researcher1987vt
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- Oct 31, 2008
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- 6
If you had the choice to change one thing on a tractor (the way something looks or functions) what would it be?
What needs to be changed the most on a tractor?
- Thread starter researcher1987vt
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Wayne County Hose
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,325
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- Wayne County Pa.
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson model 85, Allis-Chalmers WD-45
Where they are made.
Okay, really, sorry about that. Me being a mechanic, I believe that every engineer should have to work on the junk that they make for at least 2 years before they are allowed to design anything. Now don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic engineers out there so I'm not engineer bashing, but everyone here will have to admit that sometimes, you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking?
I know, you're looking for something a little more specific. How about a travel lock on the front articulation units similar to what Toyota uses on their forklifts? This has a yaw sensor that senses a rollover and locks the steering articulation unit and helps keep the vehicle on all 4 wheels.
Okay, really, sorry about that. Me being a mechanic, I believe that every engineer should have to work on the junk that they make for at least 2 years before they are allowed to design anything. Now don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic engineers out there so I'm not engineer bashing, but everyone here will have to admit that sometimes, you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking?
I know, you're looking for something a little more specific. How about a travel lock on the front articulation units similar to what Toyota uses on their forklifts? This has a yaw sensor that senses a rollover and locks the steering articulation unit and helps keep the vehicle on all 4 wheels.
N80
Super Member
Well, it seems like my tractor is what it is and I knew what it was when I bought it. There are some minor flaws, like I'd like to have more power in the 3 pt hitch, or a little more curl in the bucket. But the main things I want to change, can easily be changed, in other words a hydraulic top link, teeth on the bucket, a canopy, etc etc.
As far as just pie-in-the-sky, maybe a diff lock for the front axle. Or factory plumbing for a third function on the loader for a grapple, or even a hydraulic post hole digger.
As far as just pie-in-the-sky, maybe a diff lock for the front axle. Or factory plumbing for a third function on the loader for a grapple, or even a hydraulic post hole digger.
Iplayfarmer
Super Member
More space in the operator station. It seems I can never find a vehicle where I can slide the seat far enough back to be comfortable.
N80
Super Member
I agree that more space is always a good thing, but for me it would have more to do with getting on and off the tractor. I'm always snagging a lever, etc etc.
Odd thing is that I'm over 6'4" and find my L4400 to be very comfortable in terms of back support and even leg room. The seat is a piece of junk, but for whatever reason it seems to fit me okay.
I did think of another 'change'. I wish most, if not all, tractors had more protection on the underside, engine panels, steering parts etc for working in and around brush, deep mud and such. That is something I would really like to see!
Odd thing is that I'm over 6'4" and find my L4400 to be very comfortable in terms of back support and even leg room. The seat is a piece of junk, but for whatever reason it seems to fit me okay.
I did think of another 'change'. I wish most, if not all, tractors had more protection on the underside, engine panels, steering parts etc for working in and around brush, deep mud and such. That is something I would really like to see!
Egon
Epic Contributor
I change the oil before it stops functioning properly!
jdbower
Platinum Member
I think the biggest tractor issue out there is when there's a loose nut behind the steering wheel
Most of the changes are pretty evolutionary. More power, stronger, faster hydraulic pumps, better fuel efficiency.
I can agree with the mounting-dismounting issue, retractable levers may be a good fix. Of course, there are a lot of people here who complain about hydrostatic transmissions being the work of the devil and physical gears are the only way to go so good luck with "fly-by-wire" control acceptance.
I'd like to see more offroader features built in, individually locking differentials in the front, rear and center as well as more advanced 4WD systems. Perhaps even a hydraulically operated lift to provide clearance when needed and a low center of gravity when clearance isn't an issue. Or maybe I just need to look at a Gator or an ATV...
While we're at it, if you could come up with a way to have a tire that can both provide a wide, smooth surface to float over lawns without doing damage but also be able to be narrow, traction grabbing monsters that can pull you out of the mud that would be fantastic. I could see this feasible with turf tires that could deform into R1s by raising some hydraulically activated bars inside the rim, but we'd need a whole new type of rubber and mounting the tire may not be possible without special equipment.
Connecting implements is always a pain, something like John Deere's iMatch AutoHitch is a good attempt, but the more generic the feature is and the more implements it can be applied to the better.
Probably the biggest thing CUTs have to deal with is weight distribution. CUTs are flexible and often see a lot more varied uses than field tractors, this means sometimes they're heavier in the rear and sometimes in the front, sometimes they've got a big mower hanging off the side and sometimes they're on a slope. Add to that a large percentage of clueless homeowners like me driving them and proper ballast is an issue. Sensors on the wheels to determine the center of mass of the tractor would be a great indicator that you're exceeding the abilities of the tractor configuration, being able to have a mobile weight in the frame that can compensate for this would be even better. Of course this weight shouldn't affect the clearance, should be quick to respond, and probably needs a supercollider to create something dense enough to make a difference, but if you could pull it off it would probably make a career.
One last interesting tweak would be the ability to mount an emitter on the top of your garage door that would automatically lower the ROPS as you enter. Of course if that would impact the safety it'll never get implemented, but worst case detect that the ROPS is up and that you're approaching the garage so you can sound a buzzer. And by "sound a buzzer" I probably mean apply a strong voltage to the seat since you probably won't hear a buzzer or see a light
Most of the changes are pretty evolutionary. More power, stronger, faster hydraulic pumps, better fuel efficiency.
I can agree with the mounting-dismounting issue, retractable levers may be a good fix. Of course, there are a lot of people here who complain about hydrostatic transmissions being the work of the devil and physical gears are the only way to go so good luck with "fly-by-wire" control acceptance.
I'd like to see more offroader features built in, individually locking differentials in the front, rear and center as well as more advanced 4WD systems. Perhaps even a hydraulically operated lift to provide clearance when needed and a low center of gravity when clearance isn't an issue. Or maybe I just need to look at a Gator or an ATV...
While we're at it, if you could come up with a way to have a tire that can both provide a wide, smooth surface to float over lawns without doing damage but also be able to be narrow, traction grabbing monsters that can pull you out of the mud that would be fantastic. I could see this feasible with turf tires that could deform into R1s by raising some hydraulically activated bars inside the rim, but we'd need a whole new type of rubber and mounting the tire may not be possible without special equipment.
Connecting implements is always a pain, something like John Deere's iMatch AutoHitch is a good attempt, but the more generic the feature is and the more implements it can be applied to the better.
Probably the biggest thing CUTs have to deal with is weight distribution. CUTs are flexible and often see a lot more varied uses than field tractors, this means sometimes they're heavier in the rear and sometimes in the front, sometimes they've got a big mower hanging off the side and sometimes they're on a slope. Add to that a large percentage of clueless homeowners like me driving them and proper ballast is an issue. Sensors on the wheels to determine the center of mass of the tractor would be a great indicator that you're exceeding the abilities of the tractor configuration, being able to have a mobile weight in the frame that can compensate for this would be even better. Of course this weight shouldn't affect the clearance, should be quick to respond, and probably needs a supercollider to create something dense enough to make a difference, but if you could pull it off it would probably make a career.
One last interesting tweak would be the ability to mount an emitter on the top of your garage door that would automatically lower the ROPS as you enter. Of course if that would impact the safety it'll never get implemented, but worst case detect that the ROPS is up and that you're approaching the garage so you can sound a buzzer. And by "sound a buzzer" I probably mean apply a strong voltage to the seat since you probably won't hear a buzzer or see a light
QRTRHRS
Elite Member
My Mahindra 7520 is the first new tractor I have ever had. Though I did play around in the dealers parking lot a bit, I failed to realize that "low" gear is not low enough for me at times.
Iplayfarmer
Super Member
You'd think someone could come up with a two chamber tire that when both chambers are properly inflated it would provide flotation. When just the one middle chamber is inflated it would provide more concentrated traction.
texasjohn
Super Member
My gripes are:
Need 4wd indicator on control panel
need a bunch more tool boxes built in... inside and out... and attachment points for others.
rear wheel locking should be easier... stomping on a small lever is not easy.
hydraulic top link should be standard, not requiring use of a valuable hydraulic port
3ph should always be of the "claw" type... such as PATS system... Case had that pre 1950... why not now??
I second the idea of weight distribution sensors and automatic weight adjustment... good idea... I go from front heavy (large FEL load) to rear heavy multiple times a day...
Need 4wd indicator on control panel
need a bunch more tool boxes built in... inside and out... and attachment points for others.
rear wheel locking should be easier... stomping on a small lever is not easy.
hydraulic top link should be standard, not requiring use of a valuable hydraulic port
3ph should always be of the "claw" type... such as PATS system... Case had that pre 1950... why not now??
I second the idea of weight distribution sensors and automatic weight adjustment... good idea... I go from front heavy (large FEL load) to rear heavy multiple times a day...