Are you a tractor snob?

[EddieWalker]

Not a snob, but definately suffer from "Tractor Envy"

I'd love to have a big 60hp or bigger Kubotoa or Deere with a cab, or a CAT trackhoe or just anything CAT!!!

I've never operated a CAT or a tractor with a cab. It sure seems like luxery haveing AC and being able to keep the bugs out.

But when I was pushing my electric lawn mower, a sears craftsman mower seemed like the ultimate mower!!! Now that I have a 6 foot bush hog, I want a 15 foot batwing mower and a Z mower!!!

Nothing wrong with any tractor out there. Each has it's strengths, and each has it's problems. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Eddie

 

[40Kchicks]

I can’t be a tractor snob. Every time I start to look down on another tractor the memories of my first two tractors boils up in my thoughts. Both tractors I had to pull up on the trailer. They were both just junk but that is all I could afford at the time. The fact is if I hadn’t bought this farm which makes the tractor payments I still would be dealing with cheap old junk. Five years ago I couldn’t imagine buying a brand new tractor or having more than one. Those memories of trying to revive dead tractors are still very recent.

You guys that have newer tractors just for your enjoyment and a business isn’t making the payments are high society.

Eric

 

[MikePA]

One of the quickest ways to get a thread closed is to start talking about politics.

 

[Jstpssng]

Well, I try not to be, BUT...
5 years ago when I started tractor shopping I was considering a "Hardy" Chinese tractor; I was talked out of it and bought a 20 YO kubota for similar money.
After reading through the forums here over the last few months (especially the problems experienced by "Jim57") I realise that Chinese tractor owners are much more independent and mechanically savvy than I ever plan to be; in a lot of ways they are like those of you who keep those antique tractors running, and cause me to drool. (My father has 2 "N"s that he keeps running, along with his 'Bota and hisFord that he works.)

To me, if you have something you take care of and are proud of you have every right to be a bit "Snobbish"; so long as you realise others are going to be the same way about their tractor, truck, dog, or whatever.

Today I actually saw a "Hardy" for the first time. with <100 hours it was sitting dead in the dooryard. I'm sure they're great tracotrs, so I won't elaborate on my first impressions about it being made out of "Play-Do" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.... but I'm happy with my old L275.

 

[deere755]

I don't consider myself to be a tractor snob. I drive all green and probably always will. I also drive Chevy or GMC pickups. I have never owned a Ford or Dodge truck in my life. MY neighbor has a Kubota and my father inlaw has a ford truck and tractor. We all have had good luck with our equipment. Its just a matter of personal preference. I know all these companies have good products or they would not be in business. They key to all equipment is good maintenance. You can get a lemon in any brand. I don't look down on anybody because of the brand of their choice. I had an uncle who used to get fighting mad over me not buying the same brand he did. I will never act that way towards anyone. Its not a fun feeling.

 

[wushaw]

I own a blue and orange Japan built tractors and both are great little tractors so I can't be a treactor snob but that beer snob thing "YES" I am a beer snob... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[kozak]

Good Post Henro !!

Yes.....I am definitely a tractor SNOB & proud of it. But a tractor snob for entirely a different reason. You guys missed the BOAT totally. I am a Tractor snob because I own a tractor....plain & simple. I look down on non-tractor type people. In fact, I sometimes feel sorry for them. Poor city slickers (so what If I used to be one), they will never know what their missing. I mean, how could you truly go thru life & never experience the awesome'ness of tractoring !!

OK....I'm just kidding, but I do feel pretty good about owning a tractor. Just found it humorous that all you guys took pretty much the same tact. Sure I have my preferences but does it really matter which tractor you are driving as long as you are tractor-cruise'in......& feeling pretty smug about it too !! Yeah BABY !! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Vic

 

[turbo36]

Pretty hard to reply to this thread without considering politics to some sort. At times there seems to be a an anti "Buy US" slant to this board, the attitude implies that if I work hard an can afford a made in the US tractor then I am automatically stupid for paying to much, but if I buy a no name Chinese, fly by night, copy cat, government subsidized tractor then I'm a smart guy and performing my patriotic duty, to me that is the highest form of snobbery. Why is it so wrong to try and support companies that contribute the most to our economy if I can afford to do it? You notice I didn't say just "American Companies" I said the companies that contribute the most to our economy, even thou I prefer and drive Fords I have no problem recommending a Honda or Toyota because they make a good product and support the American way of life.

 

[YanmarFever]

Like I said, QUALITY IS EVERYTHING ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

At work, hanging on my wall, I have a picture of me sitting on my new tractor. Is that snobbery or vanity? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

But I still can't understand why people pay a half-million dollars for a house with only a view of the roofs of other half-million dollar houses. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I guess I do fit the mold of a "country snob." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Larry_T]

I think I was when I first got my tractor. now whatever you can afford & whatever runs. Larry

 

[SnoFalls]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But I still can't understand why people pay a half-million dollars for a house with only a view of the roofs of other half-million dollar houses. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I guess I do fit the mold of a "country snob." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Oh, I hear those answers ...

"I don't have to do upkeep of my property" (aka a 4' wide swath around a 4000sq/ft home on a 4000sq/ft lot does have very little "upkeep")

"But, MY 1/2mil house is much nicer than my neighbors" (umm, they look *exactly* identical, but I guess his carpet is a better color).

"I'm closer to town than folks in the country" (uhh, I guess 20 miles in 20mph traffic is better than 60 miles at 60mph ... hmmm)

just a FYI, *average* house price in my area is now $380K /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (and these are typically 1/10ac lots with a BIG house) ...

 

[MadDog]

...finally had a chance to catch up on this thread ...very provocative, Henro.

Seems to be a dual subject thread (passing the political side currents) w/a single subject title, so I will take my turf on both:

Tractor snob? Not on your life; I don't look down on folks JUST because they don't own B7800s. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Beer? Seriously, Henro, would anyone EAT hops (or, for that matter, either barley or "malt")? Why does it make any more sense to mix 'em all together, let 'em stand too long and then DRINK 'em? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

OK, maybe to avoid dehydration.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But anyone smart enough to prefer ownin' a tractor to a 12,000sq. ft trophy hutch just has to know that there is only one thing truly fit to drink if DRINKIN' is to be done, and that's LAGAVULIN, (served neat). /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

But I ain't no drinkin' whiskey snob, neither. ...no point lookin' down on a fella just because he only drinks Glenmorangie. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

MikePA:
For the sake of future discussions, can you explain the "no politics" rule as it relates to DaryleD's post? I believe there may be, though it be slim, a chance that I am not the only one that is having trouble detecting "politics" anywhere in his missive. To me, for a forum that originates and is administered in the USA, "politics" relates to the policies of local, state or, federal government of the USA or, the policies of elected or appointed or otherwise commissioned officers of such jurisdictions. Even in an "international" setting, "politics", as it seems to me, needs an individual or party or philosophical connection. DaryleD made no such connection. He stated his perception, an argument against which eludes me, of a foreign "government" ... but, not an individual nor administration nor party nor [organized] philosophy. SO, could you please explain under what circumstances, relative to politics, a thread would be closed here on TBN, considering DaryleD's post?

 

[MVVineyard]

I considered all different tractors when I was doing my research. I chose based on a multitude of factors scaled as follows:
1. Safety
2. Local Service
3. Reliability
4. Price
5. Specifications
6. Asthetics
I looked at many tractors including "Gray Market" and decided against them simply from a safety and service standpoint, nothing more, nothing less.
The final choice was a Kubota, and it had the makings to satisfy all six criteria listed above. JD was a very close second and it was ultimately price difference that killed the JD.
I do not consider myself a tractor snob at all, and do not look down on other tractors or people who own other tractors.

 

[MadDog]

Good point. I am pretty uncomfortable with "censoring" the content of discussions here.

Keeping the dialogue free of obscenity and/or profanity, and on a reasonably polite, or at least civilized, plane; I'm all for that. It isn't often a problem here. But regulating the CONTENT of what folks can say here bothers me.

Homebrew2's comment is on the money. Just what is "political" anyway?

Some people here think that products liability law is the creation of shyster lawyers out to make a buck. There have been plenty of posts that express that point of view. I don't agree with it, but I certainly respect the right of folks to hold that opinion, and to express it here. The apportionment of the cost of personal injuries between the people suffering them and the manufacturers of machinery that may have caused them, and particularly the proper role of lawsuits in doing so, is a "political" question. It's also a legitimate one here when the machinery we use is involved.

Doing business with China, Japan or *****, for that matter, is also "political" in a sense but it is also relevant to the concerns of people here. I don't see why people shouldn't be able to talk about why they do, or don't, think that doing business with "country x" is good. And they should be able to do so whether I, or the Forum Moderators, personally agree with their point of view or not.

BTW, I reviewed the posting "rules" before writing this post. I didn't find anything prohibiting writing about controversial issues, political or otherwise, so long as they were relevant to our shared tractoring interests.

Perhaps MikePA could respond.

 

[meledward23]

Well when I saw "are you a tractor snob" I thought , well golly gee yes I am. If you dont own a tractor I am certainly to think less of you. I dont care what color it is, as long as it does more than cut grass.

 

[MikePA]

1. If I thought the post contained politics I would have said so. It was a warning NOT to talk about politics.

2. The forum posting rules are in the Terms of Service and the FAQ. If anyone has questions about what is in these documents, please PM a moderator or Muhammad.

 

[MMM]

I'm with Eddie and Eric on the 'green' with envy side.
I scratch my head on the guy with $25k tractor to maintain 1/2acre, while I struggle building/maintaing my operation with $5k unit from auction. Sure is a lot of stuff to spend money on besides the tractor. Difference between tractor being toy or tool.

 

[Hydraman]

I am a tractor snob ONLY if one thinks that tractors should never get a few dings and bumps and bruises!!! Ya gotta get em dirty and a few dings to really have fun with one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif