Buying Advice Buying a Foton 25hp in the next month: Advice appreciated.

[RavensRoost]

I also though there was no shuttle shift on these tractors, but according to the specs its:
"Transmission:
8-speed, semi-shuttle"

Anyone know what semi-shuttle is?

See here Foton FT254 specifications

Don't know for sure, but I am guessing semi-shuttle is where you can change direction of travel via a single lever only after depressing the clutch -- we used to call that a"Johnson bar" -- vs. just pulling the lever without depressing the clutch and internal transmission hydraulics take care of clutching.

 

[greg_g]

Anyone know what semi-shuttle is?

New one on me, but I'm not surre how much credence should be given that particular spec sheet. The country code is for South Africa. Note also the Y380 engine. I've never heard of a Y380 (in North America) that put out more than 22hp.

But let's say I'm behind times, and Foton actually does offer a shuttle now. Sounds like you know what a conventional shuttle box is. Other Chinese manufacturers are starting to come out with synchro-shuttles. Perhaps this is Foton's way of saying this machine has the conventional shuttle.

//greg//

 

[SensibleNick]

Time will tell.

Whether I get a Foton or not isn't in question, It is merely a question of time, and how much I learn before I get it

I'm busy saving lumps of scrap 20mm Stainless plate at work at the moment to make a ground ripper (or something similar) with, and trying to time.table a meeting with the dealer.

 

[zonta223]

Australian Foton/Euroleopards come with one 12 volt battery. Don't know if this is due to import restrictions or by company choice.

 

[SensibleNick]

It's surprising how things progress when you're determined.

On Saturday I'm off north to have a poke at the tractor dealership, and If I'm happy with their service/spares setup I may well end up signing a deal.

I do have another newbie questions though.

Our land is relatively small (4 acres or so). About 1ｽ acres are taken up by a field that I currently use as a place to play with MotoX bikes.
This area will see a fair bit of tractor use: Shifting and moving earth, and may be a source of top-soil for the 1ｽ acre area in which we intend to grow food.

The terrain can be considered to be flat, and a bit soggy.

We have a substantial layer of clay which means that the land gets pretty wet in places. Our neighbours keep horses so we have a really good supply of horseshit and straw to plough into the land.

The only piece of grass we remotely care about will be marked if we drive over it with Agricultural tyres I reckon, but I don't think we care.

The Question is this... If I have the choice, should I be going with Ag tyres or industrial ones? Industrial tyres look Way better IMO, but looks take a back seat when it comes to functionality in my books.

What would you advise?

 

[greg_g]

Functionality

//greg//

 

[bjr]

When it come to tractors for tillage The Word is Traction on tires. I'm thinkin' the Ag tire are the only option. My two cents. bjr

 

[Diamondpilot]

I second the Ag's

Chris

 

[SensibleNick]

Unanimous Agreement. Love it.

Thanks gents

 

[Rich Waugh]

Be different. Use iron tires. They never get flats. Noisy as all get out, though. Especially on cobblestone roads! (grin)

The Ag tires are the only way to go if you want to actually use that tractor in wet clay.