It was SAD

[MDNick]

Was at my dealer to discuss box blades (and Stihl weedeaters) and generally just admire tractors. While waiting on a salesman to complete a 3710 sale, I noticed a 4610 still crated. I didn't know they were shipped crated. No tires, no ROPS, no front axle, no 3ph lift arms. Or I should say, they are bolted around, under, near the tractor, but not installed. Without tires, front axle, a 4610 looks about the size of a BX. Not nearly as impressive.

Also noticed the new telescoping lift arms on the the L-series 3ph. I could see where it might be useful. The ends unlatch and slide out 3" or so. I guess you make the connection, then back up until the mechanism re-latches. Personally, I don't think I would like it. It is just one more thing that introduces slop, play, wear, etc. into what could be a very rigid system if properly designed.

Nick

 

[JATO_RaT]

Nick, while I have no clue what "It was SAD" has to do with anything here, you could posibly be right about telescoping links, especially on larger compacts developing play over the years. I have found that HST offers all the minute telescoping I need to hook up 3 ph implements, Rat...

 

[PitbullMidwest]

My brother in law owns a 1966 JD3020 with telescoping links. It is a great feature that should be an industry standard (IMHO). Makes hooking up implements much easier and there is no slop whatsoever, and I'm sure that tractor has seen a lot more hookups than the average compact.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...telescoping links. It is a great feature that should be an industry standard ...</font color=blue>

I like them on my Deere... but I loved them on my Massey 165... with dual-cat I/II hole lift arm balls...

When you get tired of wrestling for years of mounting and dismounting equipment and using the pry bar for help... only then can you appreciated the "telescoping feature"...

You'll never buy another tractor without them... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

John, perhaps you should try it with HST, it may not be exactly telescoping, but it can get it to within about 1/100th of an inch. I can hookup almost as fast esapecially when on level ground since the HST allows very minute changes in position and admittedly while I am not on the tractor using just my hand on the forward/reverse pedal all the while watching the 3 point arms. I'm not suggesting that if telescoping arms are availble you not take advantage of it, but HST is a great way around it if its on your tractor. For really fast hook-ups, nothing will beat a Freedom Hitch on your compacts. Rat...

 

[rdln]

The crates apparently take up less space on "the boat", enough to be cheaper having the dealer assemble the sub-assemblies. Also allows them to be forklifted easier.

I think I know what you mean by sad knowing that you Kubbie and my Johnnie were once in a C3PO state.

 

[MDNick]

Yes, that is it. It was just sad knowing 1) they were crated, I don't like crating a dog either, and 2) the tractors just look pathetic, weenie, SAD, when crated without wheels, front axle, etc. They are supposed to be impressive and muscular, not disassembled in a box.

As an engineer, I really like KISS. Adjustable sometimes means a sacrifice in someway, take a crescent wrench for instance. Wonderful concept, lousy wrench, great club. The telescoping just can't be as solid as one piece. Which means it might break. One busted spring on the telescoping mechanism and you are without 3ph. Sure, you can save 4 minutes when hooking up. I'll trade my 4 minutes for a stronger system when I am using it. It is my same gripe (that has been heard before) on the telescoping sway bars.

Nick

 

[rdln]

First you are sad, now you want kiss......gggssshhheezzz.

/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[MDNick]

Good one! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

For those that don't know K.I.S.S.

Keep It Simple Stupid

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi Mark,

I do like the design of the the Freedom hitch... it's the price of the $200. attachment plate for each and every attachment you own ... I don't like... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

I'm sure in my lifetime, I may go to a HST 50+ hp machine... but I'm from the old school and remember the nasty problems with International's Hydro and the older Ford-o-matics... like an old 60's automatic transmission with lots of slippage {when they acted up... and they acted up alot back then...}, and everything was tied to each other... the hydraulic pump, the 3 point hitch, the transmission, the hi/med/low ranges... it became a nightmare... so I still have that "stale taste" in my mouth from many years ago that just won't go away...

Besides, how do you teach an "old dog" new tricks...? I'm use to gears... and most of my work is constant speed field work... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif