curtis
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you can't go wrong with a ford .
Compact tractoring on the cheap!?
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Bob_Skurka
Super Member
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I agree with a lot of what was said about a lot of the tractors. I own a '56 Oliver Super 55 (similar, but more advanced than a Ford 8N) and love it, but find it less convenient than my NH CT24D. The older tractors won't turn a tight circle they cut a wide swath and are great in a lot of conditions, but not in tight spaces. My Oliver is probably worth $3500, is restored to very nice (but not perfect) condition, and is a great tractor, cheap to maintain, and fun to drive. The big advantage is the weight and power of the old iron, get it moving and you can yank out a stump, cut a ditch, etc. The small tractors strain and choke under work loads that old iron handles with ease.
On the other hand, my new NH CT24D is small and agile and turns on a dime. It cost a bit over $11,500 but is certainly my choice when I have to get things done on my property which is full of steep hills, ruts, bumps and trees. I thought about Grey Market tractors and they are priced about the same price as the "old iron" but parts are sporatic, service is spotty, and I've found hydrostatic transmissions to be a great option. . .yet none of the Grey Market machines have that (neither does old iron).
On the other hand, my new NH CT24D is small and agile and turns on a dime. It cost a bit over $11,500 but is certainly my choice when I have to get things done on my property which is full of steep hills, ruts, bumps and trees. I thought about Grey Market tractors and they are priced about the same price as the "old iron" but parts are sporatic, service is spotty, and I've found hydrostatic transmissions to be a great option. . .yet none of the Grey Market machines have that (neither does old iron).
Hi Bob-
You bring up a good point, and maybe one that has been explained somewhere on this board and I've just never seen it: Are we (the USA/North America) the only market for Hydrostatic transmissions? It seems that all of the tractors made for foreign markets, i.e. the Japanese grey market tractors that stay in Japan, the Chinese tractors that stay in China or other countries, the eastern European tractors like Belarus and Zetor, even the Mahindra's of India and the fine tractors coming out of Korea - don't have hydro, or at least very many models of them - for sale in their country of origin/manufacture? It may be just that I've never seen them, but all of the tractors that I've mentioned above, I've only seen hydro in conjunction with what they are marketing in the US. Do the rice farmers of Japan not need hydro for tilling and that is why Yanmar/Kubota/Iseki/Hinomoto/Shibaura/Mitsubishi only equip their Japanese market tractors with gear drive or power shift?
I guess to paraphrase my question, is the American market the prime market (or only market) for Hydro tractors? If so, why? If such a large percentage of the rest of the world gets by without HST on their compact tractors, why does it seem to be such a prerequisite for many American compact tractor owners? Now don't get me wrong - HST is a wonderful thing and I have read a ton of posts on here from folks who thought they didn't have to have it, tried it out, bought a HST tractor and now will never own a tractor without HST. Again, just wondering if we are the only market for these type tractors.
My guess: Well, to start I think that we are richest (or among the richest) countries on Earth and a lot of folks - most folks on this board - have enough disposable income to purchase a tractor for their acreage, whether is be a compact for mowing an acre or a utility for performing chores on 1000 acres or etc. Obviously, a lot of folks like the hydros and the manufacturers listened - so here we are. But still, I wonder: Why is it so appealing to so many folks in the USA but not so much in the rest of the world? Is a tractor viewed as simply a tool to complete a task most other places and here it is viewed as not only a tool but also a recreational vehicle (of sorts) that needs niceties like cup holders, radios, etc. Also, I'm guessing not as many countries have as much "disposable real estate" as the US has, so maybe lots of people don't have a lot/acreage that needs a tractor, and if they don't need a tractor, having a hydrostatic transmission sitting at a chair at the kitchen table probably isn't going to help things out either. Those are my best guesses and I'd like to hear some others. Also, if y'all know of tractor manufacturers that make and market hydros in other countries (I guess I should say I'm lumping Canada in with us on all of the above, sorry)
Sorry for the long post and I know it's really wandering off-topic, but I thought this lively thread might have some input on this subject. Thanks for the help.
Take it Easy
Tim Gray
You bring up a good point, and maybe one that has been explained somewhere on this board and I've just never seen it: Are we (the USA/North America) the only market for Hydrostatic transmissions? It seems that all of the tractors made for foreign markets, i.e. the Japanese grey market tractors that stay in Japan, the Chinese tractors that stay in China or other countries, the eastern European tractors like Belarus and Zetor, even the Mahindra's of India and the fine tractors coming out of Korea - don't have hydro, or at least very many models of them - for sale in their country of origin/manufacture? It may be just that I've never seen them, but all of the tractors that I've mentioned above, I've only seen hydro in conjunction with what they are marketing in the US. Do the rice farmers of Japan not need hydro for tilling and that is why Yanmar/Kubota/Iseki/Hinomoto/Shibaura/Mitsubishi only equip their Japanese market tractors with gear drive or power shift?
I guess to paraphrase my question, is the American market the prime market (or only market) for Hydro tractors? If so, why? If such a large percentage of the rest of the world gets by without HST on their compact tractors, why does it seem to be such a prerequisite for many American compact tractor owners? Now don't get me wrong - HST is a wonderful thing and I have read a ton of posts on here from folks who thought they didn't have to have it, tried it out, bought a HST tractor and now will never own a tractor without HST. Again, just wondering if we are the only market for these type tractors.
My guess: Well, to start I think that we are richest (or among the richest) countries on Earth and a lot of folks - most folks on this board - have enough disposable income to purchase a tractor for their acreage, whether is be a compact for mowing an acre or a utility for performing chores on 1000 acres or etc. Obviously, a lot of folks like the hydros and the manufacturers listened - so here we are. But still, I wonder: Why is it so appealing to so many folks in the USA but not so much in the rest of the world? Is a tractor viewed as simply a tool to complete a task most other places and here it is viewed as not only a tool but also a recreational vehicle (of sorts) that needs niceties like cup holders, radios, etc. Also, I'm guessing not as many countries have as much "disposable real estate" as the US has, so maybe lots of people don't have a lot/acreage that needs a tractor, and if they don't need a tractor, having a hydrostatic transmission sitting at a chair at the kitchen table probably isn't going to help things out either. Those are my best guesses and I'd like to hear some others. Also, if y'all know of tractor manufacturers that make and market hydros in other countries (I guess I should say I'm lumping Canada in with us on all of the above, sorry)
Sorry for the long post and I know it's really wandering off-topic, but I thought this lively thread might have some input on this subject. Thanks for the help.
Take it Easy
Tim Gray
CountryBoy
Silver Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think that we are richest (or among the richest) countries on Earth and a lot of folks - )</font>
Are we the richest or are we the most the most in debt country in the world ???
Are we the richest or are we the most the most in debt country in the world ???
What I mean by richest is that the amount of disposable income available to an average individual. I don't know a thing about you, but I bet you have more/make more money than the average Vietnamese/Chinese/Chilean/Nigerian/Russian and have access to more land that you either have or could purchase on which to use a tractor.
DavesTractor
Elite Member
rtimgray,
Yanmar makes a Hydro in the FE line, as well as some of the AF and KE tractors. They also come with ROPS. After they get a few years old, we should start seeing them in the USA.
Yanmar makes a Hydro in the FE line, as well as some of the AF and KE tractors. They also come with ROPS. After they get a few years old, we should start seeing them in the USA.
Thanks, Daves Tractor. Do you know what is the market for these tractors originally? The same as the other grey market Yanmars, I presume? Do the Japanese farmers find hydro handy for tilling or are they aimed at another Japanese-domestic market (or have you heard/been told)? I've seen a very few grey tractors with Japanese loaders, so I don't think that's real common for them. Anything else they would do (mowing, maybe?)
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Slamfire
Veteran Member
Most Japanese are in rice farming. They all belong to a co-op. Many of the tractors bear the names of these co-ops. Unless you know of a company by the same name like Mitsubishi, for example, chances are its branded by a co-op. The members lease the tractors, and when the lease is up the tractors are sold on the gray market. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
DavesTractor
Elite Member
rtimgray, I'm not sure how the Japanese are using the new hydros. Most of the tractors are still gear tractors, and I would think for tilling hours at a time, you can't beat a gear tractor with a crawl range. I have bought a few Yanmars with factory loaders, but they are rare. It is a different market over there, but I can't say I really understand it.
CountryBoy
Silver Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but I bet you have more/make more money than the average Vietnamese/Chinese/Chilean/Nigerian/Russian and have access to more land that you either have or could )</font>
Heck I am a poor ole West Virginia country boy that lives up in a hollow in rural Appalachia,no shoes,keep my wife barefoot and pregnant(a 3rd world country)....moonshine still..1 leg shorter than the other from walking these hill sides.
These hollows are so deep and the hills so steep we have to lay on our backs to look at the sun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Every time it rains we run out and sit in the car because the roof leaks so bad on the shack we live in. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Heck I am a poor ole West Virginia country boy that lives up in a hollow in rural Appalachia,no shoes,keep my wife barefoot and pregnant(a 3rd world country)....moonshine still..1 leg shorter than the other from walking these hill sides.
These hollows are so deep and the hills so steep we have to lay on our backs to look at the sun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Every time it rains we run out and sit in the car because the roof leaks so bad on the shack we live in. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif