The perfect tractor.

[Ortimber]

While I like the thought (I’m a gear head), I don’t think this business model is sustainable.

How about pick the best of the best older tractors, and build a company to support those?

 

[texasranger556]

I'll be interested to see what you come up with. I also agree with the other posts that a large portion of the market you're targeting who want to maintain their own machine are more likely to want to own them outright rather than make a payment, especially not 12 years no matter how great it is. They value the independence from both dealer and bank, and perhaps even the restrictive terms and conditions associated with a warranty. It's part of the reason I buy used stuff. I can maintain and modify as I see fit without fear of voiding a warranty.

The other problem I see is you're at the mercy of your suppliers to not modify or discontinue components over the lofty product lifetime you're aiming for, unless you sign long term contracts which aren't free. I deal with that at my day job. Big industry push to use COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) to cut down development costs, but it burns you on the back end if a component you're using gets discontinued. Then you're stuck buying lifetime spares or re-designing your product to use another COTS device. Pay now or pay later, nothing is free.

Keep us posted with what you decide to do, sounds like an interesting concept.

 

[Ddoherty135]

Hi. Im an entreprenuer, inventor, and think tank member. Myself and a parter of mine at work have collaborated on a few ideas and were both recently discussing the idea of prototyping a bulletproof hobby farm tractor. I/E a tractor like those of old that will run forever with easy maintenance and the owner can perform all major maintenance with shops that exist in every garage.

We dont want to reinvent the wheel and decades of innovation and evolution of the family farm tractor.

We would simply like to build a 35-60hp tractor that takes the best assets of the past and merge them into one machine that would essentially be a one time purchase 100 year life expectancy tractor.

If the prototype is successful we would like to start a small business.

Right now we are in the research phase to establish a need and a market for such a machine.

So how can you help make our research make it to the design stage?


Below, please answer the 7 questions as simply as possible for our prelimary research.

Remember 60 hp and below, the more hours and years on your equipment the better we will be able to design.

1. What tractor that you have experience with is considered the most reliable after the most years of service or hard use? The MF135. After 60 years work, and 3 months untouched, mine still starts on the button.


2.What functions on your tractor have been broken the longest? The Electrics

3.What are the most annoying/dangerous and uncomfortable thing about your machine? The clutch needs replaced, but apart from that...

4. What maintenance have you performed that was more difficult, came too often, was unusually expensive, or too time consuming to be considered practical? It's an MF 135, that doesn't happen.

5. If your tractor were to be found in a field 100 years from now, what things would still be functional? In all honesty, the engine, it is THAT RELIABLE AND GOOD!

6. What in your personal opinion is the most RELIABLE gas or diesel engine ever to be found on a 30-60 hp tractor? The Perkins AD3 152, the one in my 135

7. Finally. What machines of the past do you consider the most bulletproof and easiest to maintain for someone whom hasnt been formally trained as a mechanic?as you've guessed by now, the MF 135

I'm not joking about that engine, it is BULLETPROOF!

If anyone from MF is reading this, i'll accept gifts, no problem...

 

[Ddoherty135]

That would be a start, but I'm pretty sure they have 4 wheel independent suspension and substandard belly armor.

I don't know, the MF 135 was bulletproof, THE choice for farmers all over Ireland, maybe an up-to-date version of that? Many people would like to see the 135 go into production again...

 

[Agvg]

The MF35 witch is still in production is pretty close to a 135, but if they could sell them I EU probably very few would be sold, pepoles nostalgic thoughts very seldom sell an expensive machine. And those old MF are proper tractors, designed in the fifties and would cost quite much made in a modern factory like MF has in France. But I love my MF135

 

[Agvg]

The other problem I see is you're at the mercy of your suppliers to not modify or discontinue components over the lofty product lifetime you're aiming for, unless you sign long term contracts which aren't free. I deal with that at my day job. Big industry push to use COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) to cut down development costs, but it burns you on the back end if a component you're using gets discontinued. Then you're stuck buying lifetime spares or re-designing your product to use another COTS device. Pay now or pay later, nothing is free.

Keep us posted with what you decide to do, sounds like an interesting concept.

But there are some industri standards on hydraulic pumps and other parts?

The Germans has a lot of DIN standards they use, to day this goes under ISO I believe.

 

[stonewallgreyfox]

Very interested in this!

 

[ededic]

Hi. Im an entreprenuer, inventor, and think tank member. Myself and a parter of mine at work have collaborated on a few ideas and were both recently discussing the idea of prototyping a bulletproof hobby farm tractor. I/E a tractor like those of old that will run forever with easy maintenance and the owner can perform all major maintenance with shops that exist in every garage.

We dont want to reinvent the wheel and decades of innovation and evolution of the family farm tractor.

We would simply like to build a 35-60hp tractor that takes the best assets of the past and merge them into one machine that would essentially be a one time purchase 100 year life expectancy tractor.

If the prototype is successful we would like to start a small business.

Right now we are in the research phase to establish a need and a market for such a machine.

So how can you help make our research make it to the design stage?


Below, please answer the 7 questions as simply as possible for our prelimary research.

Remember 60 hp and below, the more hours and years on your equipment the better we will be able to design.

1. What tractor that you have experience with is considered the most reliable after the most years of service or hard use?


2.What functions on your tractor have been broken the longest?

3.What are the most annoying/dangerous and uncomfortable thing about your machine?

4. What maintenance have you performed that was more difficult, came too often, was unusually expensive, or too time consuming to be considered practical?

5. If your tractor were to be found in a field 100 years from now, what things would still be functional?

6. What in your personal opinion is the most RELIABLE gas or diesel engine ever to be found on a 30-60 hp tractor?

7. Finally. What machines of the past do you consider the most bulletproof and easiest to maintain for someone whom hasnt been formally trained as a mechanic?

Ben Franklin, Tesla, Edison is knocking at your door asking you what you want/think and this is how you respond? Put your thick heads together and take your knowledge and help build something! Many of you have tore this IDEA apart like you have used it. Unbelievable!!

 

[ededic]

Hi. Im an entreprenuer, inventor, and think tank member. Myself and a parter of mine at work have collaborated on a few ideas and were both recently discussing the idea of prototyping a bulletproof hobby farm tractor. I/E a tractor like those of old that will run forever with easy maintenance and the owner can perform all major maintenance with shops that exist in every garage.

We dont want to reinvent the wheel and decades of innovation and evolution of the family farm tractor.

We would simply like to build a 35-60hp tractor that takes the best assets of the past and merge them into one machine that would essentially be a one time purchase 100 year life expectancy tractor.

If the prototype is successful we would like to start a small business.

Right now we are in the research phase to establish a need and a market for such a machine.

So how can you help make our research make it to the design stage?


Below, please answer the 7 questions as simply as possible for our prelimary research.

Remember 60 hp and below, the more hours and years on your equipment the better we will be able to design.

1. What tractor that you have experience with is considered the most reliable after the most years of service or hard use?

Farmall Super C with 2pt hitch, halftracks, sickle mower and wide front.

2.What functions on your tractor have been broken the longest?

Oil leaks

3.What are the most annoying/dangerous and uncomfortable thing about your machine?

Seat and operator station

4. What maintenance have you performed that was more difficult, came too often, was unusually expensive, or too time consuming to be considered practical?

Not much

5. If your tractor were to be found in a field 100 years from now, what things would still be functional?

The wheels would still turn, gear shifter would still shift, starter would still pull.

6. What in your personal opinion is the most RELIABLE gas or diesel engine ever to be found on a 30-60 hp tractor?

Not sure, no real experience in that range. My experience has been with the Yanmar 3 cyl 23-25 hp range or Perkins 70-100hp range

7. Finally. What machines of the past do you consider the most bulletproof and easiest to maintain for someone whom hasnt been formally trained as a mechanic?

Since I would need to come from experience I would say for me the Super C as we as dirt farmers with no money overhauled it in our shop on rainy days.

 

[smiley]

A lot of great ideas in this thread and I will put my 2 cents in,
One of the major things I would like to see is as much off the shelf hardware used as is humanly possible, with a big off the shelf hydraulic pump/drive/system combined with a manual multi speed transmission and capability for adding 4wd. A set up like this could be coupled to with any motor available in a pinch and versatility of using standard or customized hydraulic attachments to suit your needs.
Although it is a smaller lighter tractor than you are considering, I was impressed with the concept of the Terramite tractor that uses a plate steel frame and mostly off the shelf parts that can be bought most anywhere, cheaper than the one off stuff that most manufactures put out, so you are forced to use only their parts.
Good luck in your venture,
Smiley