1 tractor rest of forever -- what brand?

[5030]

My take on any tractor is, they will all last a long time if taken care of properly. My 2000 and 2002 Kubota M9's with 4000 and 6000 hours respectively have been trouble free but I'm careful about their care and feeding always. Those are farming hours, not hobby hours as well.

 

[Jstpssng]

Yesterday I had the displeasure of operating a JD 3038. My knees were in my chest with little room for my size 12 feet. Seat was

I'm just a little guy. But I looked at one of those when I was shopping 5 years ago and just burst out laughing!
My Kubota has both the electric PTO and a clutch. I tried engaging it without the clutch just once, and that was enough. When I have my rotary mower on in particular I ease it out very slowly. It's a heavy 5 foot 1976 IH, and and the steel drive shaft cover probably weighs more than a pto shaft today.

 

[ericm979]

The electric over hydraulic PTO on my Branson had a soft start feature. It slips the PTO wet clutch just a little when engaging it. It will start up my Woodmaxx chipper with a 200lb flywheel that's geared up 2x (so it has the inertia of a 400 lb flywheel) at idle without even slowing down.

 

[Ricn]

My last tractor will be the Kubota MX5200, but keeping all others I now have.

 

[billknecht]

If you want brand new, then ease of working on it is going to be a problem. 2012 was the last year of tractors being easy to work on. Maybe 2013 with certain models, but that's hit or miss.

When I was buying brand new, I wanted the most HP I could get with a cab tractor, and not have DEF fluid. I felt that Massey Ferguson had everything I wanted. If I wanted a smaller tractor, I was impressed with Yanmar.

I have an older JD 5065E that is very simple to work on and I can buy parts for it online. I love buying online and not having to drive to the dealer, then waiting for them to come in, and then driving to the dealer to get them.

I believe there are also a lot of sources to buy Kubota parts online too. I'm not sure about all the other brands, but I would check before buying anything.

This post frankly scares me, re where America is headed. Call me an old f**t, but I am FIRMLY a "Right to Repair" guy.

My two machines are circa 1971 and 1997. I just changed out the water pump myself on the '71 MF135, and it was doable, even for a newbie like myself. In contrast, we bought a JD 560e Gator UTV, and it quickly began dieseling, resulting in a bent pushrod & a trip to the dealer for repair. There was little I could see in that machine that was user-repairable.

If you want "new", that's your choice. My only advice is to beware of critters. A wood rat decided to build a nest in my NH6610, and I'm still working on that fix, two wiring harnesses @ two grand later. Wiring is quite complex, but, still, at least not impossible. A dealer would've advised selling that machine for parts (I paid 18K for it). I also have game-camera video of another wood rat trying to nest in the MF135. I now leave the hoods of both open, and no further problems. Peppermint oil is what I use in my cars to keep out mice, but nothing I've found yet seems to work for wood rats. I can only imagine what they'd do to a machine that requires dealer fixing.

 

[daugen]

I thought John Deere lost the class action suit on right to repair and had to open up more.
maybe they appealed..............

 

[5030]

Having said that, I wouldn't expect that from a newer model.

I would so long as the unit is maintained correctly and not beat on. All about taking care of them correctly and properly and not flogging them all the time.

My 6000 plus hour M9 has never had any mechanical issues other than routine maintenance and having the overhead set when required and I suspect it will outlast me and probably the next owner so long as they maintain it properly.

 

[billknecht]

I thought John Deere lost the class action suit on right to repair and had to open up more.
maybe they appealed..............

You're correct. JD lost. 1 tractor rest of forever -- what brand?

However, I think we all realize what that means. It's not like they're going to abandon their computerized engines and displays, and go back to parts we can order from Yesterday's Tractors or Amazon, and replace ourselves. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to diagnose an ECU, or rewire a modern tractor. I have a Ph.D. in experimental psychology, with a minor in computer science, and took an electronics class (undergrad), and the main wiring harness on my '97 NH6610 is still so complex it's almost incomprehensible. Trying to deal with anything 2020-ish is just unimaginable.

 

[livemusic]

This post frankly scares me, re where America is headed. Call me an old f**t, but I am FIRMLY a "Right to Repair" guy.

My two machines are circa 1971 and 1997. I just changed out the water pump myself on the '71 MF135, and it was doable, even for a newbie like myself. In contrast, we bought a JD 560e Gator UTV, and it quickly began dieseling, resulting in a bent pushrod & a trip to the dealer for repair. There was little I could see in that machine that was user-repairable.

If you want "new", that's your choice. My only advice is to beware of critters. A wood rat decided to build a nest in my NH6610, and I'm still working on that fix, two wiring harnesses @ two grand later. Wiring is quite complex, but, still, at least not impossible. A dealer would've advised selling that machine for parts (I paid 18K for it). I also have game-camera video of another wood rat trying to nest in the MF135. I now leave the hoods of both open, and no further problems. Peppermint oil is what I use in my cars to keep out mice, but nothing I've found yet seems to work for wood rats. I can only imagine what they'd do to a machine that requires dealer fixing.

A rat got into my niece's car at her brand new home and chewed up the wiring harness and it was over $4,000 to fix. Thank goodness, her insurance paid. Such expense is nuts! That is scary! Modern vehicles of any sort are way too complicated, it's just crazy. Bells and whistles, technology made it possible but it is ruining it for the average person.

 

[Mike1955]

For me, it would

I would guess that Kubota is the most popular compact tractor these days. Thinking that it and John Deere are 1 and 2? So, I have a Mahindra but I might sell it in order to get exactly what I need in a tractor. Primary needs are pasture clipping 7 acres and use in a 50-acre woodlot for managing trees and trails. Was thinking that JD or Kubota would provide...

- parts availability
- dependable
- design
- performance
- ease of maintenance
- resale ability down the way
- plenty of dealers

If you could find exactly what you want in a tractor, what brand would you buy? Being as dependable as possible, easiest to maintain, parts availability and ability to resell down the way are very important in this discussion. Easiest to maintain probably No.1 because I am age 70 and do maintenance and repairs that I can but I am not the type that relishes tinkering, lol, plus, I work alone mostly. Buying used would be great if one is found but not averse to buying new if have to. Should be my last tractor.

Doesn't have to be JD or Kubota but that's my thinking.

 

[rScotty]

To last forever, it has to be simple but convenient. Simple things last, but there is no since in having one so simple it is a pain to operate - or so complex that a failure cannot be fixed by any mechanic.

So I'd say my forever tractor is any well known make & mode with these check offs:
30 to 60 hp, independent injection diesel, power shift "clutchless" transmission, Cat 1/II 3pt with draft control, open center hydraulics, power steering, 2 or 4wd is OK, no special emissions equipment, adjustable rear wheel width, nicely sized SSQA loader, independent PTO. There were a lot like that.

Things I would like to see, but don't expect: remote hydrauics, creeper gears, and an air suspension seat.
A cab or canopy.. or not... is personal preference.

Just about any utility tractor from 1980 to 2012/14 (pre-Tier IV emissions control) willnall fit that list of things I want. Some were more popular than others, but that was a time when they tended to be made to last and be serviceable. Tractors of that era were not aimed at homeowers, competition between brands was based around how long they lasted in the hands of people who made their living with them everyday.

rScotty

 

[WranglerX]

One WITHOUT a computer.....

 

[Yander]

Yanmar YT359

Hey everyone. I’m new to the forum but have been lurking for a while. I recently purchased a YT359 and now I want to sell it. It is a GREAT tractor. However, the dealer I purchased from (ARDCO Equipment in New Iberia, LA) is no longer a Yanmar dealer. They helped me out with a little issue I had...

www.tractorbynet.com

Looks you are in Louisiana and this tractor is also. This is what you need!

 

[rScotty]

One WITHOUT a computer.....

If I was forced to just draw one line, that would be it.

But that line is for a tractor to last forever, because tractors computers do run pretty well - just not forever.
We have two tractors with computers. We like them both, and have only had to replace the computer in one of them.

 

[ultrarunner]

Some of the big operations around here no longer buy tractors and have found advantageous to lease... this way it's someone else's issue...

 

[Sid Post]

JD & Kubota make great compacts, but I’d take a look at Massey Ferguson before you sign on the dotted line.

The Massey's are often overlooked. My new tractor is a Massey and I am super pleased with it. A 260x series Massey is a ton of tractor for small operations at a good price with proven tech.

Personally, I would avoid John Deere today. They have gone all corporate and don't support small operators very well today IMHO. Locally, the JD conglomerate goes from mediocre to terrible support depending on the branch.

I was burned pretty hard by Kubota during COVID so, I'm not buying any more of their tractors. $642 shipping for a $63 part for my L-4600. My last trip for parts was for a PTO shaft for the mid-mount mower deck of my B-2601. The quote was over $2,000 for the PTO shaft alone while an entire mower was only $3200!

I was in the market for a Kubota M5-111 but, bought my nicer Massey with a superior loader and transmission for $20K less. Having owned it for nearly a year, I am tickled to be in a RED tractor today and away from the Kubota dealer for this Ag tractor.

 

[Sid Post]

Your local situation is really important.

Our nearest JD dealer is worthless. The Kubota, a little less so. Part of it is they rest on their laurels because so many people think they are better. Customer service is non-existent for small operations.

Remember, the high prices you pay up front are going to apply to parts and repairs, too. That's great if money isn't an issue.

If everything, except tractor features and quality were equal, I would get Yanmar. Their biggest HP is 59, so that may not work.

TYM makes a lot of tractor for the money and they are built really well for the price. I'd take a TYM over JD or Kubota in a mid-size tractor today. Branson/TYM/Kukje all merged together today so, future dealer support should be pretty strong overall into the future.

Yanmar is fairly attractive to me but, the nearest volume dealer is ~300 miles away. An hour drive each way is pretty much my limit for dealer support so, it would have to be something special to get me to 2 hours or more each way.

 

[sd455dan]

TYM makes a lot of tractor for the money and they are built really well for the price. I'd take a TYM over JD or Kubota in a mid-size tractor today. Branson/TYM/Kukje all merged together today so, future dealer support should be pretty strong overall into the future.

Yanmar is fairly attractive to me but, the nearest volume dealer is ~300 miles away. An hour drive each way is pretty much my limit for dealer support so, it would have to be something special to get me to 2 hours or more each way.

I doubt Flyinghigh or his dad feels that way concerning the TYM they bought, in fact I bet he wishes they could have the decade old Branson back that was traded in.

 

[billknecht]

The Massey's are often overlooked. My new tractor is a Massey and I am super pleased with it. A 260x series Massey is a ton of tractor for small operations at a good price with proven tech.

Personally, I would avoid John Deere today. They have gone all corporate and don't support small operators very well today IMHO. Locally, the JD conglomerate goes from mediocre to terrible support depending on the branch.

I was burned pretty hard by Kubota during COVID so, I'm not buying any more of their tractors. $642 shipping for a $63 part for my L-4600. My last trip for parts was for a PTO shaft for the mid-mount mower deck of my B-2601. The quote was over $2,000 for the PTO shaft alone while an entire mower was only $3200!

I was in the market for a Kubota M5-111 but, bought my nicer Massey with a superior loader and transmission for $20K less. Having owned it for nearly a year, I am tickled to be in a RED tractor today and away from the Kubota dealer for this Ag tractor.

That's astonishing ! Any more of that, and their sales are going to crash, fast and hard. That's highway robbery, no other way to put it.

(Disclaimer: I still use a 1971 MF135 for most of my work, mowing and brushhogging).

 

[Sid Post]

I doubt Flyinghigh or his dad feels that way concerning the TYM they bought, in fact I bet he wishes they could have the decade old Branson back that was traded in.

The only issue I am aware of around here locally is emissions related with people not allowing the Regen to happen and clogging up the works. Take the regen canister out, let it soak in a bucket of gasoline for a couple of days, blow it out, and do a Regen and things went back to normal.

Their unbranded Cummins engines are really good too.

TYM and similar tractors bought by people who don't know how to run or maintain them reasonably are the biggest black eye with them. Just because you have a lot of money doesn't mean you have a clue about running or maintaining a tractor.

Tractors treated like a Microwave or Toaster are going to have problems that are really beyond the manufacturer's control. If you prevent the Regen until the exhaust is blocked by carbon and the tractor breaks the starter motor due to stress (better a starter then piston rings or the valvetrain), how is that the tractor fault?

Or putting motor oil in the hydraulic system or using 0W-20W for your car in the engine?