What needs to be changed the most on a tractor?

[skipro3]

Since I had the chance to design my garage, I had the door 1 inch taller than my tractor's ROPS. SWEET!!

Sensors to determine load on each wheel in order to see how close you are to loosing it would be awesome!!

A buzzer when you put the tractor in motion but the brake is still set. I can't tell you the # of times I've driven around with my brake on, only to wonder why the tractor doesn't seem to have the power it had earlier that day or the day before.. Doh!!!

 

[texasjohn]

Researcher, welcome to TBN Might expand your personal profile... it helps folks answer questions to know some of your background.

You must have had a reason you asked the question... wanna expand on it??

OK..I see you are a design student...

Sexiest idea so far is the front/rear load sensor... would indicate weight being lifted with FEL (I've always wondered exactly how much various bales of hay weigh), would indicate if tractor and implements are properly balanced, could be hooked to warning buzzer if off balance condition is sensed. It would be a safety thing... for the beginner... and the tired/overconfident/new situation experienced operator.

Buzzer for attempted motion while parking brake is set would be a winner.... something I would appreciate at least 3 times a week. I know of no tractor that has that feature.

Lack of 4wd status light on electronic dash is simply an oversight... passenger vehicles all have this.

 

[RobertN]

If you had the choice to change one thing on a tractor (the way something looks or functions) what would it be?

Primary - more power. Mine is a mid 80's Kubota, similar in size to the B2910. But, I only have 19hp... Mostly for more power on the PTO.

Secondary - clamshell loader(4 in 1). Used one on a skidsteer; really adds a lot to the tractor.

Best thing done so far:
Loader - bought mine without a loader(paid cash for what I could afford). Added the loader a couple years later. No way would I get another without a loader

TnT - Would never have a CUT again without rear hydraulic adjust.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...need a bunch more tool boxes built in... inside and out... and attachment points for others...

Amen to that! It seems that few of the CUT's have toolboxes, and if they do they are too small to really be useful. Who needs a tractor and doesn't need tools????

 

[N80]

I'll also give an amen to the toolbox thing. And this would be so simple. Cheap.

Likewise, amen to the parking brake and 4wd light or buzzer. Simple. Cheap.

JD, I'm one of those Luddites that feel that the more "fly-by-wire" we get the weaker the overall system is so when I hear about things like variable geometry tire systems, center differentials, hydraulic ride hieght adjustments ect, the only things that come to mind are: more expensive to buy, easier to break, harder to fix. I like the simple, cheap, obvious things that should make tractor engineers go "doh" like Homer Simpson.

And yet, the roll bar on some of the prior Mercedes convertables comes to mind. It flies up and locks into place if the car tilts to a certain degree. With one of these on a tractor it would be like having no ROPs at all until you needed it!

 

[dqdave1]

Likewise, amen to the parking brake and 4wd light or buzzer. Simple. Cheap.

Backup alarm ( I am sure it is coming)

audible alarm for low fuel

Air intake sensor to let you know it is time to change air filter; Many cars have these now.

higher amperage alternators, most owners add lighting.

Seats that hold up better ( seat always seems to be most worn item on a used unit)

All hydro units with brakes on left foot.

dielectric grease on all electrical connections.

 

[N80]

higher amperage alternators, most owners add lighting.

How about just better lighting so we don't have to add any? Every tractor should have, at the very very least a work light as standard equipment. And quite frankly, any tractor that comes with a loader should have lights somewhere other than right on the front, which are blocked by the bucket.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I want both brakes to lock via the park lever so I can leave the brakes unjoined and still use both to park. The customary setup is occasionally dangerous when working on hills with use of individual brakes. Also I think tractors should have a parking gear to positively lock the wheels. Many brakes are not adequate to overcome tractor traction - pushing with B/H will move the tractor.
larry

 

[Soundguy]

Buzzer for attempted motion while parking brake is set would be a winner.... something I would appreciate at least 3 times a week. I know of no tractor that has that feature. .

man.. i load test my parking brakes at least once a month! ARGH!!!

soundguy

 

[jinman]

After not having a quick-attach loader bucket and now having one, I think a QA attachment that would work for all tractors would be nice. Nothing I have has increased my productivity quite like the QA. Why is it that we can have a standard 3PH in class I, II, III, etc and not have a QA for the FEL that works similarly for small, medium, and large tractors. The fact that there are about 4 or 5 "standards" for FEL QA really does NOT serve the users well. It only supports OEM's pocketbooks.

Another item that needs work is attaching backhoes. Why does that have to be a struggle? I don't have one, but I sure read about a lot of folks who struggle to attach and remove their backhoes. Why can't an easy mount backhoe be designed?

I think most of us use our tractors as "Swiss army knives" for many different tasks. Make changing tractor configurations easy and sell it to OEMs. You'll retire among the very rich.