add a MMM instead of the rear mount finish mower. What is the largest Kubota that would be feasible to put a MMM on. FEL is necessary too. I have a lot of large flower beds with gently curving borders to mow around. Currently I use a Kubota G1800 (7-8 yrs old) for mowing. Larger Kubota with MMM would be nice to speed up the mowing which we do a couple of times a week in the season.
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York 
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2003-12-29 72565
To stay the same or to have results that would make you feel it was a wise investment, look at the L-3130. You might be able to get buy with the B-7800 or 2910 but the Grand L-series comes in about the same weight as your tractor you own now. ....
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| Arkaybee
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 7 ARKLATEX (NW LA)
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2003-12-29 72575
Art, thanks for your reply. I appreciate your expertise and willingness to share it with us. I too was thinking of the Grand-L series. As a follow-up: What should I know or consider in order to choose between the GST and HST transmissions in 4WD? I do tilling, discing, row building (hipping), chisel plowing, cultivating, mowing, as well as FEL work. From the Kubota brochure I cannot get a good understanding of the finer points of the characteristics and advantages of each in my operations. Would the HST be a disadvantage in any of my operations? ....
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2003-12-29 72576
The tillage other then tilling would all be done better with the GST. Remember that the flexibility of the hydro's drive speeds gives you an advantage with the pto work. Ever notice with your old tractor that if you had another gear in between you would have gone for it? Thats the plus of a hydro, the loss of power to the ground would increase the fuel being burnt to overcome the parasitic loss from the hydro. The glideshift with 12 speeds forward will give you more gearing options then what you currently have so that would be a plus. For your knee you won't be needing to use the clutch so much because of the foreward and reverse shuttle and the 12 speed powershift transmission like used in the bigger farm tractors. You definitly will notice an improvement in performance as well as relief from what bothers you now and with 9 speeds below six miles per hour you should have all the options covered. ....
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| GaleHawkins
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 44 KY
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2003-12-30 72658
Arkaybee thanks for asking the question I was trying to figure out how to ask and Art thanks for answering it. It will be some time before I replace my 1992 Zetor I sold in 1996 because I needed the cash to put in my business I am building. For some reason I was searching for some Christmas items on Ebay and found a 1999 or 2000 JD 4100 HST like new with FEL, BH and blade in the $9K range, $10K buy it now. While I could not consider it at this time I did get the bug. I stopped by a used dealer that had a 2002 Kubota 3010 with FEL and BH with 550 hours with GST. Since I have the left knee issue I was impressed with the GST and short turning radius. He say it would take $14.7K to get it but out of 10 I would only have rated it a 6 because it had be rode hard and put up wet in its general external condition.
Next to it he had a 1998 JD4100 220 hours HST that looked OK but had a torn seat and had always set outside. It had the FEL and BH by JD. It was $12.4K he said.
Quickly I saw the JD was harder for me to get on due to left knee condition and having 12 year old hip replacement on each side. I am only 52 so I want to keep going and keep up my 11 acres of hilly ground. The narrow JD just did not interest me for safety reasons either so I never even started it.
When trying to learn more about GST Google lead me to this site. Not being up on new tractors especially the compacts the GST seemed to function more like the old Ford Select-O-Speeds. With the shuttle operated with the left hand with neutral in the center position it was clear that one could do a lot without ever touching the clutch. Having to control the HST by foot did not appeal to me for anything other that heavy use of a FEL which I do not plan to do.
I would like to have a tractor that would be around for 20 - 30 years and just have no idea if a GST or HST has that type of life without heavy repairs. I found a 3830 GST in E TN for about $20K with 22 hours and only used on concrete in a factory to load coil stock on a production machine and it turned out to be an overkill per the owner. It had FEL with real set of forks that replaced the bucket. It was the best looking tractor I have ever seen period and if money was no object I would have seriously persued it. I am not going to buy a rough looking late model tractor to have around to look at for the next 25 years just to save a few bucks up front. How anyone can beat up a new tractor is beyond me.
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2003-12-30 72670
One post, two people helped! Just like xmas for me! The glideshift was introduced in the mid 80's so it is coming up for it's twenty year reunion in a few years. There has been some changes and all for the plus. The newer ones shift quicker and they have been improved for cold weather operation, they now have the 12 speeds forward where they were just 8 speeds. ....
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| Arkaybee
Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 7 ARKLATEX (NW LA)
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2003-12-30 72724
Art, you are doing really well with these two-for-one shots. To continue: is there any clutching necessary with the GST transmission? How would the GST perform when using the MMM as compared to the HST? I simply have had no experience with a transmission like that and cannot quite get it together in my head. You can do it though~:-)
Seems to me that with loader work and mowing the HST would be the best choice but my lack of knowledge of the GST is showing here. Thanks. ....
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Add PhotoKubota model to replace JD 850
| Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2003-12-30 72737
There will be clutching, as when you need to inch into an area to hook up to the hitch, even loader work. You will not be doing the normal clutching to change directions as that works so easy with the hydraulic shuttle. When you want to change speeds you just move a lever to increase or decrease the speed. I like using the foot throttle with these units as they make it so smooth. For mowing in tight quarters give me a hydro for optimum efficency, the variable speed and to go forward and reverse so smooth and quickly. The hydro comes the closest to being like driving an automatic transmission only better. I'd say to go and try the glideshift tansmission. It's been in the fifties here in NY but on the worst day for cold I'd still think my front line tractors always start for demo! ....
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