Are cabs useful under say 30-35 hp?

[Dmace]

My cab may not be air conditioned but it is heated and is a blessing in the cold winters around here. In the summer I take both doors off and it's great for working. I moved about 9 cubic yards of gravel in the pouring rain with the windshield wipers going full speed. I never would have done it without the cab unless I wanted to get soaked. Plus the cab, heat, wipers, etc... was only about a $2k option.

 

[IslandTractor]

the cab, heat, wipers, etc... was only about a $2k option.

Looks like about $3000 now.

 

[art]

Not to help the war here but Kubota is 1/3 or better of all tractors under 50 horsepower.

 

[patrick_g]

Not to help the war here but Kubota is 1/3 or better of all tractors under 50 horsepower.

Art, No war! But thanks for the comment. I was generalizing, of course, not quoting published stats reviewed by an independent research consultant. Maybe the "fences" between bins should have been placed at 50% and 25% with top brands in one half and mid brands in 25% and all the brand X stuff in the bottom 25% for a better fit. The borders of the bins don't really matter much, the basic idea is sound. There are lots of little tractors and JD, Kubota, and just a few others make the vast majority of the good ones with some not so good and then the junk brands.

I'm sure there are circumstances for which some of the cheapies can be a good choice. There are times for fine bone china and there are times for paper cups and paper plates. Just because the paper plates and cups are not high quality or long lasting doesn't mean there aren't times when they are the best choice.

Pat

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't want to restart any tractor wars but I'd point out that just as in the automobile business, companies that rest on their laurels are being outrun by "upstarts". Mercedes are now amongst the worst cars for first year quality as measured by Consumer Reports (passive consumer reporting but otherwise relatively unbiased) whereas companies that we all made fun of five years ago like Hyundai are now rated second, just behind Toyota in initial quality in JD Powers surveys. The times they are a changin'.

No doubt the Chinese companies have a way to go yet and Belarus may never get there but Indian and Korean companies are making CUT size tractors that are just as reliable (though sometimes not as sophisticated) as Japanese and US companies.

I think it is particularly impressive when the non big 3 brands are recognized positively by customers in owner satisfaction scales as those customers do not have the bias of having already bought what they presumed (and were told by the marketers) was the "top" brand.

 

[patrick_g]

Excellent observation. No quibble from here. Yes indeed the universe is not a static display. My comments were a snapshot, one frame of an ongoing movie, the end of which hasn't been written.

Time was I wouldn't walk across the street to pee on a Hyundai if it was on fire but if they get their fuel economy and engine life under control I would buy one if it fit my requirements.

Belarus has, I think, hit its goals so I wouldn't expect great changes anytime soon.

Pat

 

[Oleozz]

JD's laissez-faire attitude in this area toward buyers has left many people switching to other brands. My neighbor and his family were in the market for three tractors and after trying to deal with the Deere folks they ended up with New Holland, I was a Deere fanatic for years and am now running a Kioti. My good friend who farms for a living and drives McCormicks is now looking a bit closer at the Kiotis to replace his old International. Yes, times are changing.

 

[bill177]

I'd like a cab for my MF GC2300. Haven't found one yet - too small I guess. Would be used to keep the stingers at bay when working in the woods. You only have to knock down one hornet's nest to become a believer.

 

[canEHdian]

Even on smaller tractors, a cab will keep you warm and/or cool. Sims (( http://www.cabdepot.com )) has come out with an A/C unit that's compressor driven for tractors 35HP and up, but even if you don't have that high of HP, you can get their 12V A/C and keep cool enough for most activites you do with a smaller tractor. And talk about cold - if you live anywhere in the North-Eastern region of the US or South-East Canada, without a cab, you'll freeze your rear-end off pretty quick!!! Especially with this recent cold snap with the snow storm. Anyone without a cab is kind of in the gutter in those situations.

 

[Woodbeef]

Aftermarket cabs are ok,but not the same as a factory. The Laurin is nicer looking then the Sims. Best looking ones come from Europe that I've seen so far for smaller tractors.