Essential tractor features

[Poopdeck Pappy]

What feature(s) on your tractor do you consider essential?

In responding to another post, I started thinking about my "Must Have" list. So many new tractor buyers come here looking for advice, but are focusing on price and brand names primarily, and often don't know enough about operating a tractor to really appreciate features that may be included or missing on a particular model. I thought we could help the knowledge base by saying which features we would not want to be without on a new tractor.

My list would be:

1. Extendable lower lift arms on the 3 point hitch.
2. Telescopic stabilizers.
3. Rear hydraulic remotes. At least 2 sets (and preferably 3). I don't have any on my BX2660, but I don't use it for much of anything that requires rear hydraulics. So this "requirement" is somewhat dependent on the intended us of the tractor.

While not an absolute requirement, I've been spoiled by having the rear 3 point lever on my Kioti DK50. Sure speeds up the process of hooking and unhooking implements.

There are other things like cruise control and mirrors that I like having, but they are not in the "must have" category for me.

 

[DK35vince]

Mine would be.
4 WD
Loader with skid steer type QA.
Rear remotes with top and tilt
Extendable lower link arms on the 3 point.
Telescoping stabilizers

 

[murphy1244]

Mine would be.
4 WD
Loader with skid steer type QA.
Rear remotes with top and tilt
Extendable lower link arms on the 3 point.
Telescoping stabilizers

I would add a quick hitch for me and cruise control.

And a suspension seat and rear lock diff.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Mine would be.
4 WD
Loader with skid steer type QA.
Rear remotes with top and tilt
Extendable lower link arms on the 3 point.
Telescoping stabilizers

I knew I forgot something that I find essential, and it was the SSQA. Good one.

 

[Paystar]

1. Reliability
2. Reliability
3. Reliability

 

[Utopia Texas]

4 wheel drive and FEL.
I would never buy a tractor without these two items......never!

 

[paulfun9]

my list is short and simple

Extendable links
At least 2 rear remotes or 3 depending on the tractors intended use
Quick attach loader and skid steer style bucket
Locking diff
A good comfortable seat and good placement of controls

 

[kneedeep]

Shuttle Shift- no Hydro

 

[kneedeep]

Shuttle Shift
FEL
MFWD
remote
Quick Hitch
NO ELECTRONICS- Buy used

 

[CalG]

Essential?

PTO

3pth

Starts, hot or cold.

Good tires. (or chains)

The rest is just convenience

 

[PHPaul]

Essential?

PTO

3pth

Starts, hot or cold.

Good tires. (or chains)

The rest is just convenience

That's pretty much my definition of "essential" too.

But, there are a number of things on my new Kubota that were not on my old John Deere that I really enjoy. Bear in mind that my JD was 27 years old and some of these things are pretty much standard on CUTs these days:

1. Power Steering (especially with a FEL!)
2. Live PTO
3. Extendable lower links
4. Single stick loader control
5. Better seat

I initially bought the JD without an FEL. I'd had it 4-5 years when I was able to buy one for it and it wasn't long before I swore an oath that I'd never own a tractor without one again.

 

[Egon]

Orange or green paint job.

 

[Gary Fowler]

5 year bumper to bumper warranty

CAB with HVAC

tilt steering wheel and telescopic wheel is very nice

extendable lower links

dual or more rear hydraulic ports

I use my FEL and backhoe so much, I wouldn't buy a tractor without them. Not everyone will use a backhoe as much as I do though.

Hour meter that works off the engine PTO speed to register hours. Having just a clock that registers full hours with turn of the key is pretty much worthless in determining maintenance or hours of use when selling used or buying used.

A high dollar item but worth the cost is a good adjustable air ride suspension seat with arm rests

 

[JerryK]

Loud horn.... So you can beep at and wave at your neighbor while you are out working with your tractor. Probably really annoys him that you have one and he does not.....

 

[Gary Fowler]

Loud horn.... So you can beep at and wave at your neighbor while you are out working with your tractor. Probably really annoys him that you have one and he does not.....

I thought all tractors came with a horn now. Who knew.

 

[Baby Grand]

Along with previously mentioned 4WD, telescoping hitch stabilizers, extendable rear links and a high quality seat I'd add:

> Wheel spinner, which I added as a "nice to have" feature, but now rely on.
Really helpful for maneuvering a CUT in cramped quarters and makes lawn cutting with a lawn tractor much easier around trees and other fixed objects .

> Depending on the intended use of the tractor, Top-N-Tilt.
For box blade and rear forks it's almost painful to work without it, now that I know how much more I can get done, per hour, with it hooked up.

-Jim

 

[SPYDERLK]

,,To add a few:
,,,,,Split brakes with lock down engaging each pedal

,,,,,2 speed independent PTO

,,,,,Parking gear that locks wheels so they wont turn.

,,,,,Ample cooling for 100% load.

 

[4570Man]

Most importantly SSQA on the loader. Then hydraulics on the front and rear to run the grapple and backhoe, HST transmission, extendible 3ph arms, 4wd, and R4 tires. I would never own another tractor without any of the above features.

 

[sdef]

Most importantly SSQA on the loader. Then hydraulics on the front and rear to run the grapple and backhoe, HST transmission, extendible 3ph arms, and R4 tires. I would never own another tractor without any of the above features.

I am surprised to find this is the first post in this thread to mention front hydraulics. Most of the items in the thread are on my must have list.

- I will add additional tool/chain storage, which we normally fabricate individually.

 

[C4Ranch]

Without duplicating what everyone's said, I would add a rear work light.

More lights up front the better but rear is essential to me.

Features I like - auto throttle advance, 3pt position control.