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

 

[JATO_RaT]

Re: It was SAD, but I am GLAD

John, its strange how when one puts a face to a voice as in a phone call from someone you do not know or a radio voice heard by someone you have never seen. Well, I have a face, age, etc. placed for you. I'm sure its inaccurate, it always is. I figured "Old School" for you couldn't be too old as I put you around the mid forties. I agree about the freedom hitch, the price is out of line for me. I don't change implements enough to justify it. Besides, having 2 tractors means one is dedicated with a mower. Prior to my new tractor, I had never tried HST and must admit, MChalkley was a big factor in me trying it out. After looking at Kubotas L4310, NH TC45 and JD's 4600 and 4700 tractors with and without HST, I became a HST fan. I regularly use tractors such as yours. I still enjoy them no less then my HST. Shortly after picking a tractor, Kubota came out with the L4610 HST. That was going to be it. Then came the L48. The L48 had so much more steel in it then the L 40XX series. I was not interested in a hoe, but should I be, the L48 is very well setup for it. Folks around here have fallen in love with the ability of the L48's hoe. Even with a 3' bucket, it digs handily. Well, thats how I ended up with HST, the L48 only comes with it. I never thought about the ease with which it would assit me in hooking up 3 Pt. implements, but it is very nice and makes it so much easier then my International which insists I hop on it, press in the clutch, go to forward or reverse, in first and ever so slightly try to edge it one way or the other. Telescoping links would have been super nice on it. Rat...

P.S. got a source for turf tires for my International 454 which has 16.9/24's. I would like to remove those R1's and put on a pair of turfs for the rear. The manual says 16.9's are accepatable on the stock rims.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: It was SAD, but I am GLAD

Mark,

If it was a perfect world, your HST and 1/100" would be fine with a level implement... but when it's not level... that's when the telescopic arm shines... that's how it is in most cases... never level.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I somehow think I've done this before looking for turf's to fit on an ag rim... but I think you have to change wheels as well... but I'll look again... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I misplaced my drivers license and can't remember how old I am... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

{but I do have a picture of me posted on my Massey here somewhere on TBN...} /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

Re: It was SAD, but I am GLAD

Your right John, in fact there are times when everything is lined up, plenty of slack in the chains and it won't budge. Thats when I get out a bigger hammer.
I had a feeling the only way to do it right was with wheels as well. Thanks, Rat (Mark, the other Mark)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

MDNICK, I fully agree with you, that idea is about on par with what I think about more electronics on tractors-keep it mechanical , simple and strong for me please. In todays world people try to convince you more is better, the extra time it takes me to hook up my implements is no problem, as a matter of fact, not too long ago I was thankful how implements are this easy to hook up, of course if you have money to burn that is a diff. story./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MChalkley]

Re: It was SAD, but I am GLAD

Rat - Of course, with the Freedom Hitch, it doesn't even matter if the ground is level, either. But I do agree that the cost is a major bite out of the wallet. It can only justify itself if you don't care about the cost, or do a lot of implement switching - then your time quickly adds up to become more expensive than the capital outlay for the Freedom Hitch.

I can't tell you how glad I am that you're still that impressed with HST. I'd sure hate to have someone as vocal as you saying I gave them a bum steer... /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif