New utility tractor (100hp range)

[Hay Dude]

Tractor transmission = ease of use & precision.
A CVT is more $ but allows you the ability to feather the speed to 1/100th of a MPH to get just the perfect speed for any job. Loader, baling, drilling, snowplowing, roading.
Anything I do within my scope of work, my CVT’s have the perfect speed.
I used to downplay the importance of this until I got my first CVT tractor 10 years ago.
What I have noticed is that used tractors with CVT’s don’t cost a lot more than full powershift tractors.

15 years ago, a guy told me “If you buy a CVT, you’ll never drive anything else.”
He was 100% right. I don’t even look at anything other than a CVT tractor.

 

[Hay Dude]

Tractor Weight = traction, strength, safety, stability.

While the Asian brand tractors in most cases tout high HP to weight ratios, remember that a unique aspect to tractors is they put more power to the ground if they are heavier. Traction increases with weight. Safety & stability increases because the tractor stays planted to the ground better.
Generally speaking, legacy brand Ag tractors are safer and more stable than “Asian style”, lightweight/high HP tractors.

The 2 tractors I owned which I showed side by side are the same HP, but the American owned Ag tractor is much more capable because it takes its 135HP and transfers it to the ground much more effectively which means better traction. It also is more stable.

 

[Hay Dude]

Taller R-1 Tractor Wheels & Tires = Better comfort, ride, ground clearance and traction.

Usually Ag tractors will have a taller rim/tire combination. The traction aspect is a no brainer. R1’s give 10X the traction of R4’s. But the other thing to look at is the height of the tires. Larger diameter tires absorb bumps on the ground better. This results in safer conditions on bad ground, especially when carrying something in the loader. They also give more ground clearance for clearing rocks on the ground.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't have any first hand experience with any of the brands you listed, or need for that much HP. When I was looking, I went with Massey because it was so much heavier then anything else in it's class, and built for AG instead of home owners doing chores around their places.

My neighbor has a couple of Zetor's, and he's a huge fan, but both are under 100 hp. Our local dealer has been selling Zetor for decades, but the reason I didn't go with Zetor after looking at them is the experience my neighbor has had with repairs and buying parts. I don't know if he ever tries to buy parts online, but when he goes to the dealer, they are never in stock, and it could be a week, a month or several months to get what he wants. About two years ago both his tractors were down for most of the summer. He had to hire people to mow his fields and trails.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't have any first hand experience with any of the brands you listed, or need for that much HP. When I was looking, I went with Massey because it was so much heavier then anything else in it's class, and built for AG instead of home owners doing chores around their places.

Now you know why I use the terms, "tinkertoy" tractor and "farm tractor", farm tractors are just built MUCH stronger even with the same HP as the tinkertoy tractor.

BTW, we have a good Zetor dealer here, so like with every brand, parts ect. all depend on where you live.

SR

 

[hayden]

I don't have any first hand experience with any of the brands you listed, or need for that much HP. When I was looking, I went with Massey because it was so much heavier then anything else in it's class, and built for AG instead of home owners doing chores around their places.

My neighbor has a couple of Zetor's, and he's a huge fan, but both are under 100 hp. Our local dealer has been selling Zetor for decades, but the reason I didn't go with Zetor after looking at them is the experience my neighbor has had with repairs and buying parts. I don't know if he ever tries to buy parts online, but when he goes to the dealer, they are never in stock, and it could be a week, a month or several months to get what he wants. About two years ago both his tractors were down for most of the summer. He had to hire people to mow his fields and trails.

In just don’t understand manufacturers doing this. I get coming into a new market and wanting to sell tractors. But if you want to KEEP selling something you need to support the ones you already sold. To me, every part for every tractor should stocked within a domestic ground shipment range. Plus the ability to expedite. That’s what the business requires if you want to be serious about it. A tractor sitting for weeks, let alone months is just unacceptable.

 

[redman135]

To the OP. Hay Dude is right about the CVT over other gearboxes, and you should have a serious look at it, then decide if the advantages out weigh the cost.
Note also, Hay Dudes advice about weight, and how it helps put power to the ground.

I infered that you had a limited budget, but a reread shows otherwise.

Ask about a 3 way seat (air ride) as they make a HUGE difference over a 2 way air ride seat. Your back will thank you. Mission creep is inevitable and this will help future proof your tractor.
Gearbox type and hydraulic pump size and number of scv outlets are the main things I look for.

Suggestion: if you are planning on doing hay(large rounds) look at loader suspension.

 

[ptsg]

CVT in the 100 HP? Only in the Fendt 200 series as far as I am aware and that's probably 2 or 2.5 times the price of any of the tractors listed in the first post.

 

[Hay Dude]

CVT in the 100 HP? Only in the Fendt 200 series as far as I am aware and that's probably 2 or 2.5 times the price of any of the tractors listed in the first post.

Little write up on the Vario 200 series. TractorData.com - New Generation Fendt 200 Vario

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have been real curious about these Fendt tractors after reading about them on here and the fact that I have never seen one in these parts on anyone's farm, so I put in my zip code in the dealer locator and there isn't one dealer in the state of Florida, maybe that will change but until it does I am sure farmers in these parts will stay green, orange and red, even blue has just about faded out in this area. The one thing I have always liked about John Deere is the fact of getting parts quickly and having a dealer that will deliver them right in the field, no matter what brand you go with make sure you have parts and service.