My Thoughts On Modern Day Tractors

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I should probably start another thread to discuss this but it relates back to my first post so I am going to keep it here. Here is another example of much better spec'd tractors being offered to Europe but not to us. The question is why?

 

[Torvy]

Here are some possible explanations in no particular order...
1) Regulatory differences - in some things, Europe may be stricter, but not all
2) Market differences - the US tends toward bigger, the market for 50+ HP is huge. Less so in Europe. Some of this is geographic, some is more cultural. As such, the competition in Europe, as a % of the market, is toward these smaller footprint tractors...the demand in Europe drives the supply...manufacturers have to make choices, for every small tractor they build, that means fewer large tractors. Here, that means less profit.
3) consumer demand - as above demand often pushes supply. There simply are too few North Americans clamoring for these. Most likely they have done focus groups and market research, the volume does not justify adding these and deleting something else...it is all about choice
4) poor management - given the success of Kubota, this is not likely, but some corporations have too little communication between divisions on different continents. They operate in isolation and miss opportunities.
5) People are stubborn and change is hard. This reminds me of the roundabout thread...they have used them a great deal in Europe, but less so in the US, especially in the Western US. Changing now, but many don't like it.

 

[IndyJay]

I should probably start another thread to discuss this but it relates back to my first post so I am going to keep it here. Here is another example of much better spec'd tractors being offered to Europe but not to us. The question is why?

I noticed this with the Kioti DK10 Series. Identical models vary greatly in feature and options between US and EU. The US DK10 shuttle has only two ranges limiting us to 8x8 gears while EU has 4 ranges providing 16x16 gears, much like my 27 year old MF1250. The EU model has a rocker switch for activating 4WD which also lights up an indicator in the dash, the US version has the indicator which lights up when you first turn on the key, but with a manual lever to engage 4WD, the light serves only to confuse new owners who wonder why their 4WD isn't working. The rocker switch alternately actives a Quick Steer feature also missing in US, providing yet another "fully functional" indicator light with no purpose. There are other differences that are found in the schematics and repair manual but these are most noticeeable due to the dash lights telling us that something is missing.

 

[prestond]

As you might guess from my Avatar, Ventrac gets my vote.

The Ventrac videos are a true representation of what the machine can do. I've had mine for over a year now and I am still amazed at what I can get done with that machine.

Hill stability, light footprint (dual wheel option), front mount PTO, easy and fast attachment changes, lots of attachment options, I could go on and on.

I can't imagine owing any thing else for 'estate management'. Some balk at the price, but I say it's worth every penny.

 

[FreeWulf]

I've noticed a similar problem in my own searches. It seems like most of the newer tractors today are focused on about 30HP at the PTO. That is way too small for me. I got by using a 35HP massey for years, and always felt it was underpowered with the rotary mower. A 5' mower would fairly regularly kill the motor if I wasn't careful about how much grass I was cutting at once.

The loaders at that size don't have much capacity. I lost count of how many times the neighbor asked if we could bring the backhoe over because their little loader would only lift 300lbs! Yes I know 30HP can lift more than that, but they're still underpowered at the loader.

All the HP specs today focus on the engine, not the PTO. I could care less what the engine horsepower is, I want to know how big of a mower I can pull, so I can get the field done as quickly as possible.

My desired specs are pretty simple. 50HP at the PTO, under 7,000lbs, and can lift 3,000lbs or close to it. Anything less than that feels underpowered to me. I'm not knocking those that use smaller tractors, that's just what I'm looking for.

 

[ptsg]

I've noticed a similar problem in my own searches. It seems like most of the newer tractors today are focused on about 30HP at the PTO. That is way too small for me. I got by using a 35HP massey for years, and always felt it was underpowered with the rotary mower. A 5' mower would fairly regularly kill the motor if I wasn't careful about how much grass I was cutting at once.

The loaders at that size don't have much capacity. I lost count of how many times the neighbor asked if we could bring the backhoe over because their little loader would only lift 300lbs! Yes I know 30HP can lift more than that, but they're still underpowered at the loader.

All the HP specs today focus on the engine, not the PTO. I could care less what the engine horsepower is, I want to know how big of a mower I can pull, so I can get the field done as quickly as possible.

My desired specs are pretty simple. 50HP at the PTO, under 7,000lbs, and can lift 3,000lbs or close to it. Anything less than that feels underpowered to me. I'm not knocking those that use smaller tractors, that's just what I'm looking for.

Check out the Branson 5835R if you have a dealer nearby.

58 engine HP and 48 HP at the PTO. 3,400 lbs loader capacity at max height and 5,800 lbs including the loader, with filled tires will get somewhat close to 7000 lbs.

Here is the specs. The Branson website sucks but the dealers' websites are good source for specs. Branson 5835R Tractor Loader - Keno Tractors

 

[deserteagle71]

My desired specs are pretty simple. 50HP at the PTO, under 7,000lbs, and can lift 3,000lbs or close to it. Anything less than that feels underpowered to me. I'm not knocking those that use smaller tractors, that's just what I'm looking for.

Good luck in finding that 3000 lb lift capacity front end loader in any smaller tractor.

 

[CADplans]

Good luck in finding that 3000 lb lift capacity front end loader in any smaller tractor.

My IH 584 has a Model 2250 loader on it,, and from using it, I would say the loaders capacity is,,,
2250 pounds.

I have used this machine for 25 years,, no way it will lift 3,000 pounds.
The entire machine, with loader, and filled tires weighs right at 10,000 pounds.

I am sure I could lift more "part way up",, etc,, but, I am just offering real world experience, with a specific machine.

 

[FreeWulf]

Check out the Branson 5835R if you have a dealer nearby.

58 engine HP and 48 HP at the PTO. 3,400 lbs loader capacity at max height and 5,800 lbs including the loader, with filled tires will get somewhat close to 7000 lbs.

Here is the specs. The Branson website sucks but the dealers' websites are good source for specs. Branson 5835R Tractor Loader - Keno Tractors

Thanks, I'm sure it's out of my price range, but that's good to know, I'll check it out.

My IH 584 has a Model 2250 loader on it,, and from using it, I would say the loaders capacity is,,,
2250 pounds.

I have used this machine for 25 years,, no way it will lift 3,000 pounds.
The entire machine, with loader, and filled tires weighs right at 10,000 pounds.

I am sure I could lift more "part way up",, etc,, but, I am just offering real world experience, with a specific machine.

That is such a beautiful 584. I love it. It's about perfect for what I'm looking for too.

I only need to lift about 2,000lbs, but I'd like to lift more. I also don't need to lift 3000 at full height, just about flatbed height. 3,000 is what I'm aiming for but I may have to give up some of that. I know I'll have to have a counterweight for that too.

 

[Xfaxman]

Rotary cutters don't do well on my property. I need a flail for the kind of vegetation and terrain that I have.

Out front mowers are the best in my experience: toolcat flail - Image Search
Toolcat costs more, but you get what you pay for, a cab and no DEF or regens.
And it will lift over 3000 pounds according to my crane scale.