Ok, so whats the deal with the NorTrac tractors?

[sd455dan]

Got a hold of someone from nortrac this morning. From 2000-2010 the tractors were Jimna. The tractors past 2010 are foton. Northern tool website doesnt list the repair centers for these tractors but according to the guy I talked to there was a couple repair centers in the nearest big city to me which is surprising. He said it comes with a detailed repair manual that lists every part and how it goes on. When i asked why nortracs tractors are so inexpensive compared to other brands he said because the other brands use a lot of fancy stuff like hydrostatic transmissions and electronics. He said these tractors are very basic and designed to be easy to work on and use similar designs from back in the 60's and 70's. Also said the 55xt and 70xt are new tractors that just came in and they dont have loaders yet because they're currently being designed by a company called koyker. He said all the parts for repairs are readily available from northern tool.

Koykers are built in South Dakota and have a good reputation , I did see (one) thread for a very small tractor where the owner bent the lift cylinders.

I have used and overworked the K2 Koyker loader on my Rhino- and it has been a tough and capable unit for 20+ years already.

 

[zonta223]

Well I have both a Foton and Kubota tractors. The Kubota has had a bad front diff and now has chipped a tooth in first gear. (to costly to repair) so have to work around it by selecting other gears.
The Foton has had one O ring on the four wheel drive selector replaced.
The Foton came with DVD's showing how to do the basic service work also shows indepth how to repair the clutch/gearbox etc.
I grow grapes commercially and could not be without my Foton and it has never let me down.
I think people should look at the pedigree of the Foton Lovel group. They are not just some backyard company that uses scrap parts and builds its tractors in an old shed with dirt floors.
Look at this link..............Inside Cummins: This Is Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Company - YouTube that shows what this company is doing.
And should I be worried about low second prices.Never I keep my tractor for a long time and work them hard its not like a car you upgrade every 3 years.
So I am happy with my tractor and laugh ever time I see the prices on the green and gold iron.

 

[sd455dan]

Hope the OP enjoys the new Kubota L4701, or whatever he ends up with.

Although the Nortrac may have worked OK to,

Nortrac does need to get their web pages info straightened out on the tractors they offer for sale.


I do think if the track width was actually as narrow as the site showed for the 50 hp model that it would have been a bit tippy on side hills.

 

[kenmac]

Quality tractors built in a state of the art factory with quality control cost more .

Cheap tractors built in a less than state of the art factory with little quality control cost less

 

[northernsierras]

OP here...ended up buying a kubota L4701. Main reason for this over the nortracs was the new model in the 45-55hp range wouldnt have loaders available until late this summer. If they had offered them now i would have bought one.

 

[kenmac]

IMO AS far as quality .You bought a much better tractor

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IMO AS far as quality .You bought a much better tractor

NO question about that! At all!

SR

 

[sd455dan]

OP here...ended up buying a kubota L4701. Main reason for this over the nortracs was the new model in the 45-55hp range wouldn't have loaders available until late this summer. If they had offered them now i would have bought one.

Congrats on the New Kubota , they are pretty much considered the best (overall) CUT tractor brand on TBN no argument from me there.
My only minor complaint from looking at (some) Bota's is they seem to be a bit light in weight compared to (some competitors), Light is great if you do a lot of mowing/ brush cutting. Not so much if lifting max weight with your FEL and transporting that weight over uneven ground.

Another great thing is you will have much of the resale down the road to- if you decide to sell or trade a Kubota in several years, Not sure that is totally true in the 1st couple years?


Now concerning the Nortrac

I have never seen (in person) a Foton ,

My concern after looking at a couple vids of the earlier 50? HP cabbed model was It did appear to be equipped with a VERY narrow front axle, the 45 inch quoted in the ad may be correct.

Personally would not want a tractor with that HP and a cab with that narrow of a front axle.

i checked out a vid of that size of Foton and it sure looked to be built with a very narrow front track width.

If you have hills on the property that you would be operating it on, safety would be a concern. That is jmo though

I can understand Koyker taking time making sure they get it right the 1st time. Moved some 1200+ square hay bales with mine just yesterday

Anyway Congrats again on your new tractor and Welcome to TBN and Tractor ownership,

Soon you will wonder how you Ever got by without one. and if I can make another recommendation or 2 -

Get the Kubota with remotes a SS quick attach bucket and also a Grapple


ps.. also put as heavy weight on the 3 point as you can find- my favorite is an 1100lb. ancient Gannon box blade. implements don't have to be new to work great and money can be saved there.:thumbsup:

 

[kenmac]

he can always load the tires and most likely have enough weight to match the loaders lift capacity.If not, I think he also bought a cutter or a box blade he can hang behind it

 

[Oldpath05]

Kubota's still made in Japan aren't they? I was hoping the OP would of bought the Nortrac tractor so there would be a first on hands quality review. Someone here needs to man up and buy one, I would but I have milk in the refrigerator.