mike69440
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2005
- Messages
- 3,310
- Location
- Central NH (God's Country)
- Tractor
- 2005 L39 Kubota, 2020 Polaris 570 Sportsman, 2006 RTV 900, 2019 RTV1100C, 1997 Komatsu PC75UU2E w/ Thumb & Blade, 2013 Mahindra Max28XL Shuttle plus many attachments
I have spent a lot of hours on tractor seats/ heavy equipment, so I do my research when I buy, a new/replacement machine.
Tractor purchase is something I do not do often; thank God for that, as I can not afford it.
After doing my research, and buying the best fit for my need, I thought I share my general observations.
I would also like to see what other people would like to see brought to market for tractors.
Tractors Like cars will be getting smarter. Big Ag. is already taking advantage of this, so their will be trickle down to the smaller machines. That whole topic is beyond the scope of this post.
So that leaves Cup holders.
Seriously, Ergonomics must not be a foremost thought in the design of ractors.
Comfort, Reach location of controls etc. What are some manufactures thinking.
What about supplying Pre Wired and labeled wiring harness extra tie in points and Spots to mount extra lights and tool Boxes.
Don't the dealers want to sell Accessories? I'd pay more for well integrated stuff, designed an built with quality that integrates with the tractor.
Now regarding the tractors themselves.
Transmissions.
Gear vs. Hydro is not the only option. Kubota has a good thing with the GST and their 3 Speed two range hydro, so you have essential six ranges. What about a smart GST type transmission, Throttle and gear selection based on load, forward speed based on a foot "drive by wire throttle rheostat"
European tractors seem to have the edge in the use of CVT.
The tipping point on the decision to purchase Mahindra Max 28 beside capabilities and price was the 8 speeds forward and reverse. Aside from Kubota, there are no other manufactures offering a anything beside a 3 X 2 Gear or 2 Speed hydro in the small compact segment.
I can understand offering a light minimum feature tractor for general field mowing and light chores as an economy entry, but it also in each size range a workhorse model that has lots of features built on s different frame if need be should be part of the lineup.
Generally tractors have way to small a front tire and front axle/ power steering for serious loader work.
Not to pick on LS, they make a nice tractor, but as a typical example rear to front size difference like this is too much:
Their G Series uses:
Ag Front/Rear: 7 14 / 11.2 24
Industrial Front/Rear: 25 x 8.5 14 / 43 x 16 20
Turf Front/Rear: 25 x 8.5 14/ 41 x 14 20
I suggest for instance:
Ag Front/Rear: 9.5 - 16/ 11.2 24
Industrial Front/Rear: 10 x 16.5 / 43 x 16 20
Turf Front/Rear: 28 x 8.5 15/ 41 x 14 20
Note that the LS R series tractor has less of a difference between front and rear tire size, and a noticeable difference in FEL capacity, without that much of an increase in machine size.
On my new Max 28 XL, I would have appreciated having 25 x 8.5-14 front tires in place of 23x8.5-12, for better floatation & traction.
All Loaders seriously begs for a 4 Link Pivot at the bucket pivot and that the bucket attachment be a standard Skid Steer QA system for versatility and articulation.
Loader curl strength / lifting capacity should be increased, so you can use the curl to break out of a pile. I recognize lift ability is limited by safety concerns but too many tractors have loaders so weak they don稚 even need ballast.
Why not offer loaders with pressures set low from the factory, with anti tampering hardware on the reliefs, such that only a dealer can change, if and only if the tractor is sold with proper ballast. That puts safety responsibilities on the owner/operator while allowing the machine to use its full capabilities.
Regarding PTO HP and 3Pt hitch capacity, hydraulics & remotes, I am suspired how much difference in specs exist for a given size of tractor the amongst the offerings.
The post is already too long to get into back hoes. Needless to say there are some scary and useless ones out there and some that are thought out and well matched to the machine.
Manufactures need to realize that a poorly executed TLB on a otherwise nice base tractor is a lost sale.
Tractor purchase is something I do not do often; thank God for that, as I can not afford it.
After doing my research, and buying the best fit for my need, I thought I share my general observations.
I would also like to see what other people would like to see brought to market for tractors.
Tractors Like cars will be getting smarter. Big Ag. is already taking advantage of this, so their will be trickle down to the smaller machines. That whole topic is beyond the scope of this post.
So that leaves Cup holders.
Seriously, Ergonomics must not be a foremost thought in the design of ractors.
Comfort, Reach location of controls etc. What are some manufactures thinking.
What about supplying Pre Wired and labeled wiring harness extra tie in points and Spots to mount extra lights and tool Boxes.
Don't the dealers want to sell Accessories? I'd pay more for well integrated stuff, designed an built with quality that integrates with the tractor.
Now regarding the tractors themselves.
Transmissions.
Gear vs. Hydro is not the only option. Kubota has a good thing with the GST and their 3 Speed two range hydro, so you have essential six ranges. What about a smart GST type transmission, Throttle and gear selection based on load, forward speed based on a foot "drive by wire throttle rheostat"
European tractors seem to have the edge in the use of CVT.
The tipping point on the decision to purchase Mahindra Max 28 beside capabilities and price was the 8 speeds forward and reverse. Aside from Kubota, there are no other manufactures offering a anything beside a 3 X 2 Gear or 2 Speed hydro in the small compact segment.
I can understand offering a light minimum feature tractor for general field mowing and light chores as an economy entry, but it also in each size range a workhorse model that has lots of features built on s different frame if need be should be part of the lineup.
Generally tractors have way to small a front tire and front axle/ power steering for serious loader work.
Not to pick on LS, they make a nice tractor, but as a typical example rear to front size difference like this is too much:
Their G Series uses:
Ag Front/Rear: 7 14 / 11.2 24
Industrial Front/Rear: 25 x 8.5 14 / 43 x 16 20
Turf Front/Rear: 25 x 8.5 14/ 41 x 14 20
I suggest for instance:
Ag Front/Rear: 9.5 - 16/ 11.2 24
Industrial Front/Rear: 10 x 16.5 / 43 x 16 20
Turf Front/Rear: 28 x 8.5 15/ 41 x 14 20
Note that the LS R series tractor has less of a difference between front and rear tire size, and a noticeable difference in FEL capacity, without that much of an increase in machine size.
On my new Max 28 XL, I would have appreciated having 25 x 8.5-14 front tires in place of 23x8.5-12, for better floatation & traction.
All Loaders seriously begs for a 4 Link Pivot at the bucket pivot and that the bucket attachment be a standard Skid Steer QA system for versatility and articulation.
Loader curl strength / lifting capacity should be increased, so you can use the curl to break out of a pile. I recognize lift ability is limited by safety concerns but too many tractors have loaders so weak they don稚 even need ballast.
Why not offer loaders with pressures set low from the factory, with anti tampering hardware on the reliefs, such that only a dealer can change, if and only if the tractor is sold with proper ballast. That puts safety responsibilities on the owner/operator while allowing the machine to use its full capabilities.
Regarding PTO HP and 3Pt hitch capacity, hydraulics & remotes, I am suspired how much difference in specs exist for a given size of tractor the amongst the offerings.
The post is already too long to get into back hoes. Needless to say there are some scary and useless ones out there and some that are thought out and well matched to the machine.
Manufactures need to realize that a poorly executed TLB on a otherwise nice base tractor is a lost sale.
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