Book Comments

[Muhammad]

Since a few are starting to go into the other thread, I figured I would create this thread for reviews of the book, if you would like to post them. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif This way, it will be a little more organized than having it all in one thread. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thanks...

 

[Harv]

Re: Book Reviews

Good idea, Muhammad! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I guess my review was this post.

 

[Roy]

Re: Book Reviews

When I began exploring the possibility of an upgrade from a lawn tractor to a larger multi-purpose unit, my first issues were "What do I have to know? What do I have to consider?" Three months of my 2-year buying effort was consumed researching those basic issues. What are the choices? What does the terminology mean? What are the buying factors? New or Used? Eventually, by a relentless search of the Internet, talking with dealers and other tractor owners, I compiled a list of criteria and considerations.

Now there is the "Compact Tractor Buying and Basics". The entire buying process defined. The terminology. A summary checklist, which contains everything that I had considered, and some additional items I should of considered before buying! If the book was available at that time, I could have achieved a three-month jump on the purchase of my new tractor.

For anyone considering, or actively pursuing the purchase of a compact tractor, the $24.95 spent may prevent you from making a $20,000 mistake. The general information within the book is sound, and reflects the general consensus of the Compact Owner's community. The value-add is that the information is organized and consolidated within one reference.

You can reference the book, or you can burn up countless hours and ISP charges doing your own basic buying research. If you do it on your own, I bet that you won't think of every consideration!

 

[fishman]

I have completed reading the book, so I guess I'll take as stab at a review, although a Gene Siskel or Roger Ebert I am not./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Muhammad does a good job explaining the basics of tractor shopping for both used and new,as well as implement choices, dealer selection, and safety. Although a bit general for my tastes, it must necessarily be so, as it can't be tailored to each individual reader's concerns.

Avid readers of Tractorbynet will not find this book as useful as those who are just starting to explore the world of compact tractors. For example, I found myself wishing for a more in-depth discription and discussion of the implement types available for compact tractors. However, if this book had been available 6 months ago, it would have saved me countless hours of perusing discussion threads and puzzling over just what the heck a FEL and a ROPS was. I certainly owe my present state of enlightenment, such as it is, to Muhammad's excellent web site.

In conclusion, if you are in the market for a compact tractor, as I am, you can't afford not to purchase this book. For newcomers, it provides a starting point and a good knowledge base on which to build, most logically on the TractorbyNet discussion board. Seasoned members of the board (you know who you are) will benefit most from the extensive review of safety considerations, as well as the excellent directory of useful web sites at the end.

 

[fishman]

Geez, only three reviews? Surely somebody else has got to have read the book and have an opinion on it. I'd hate to think I killed the book review forum with my last post. Somebody relieve this burden of guilt from me!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

Hmm, like Muhammad said, we'd already started discussing it elsewhere before he started this thread, so some of us didn't re-post what we'd said. So far as I know, the book is "as advertised", i.e., the first or most complete one available on the topic. It would be the best place to start for someone who has not yet bought a compact tractor, or for someone who is new to compact tractor ownership, thinking about what implements he/she wants, etc. Naturally, it is of a little less value to those with experience and a lot of time on this forum, but I still figure it was well worth my time to read and keep for future reference.

Bird

 

[Calpyro]

To all,
I decided to buy the book and I have been somewhat disappointed. I found the book quite vague and lacking significant detail. The book covers all aspects of tractors, however even as a novice, I felt that I did not get any useful information that would help me. I suggest that if a person has ANY knowledge of tractors, think very hard before paying for this book.
Calpyro

 

[BobT]

Calpyro,

No book or any product for that matter is going to satisfy every body I suppose. It is true that it does not go into details of owning and operating tractors, but the title of the book was clear enough to me. I don't know exactly what kind of info you wanted, but a book which provides step-by-step instructions on tractor operation and such is a whole other book (which I understand Muhammad is at work on). Actually I could envison a pretty good sized volume just on front end loaders.

I have about 43 year's experience with tractors, and I found the book quite useful for many reasons. I am just about to buy a new rig to replace my truly ancient Kubota. It got me to thinking about a lot of things I really didn't give enough consideration to. The charts and diagrams were helpful, to me anyway, and I got a print out of the checklist and definitely am using it to help me make my final decision. Muhammad's approach, to me, was to provide the conceptual framework of all that was required in a purchase, and then it is up to me to collect the specifics. As you probably know, there are tens of thousands of pages of "details" on each tractor line. I don't think it would fit in one book.

The writing style is very clear and simple enough for a dope like me to understand, but the thoroughness to the coverage of the topic of compact tractors impressed me.

I considered that the book was aimed at the large and growing number of people who are getting into compact tractors for the first time. For such people, and even an old timer like me, I found the book a complete introductory resource. I told one of my friends up in Vermont who is fixing to trade up on an old John Deere to buy the book, and he also thought the book was quite helpful to him.

Also, the big list of tractor-related links was nice. I still haven't gotten around to visiting all of them, but have uncovered some great sites from his list.

Anyway, I also wanted to support Muhammad and this board, and for all I have gotten out of it for the past 3 years.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[Bird]

Very well said, BobT. I agree!

Bird

 

[Muhammad]

Calpyro,

The book is intended for those who want to learn basic knowledge of compact tractors, and for those who are going to be buying a compact tractor... without a doubt, I would use the book myself to guide me through a tractor purchase. There are many factors covered in the book that even those with complete tractor knowledge might overlook.

If you have any specific suggestions... things you'd like to see (the significant detail? of what?) please send me an e-mail, and I'll consider your suggestions for future revisions.

Thanks,