Cadillac of tractors?

[TripleR]

According to that statement, nothing above a sub-compact is manufactured in the USA. Where are the compacts manufactured and assembled?

Although this is a moot point, again, it's how well they are designed and how well they are assembled and what tolerances they require of their suppliers.

Even with that you can have a solid design that's awkward or a burden to operate or use.
I'm not picking on Kubota, I don't own one but I don't like the toe/heel controls personally and I've heard many people feel the same way as I do.

Rob

The problem with not liking something you don't own is pretty obvious. My wife did not like the heel and toe operation of the Kubota either until we bought one and now she much prefers it to the two pedal HST on our John Deere. Enough people seem to like it to make Kubota pretty successful.

I don't like the left foot brakes on a John Deere, but many do, so it is not a bad design, just something I don't personally like having used one equipped this way for several years.

 

[Rob-D]

"The problem with not liking something you don't own is pretty obvious."

Not really, look at the percentage of impulse buyers in the world, ever heard of "buyer remorse"?
It's the result of the back integrative cortex of the brain which requires reflection and reflection takes time. The quickest answer, purchase or solution is not always the best. The best solution is the result of deeper introspection and reflection.
We may buy something, a high ticket item for example, and simply live with it and our mistake.

I don't like the left foot brakes on a John Deere, but many do, so it is not a bad design, just something I don't personally like having used one equipped this way for several years.

Actually it's ergonomics. What would you rather do, stand on your toes or the flat of your foot? It's different muscle groups and there is more strength in the flat of a foot than pressing on the ball of the foot because in the latter you're using the leg muscles to push the pedal and in the former you are using the ankle muscles.

The true test would be independent individuals holding both positions to see which one tires the individual faster, for example. We already know that standing on the ball of the foot is more tiring a priori.

Rob

 

[TripleR]

"The problem with not liking something you don't own is pretty obvious."

Not really, look at the percentage of impulse buyers in the world, ever heard of "buyer remorse"?
It's the result of the back integrative cortex of the brain which requires reflection and reflection takes time. The quickest answer, purchase or solution is not always the best. The best solution is the result of deeper introspection and reflection.
We may buy something, a high ticket item for example, and simply live with it and our mistake.

I don't like the left foot brakes on a John Deere, but many do, so it is not a bad design, just something I don't personally like having used one equipped this way for several years.

Actually it's ergonomics. What would you rather do, stand on your toes or the flat of your foot? It's different muscle groups and there is more strength in the flat of a foot than pressing on the ball of the foot because in the latter you're using the leg muscles to push the pedal and in the former you are using the ankle muscles.

The true test would be independent individuals holding both positions to see which one tires the individual faster, for example. We already know that standing on the ball of the foot is more tiring a priori.

Rob

I think you may have over thought and over explained that a mite. You can can couch it in whatever vernacular you choose, but the bottom line is, it is hard to tell whether you are going to like something until you use it regardless of what someone elses experience has been/is.

The inference that Kubota's design is inferior based on a few complaints is in error as would be such an inference about a design feature on another model. Design flaws do not continue and remain popular year after year to the extent that the Kubota has.

As to the location of the brakes whether on one side or the other and relation to standing on the balls of your feet or flats, you lost me on that one.

 

[Rob-D]

I think you may have over thought and over explained that a mite. You can can couch it in whatever vernacular you choose, but the bottom line is, it is hard to tell whether you are going to like something until you use it regardless of what someone elses experience has been/is.

The inference that Kubota's design is inferior based on a few complaints is in error as would be such an inference about a design feature on another model. Design flaws do not continue and remain popular year after year to the extent that the Kubota has.

As to the location of the brakes whether on one side or the other and relation to standing on the balls of your feet or flats, you lost me on that one.

Heel and toe pedals, balls of your feet.

It's not a matter of liking something until you try it. Yes, we all do that and it's not a matter of whether Kubota is a good or bad tractor, that's up to the buyer but ergonomics is a different story. If you love your Kubota I am happy for you, that's all that counts but if you want to talk about ergonomics and buyer remorse than that's another story too. (I'm not implying Kubota buyers have remorse! I'm sure they are as happy or unhappy as any other buyers.)

In my view other tractors have better ergonomics than Kubota's but you own a Kubota and I don't just for that reason.

Rob

 

[Builder]

According to that statement, nothing above a sub-compact is manufactured in the USA. Where are the compacts manufactured and assembled?

Although this is a moot point, again, it's how well they are designed and how well they are assembled and what tolerances they require of their suppliers.

Even with that you can have a solid design that's awkward or a burden to operate or use.
I'm not picking on Kubota, I don't own one but I don't like the toe/heel controls personally and I've heard many people feel the same way as I do.

Rob

Let's set the record straight. I'm in no way implying Kubota is American made. I'm on my 4th Kubota and only one gave me a few problems. My L-35 liked to leak through the front seals and drip on the driveway. Otherwise built like strong bull.
My response was only to show that Kubota is heavily invested in the USA. My M-7040 is almost completely Japanese made. Darn nice machine, too. It also has American loader, tires and other parts on it, but the bulk of it is Japanese.

 

[Rob-D]

Look, that's what's important, isn't it? We could talk all night about the best tractor and the answer is the best tractor for me.

I respect everyone's choice and I hope they are as happy with their machines as I am with mine regardless of where it's made. They all have good and bad aspects but in the end if you get on it and have a ball, and isn't that what makes us all smile, than there's not much left to discuss!

Rob

 

[buck12]

All this arguing about American made or not when the thread is "Cadillac of tractors". What percent of a Cadillac is American made?

 

[beppington]

All this arguing about American made or not when the thread is "Cadillac of tractors". What percent of a Cadillac is American made?

The thing is, I (the OP) was looking for the "Cadillac* of Tractors" regardless of where it's made - I can't even remember how the where-it's-made part came up in this thread! And I'm not going back to look either!

* In reality, the BMW or Mercedes of tractors, as I've never actually thought Cadillacs were all that great.

 

[Soundguy]

All this arguing about American made or not when the thread is "Cadillac of tractors". What percent of a Cadillac is American made?

hey.. it's made by 'GM'.. Government motors right?


soundguy

 

[Builder]

All this arguing about American made or not when the thread is "Cadillac of tractors". What percent of a Cadillac is American made?

My guess would be north of 80%. Not bad considering we've done everything possible to drive industry off American soil.