Are you a tractor snob?

Piedmont3 · Jan 27, 2006

Tractor Snob ? NO!
Tractor Friend ? Try to be...

When the guy next door who owns a Jinma 30 or 35 HP couldn't dig the trench for his septic line because he didn't have a backhoe, I helped him do it, because I did.

When the guy across the road 60-65 hp New holland, couldn't move the left over round bales because he didn't have a bale spear, I helped him move them because I had a set of forks.

When I couldn't unstick my 2 wd Ford truck from the mud with my 25hp PT he came and pulled me out with his big new holland.
So I believe...
Tractor Snob ? NO!
Tractor Friend ? Try to be...

HobbleCreek · Jan 27, 2006

I'm afraid I have to admit to being a bit of a snob. Not in the "look down my nose at others" sense. More in the "it makes me feel good to drive what I drive" sense.

I know there are lots of reasons that people buy whatever particular tractor they have. People who are handy and/or mechanically talented can save a bunch of money buying an "off brand" tractor. Some of those might even prove to be very reliable.

I think that my feelings of "confidence" in the brand I purchased are a form of snobbery. When people in my neighborhood who haven't seen my tractor but have heard about it ask what kind I got, and I tell them, they all give me a look of approval, like I've made a good decision. Most of them know substantially less about tractors than I do . . . and I don't know much. Still, there's something about that approval that is oddly appealing. It can only be described as pride or snobbery.

It doesn't make my tractor any better that a bunch of know nothing suburbanites know the brand and think it's a good tractor. It certainly doesn't make me a better person that I own such a tractor. So . . . it's snobbery and I have to admit that I have it.

At the same time, I admire the people with the jinmas or the Bransons or whatever other brand they've bought that just get out and get the work done. I have even more admiration for the retired guy who's out there with his old Farmall clearing the driveways of all the folks on his street.

I bought the tractor I bought because it has the features that make it convenient for me to use, and a reputation that leads me to believe that it will last me a lifetime. I could have been very happy with a couple of other brands, I'm sure. Still, in my most honest moments I have to admit that I'm a snob.

-- Grant

tillerkiller · Jan 27, 2006

( Green is good. Orange rules. Red rocks...and the beat goes on... )

Hey! You left Blue out! NO SOUP FOR YOU!*

*note to the humor impaired: the preceding was from a Seinfeld episode where George did nothing wrong but got blamed anyway.

ps... any color tractor is better than any shovel could ever be. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy · Jan 27, 2006

Hmm.. I'm primarilly a ford guy.. .. that carried over to Nh... but I can tell you.. if I see a tractor ont he side of the road.. I stop to look it over no matter what country it came from or what coler the paint was on it when new.

Soundguy

SkyPup · Jan 27, 2006

Me too, I'm a color-blind connaisseur of fine tractors everywhere! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

beenthere · Jan 27, 2006

Hey, I don't consider myself a snob, just wouldn't buy anything but green /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I don't mind what others buy, just feel a bit sorry for them that they don't have green, is all. My sympathy's are with them. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I just hope that 'some day', they all will be able to have the best.
Now that can't be snobbish, can it?

Marlowe · Jan 27, 2006

I confess; I am a beer snob. Don't much like the stuff, but a good whiskey is quite another thing.

As for tractors, I've used in the past few months a Ford, Mitsubishi, John Deere, and a Cat. All of them performed admirably within their respective limitations. I don't care what color it is, or what kind of tranny it has, or even how many cylinders it bangs around. If it runs and works, it's fine with me.

Tom

wolc123 · Jan 27, 2006

I would say I am more of a country snob. My vehicles are fords and chevys and my tractors are old or john deeres (I waited a long time for them to build cut's including engine back here in the states). I definitely look down my nose at all those foreign jobs on the roads and in the fields. Someday when we are all speaking chinese or japanese maybe more people will understand my way of thinking.

DK35vince · Jan 27, 2006

Well, I've owned a JD for years and have all the trinkets, JD blanlets, piggy bank, hats, shirts, spare key holder, JD model tractors on my dresser.
Also own a Kioti that I've been very pleased with, liked the New Holland and Mahindra 3510 and 4110 machines I looked at.
Looked at and considered Branson or FarmTrac when I was buying .
Liked the Kubota machines I have used in the past and one of my all time favorate compact tractors is the Kubota 3830 GST.
I would have to say NO, I don't consider myself a tractor snob.

SnoFalls · Jan 27, 2006

( I would say I am more of a country snob. My vehicles are fords and chevys and my tractors are old or john deeres (I waited a long time for them to build cut's including engine back here in the states). I definitely look down my nose at all those foreign jobs on the roads and in the fields. Someday when we are all speaking chinese or japanese maybe more people will understand my way of thinking. )

So I guess you don't go to walmart either? ... I'd be willing to guess not a single item you buy there is made in the states ... And to that point, MANY american businesses are being shutdown simply because of walmart going chinese.

As to "brand" ... I could care less. Quality and service matter to me, and something that would keep me away from a chinese tractor.