Can the Japanese or Indians build better tractors?

[ovrszd]

While it seems easy to just "blame the corporations" all the time, I still maintain that it's ultimately up to the consumers and end users. As long as people are buying those products at that quality level, there's not much incentive for the corporations to change anything. They are only going to build what will sell. If consumers demand better quality and refuse to buy the lesser, then the corporations will have no choice but to build what will sell.

Unfortunately, I don't see that changing anytime soon. Most people shop based on price first.

Oh yeah, I definitely agree. Now you are step farther down the road. That too is Capitalism at it's finest. "Produce what sells".

My point is it's not the factories fault the quality is at a substandard level. If it were, the corporation would find a different factory.

 

[DavesTractor]

Guys, I think the stats for Mahindra total tractor sales are genuine and they are not including the 2 wheel tractors. I think JD and Kubota even acknowledge that Mahindra is the volume leader worldwide for under 80 HP tractors by brand by unit count. Not by dollar volume. And a lot of this count is tractors sold in India and they would typically be 40-50 HP 2wd tractors of the simple variety. But real tractors. In the USA, Mahindra is #3, but the gap between #2 and #3 is a big gap.

When you go to India, you see that most farms are smaller and are worked with a lot of hand labor and smaller tractors. JD has a decent market share in India and they have been there at least a couple of decades, but Mahindra has almost 50% market share in the largest tractor market in the world. Dollar wise it is not the largest market, just by simple tractor count.

But I think this thread is about quality, not volume, so I am sorry if I side tracked it.

 

[ovrszd]

No sidetrack at all to me. Great discussion.

 

[sawtooth]

Some John Deere tractors are made with their specifications, tooling and guidance in India. Would they be as well built as American made tractors? I don't see why not.

No they are definitely not. The concept seems great but to carry through all the quality controls standards etc through the entire process from individual manufactured part to completed assembly it's next to impossible. As a ex John Deere supplier I know first hand. Same goes for all the other suppliers doing the same. As for Kubota I am not a fan of them myself as most of their equipment is built light in weight, however quality wise there are none built better. Some of the newer AG series are becoming heavier made so I may take a look at these myself.

 

[ovrszd]

No they are definitely not. The concept seems great but to carry through all the quality controls standards etc through the entire process from individual manufactured part to completed assembly it's next to impossible. As a ex John Deere supplier I know first hand. Same goes for all the other suppliers doing the same. As for Kubota I am not a fan of them myself as most of their equipment is built light in weight, however quality wise there are none built better. Some of the newer AG series are becoming heavier made so I may take a look at these myself.

Well said.

I also agree concerning the weight/HP ratio of Kubota tractors. In 40HP and under tractors that usually works in their favor. In the larger tractors not so much. In it's original state my M9540 was much too light to properly use the FEL. I've added 1800lbs of fluid and weights to the rear wheels and it is much more stable.

I keep threatening to make a trip to the Kubota dealer 45 miles away to see the new M series Kubotas. They are working hard to crowd into the AG class.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota needs to add 5,000 pounds of chassis weight and beef up the rear for dual wheels before Deere and Case will feel challenged in big ag tractors.

 

[ovrszd]

Kubota needs to add 5,000 pounds of chassis weight and beef up the rear for dual wheels before Deere and Case will feel challenged in big ag tractors.

Yep, but then we have to determine the definition of "big ag tractors". To me that's 250+hp FWA or Center Pivot. I don't think Kubota is shooting that target, yet.

I believe the M7 can easily handle rear duals. Would probably need some additional chassis weight as most brands do in the 200-hp range.

 

[olPete]

Yep, but then we have to determine the definition of "big ag tractors". To me that's 250+hp FWA or Center Pivot. I don't think Kubota is shooting that target, yet.

I believe the M7 can easily handle rear duals. Would probably need some additional chassis weight as most brands do in the 200-hp range.

Rumour from the UK suggests that they could well be....having acquired a couple of implements companies, word is they're now eyeing up a larger tractor manufacturer to paint orange....

 

[adventure bob]

look at all the hay gear they're selling now to include some bigger round bailers

 

[olPete]

look at all the hay gear they're selling now to include some bigger round bailers

Exactly, their business success isn't all down to exchange rate!!