Do we really need all the electronic features in new tractors?

[JDgreen227]

Read my thread in the "Trailers and Transportation" forums where I ask "Do we need all this complexity?".....

 

[KiwiBro]

Buy used and overhaul, modern emissions regs mean expensive electronic everything these days as the "old tech" cannot meet the increasingly tighter emissions regs.

Is there a standout used tractor with excellent ongoing parts availability around the 50-70HP range you could suggest please? After a min' 1.5t to full height on the FEL, 4WD, ground clearance but stable on hills.

Regarding emission regs, I just checked on the NZTA website and can't find anything but some simple visible smoke tests that apply t tractors. It looks like we have an almost free pass in this department. Although I guess if the rest of the world is on T4 engines, the manufacturers are hardly likely to keep building simple, clutter-free engines for us only. Am I missing something about emission regs that apply to NZ tractors?

 

[KiwiBro]

American automakers introduced their version of 'up-selling' in the '50s and other manyfacturers have been jumping on that wagon ever since. Making the product X% bigger or hanging X% more bling onto a vehicle and raising the price accordingly means a similar profit increase on the same number of units sold.

Apples and Oranges? Car-like features are 'trending' in the tractor market these days, and makers can thank Governments for boosting the complexity and 'added value' of their products ("Not about us, we're just doing as we're told.") so that road drivers alone aren't to be tasked with cleaning up the planet. IMO Emission controls are just part of a bigger picture and we're paying for the whole kit.

Don't need 'theater sound', AC, buddy seat, wi-fi hot-spot? "Coming to a dealer near you" anyway, or buy used and patch 'er up to running condition as as suggested. (just DIY the sunroof if you need it) Only put 100-200 hours/yr on your tractor? Doesn't mean you're not hurting the Earth. Simple and efficient cars, trucks, tractors are so 20th Century, and 'me-too'-ism is being thrust upon us, like it or not.

btw, There must be some folks around who only need a View attachment 418318 to show pride in their 'equipment'.

We need a like button. Thank you. I think you said it much better than I can.

Don't get me wrong, if someone wants to pay for a luxury that's their prerogative, and I guess there must be many of them and not enough push-back by us knuckle-dragging simpletons to convince manufacturers to always have a simple model/s in their line-up.

 

[KiwiBro]

There are simple tractors about. My SAME does not have all the bells and whistles. Here you go Tiger 70 | SAME Tractors New Zealand | Brought to you by Power Farming only thing I'd like is to have a Forward reverse lever.

And then this guy is even a bit simpler Commando 603 | SAME Tractors New Zealand | Brought to you by Power Farming

NZ in the finals, just watching the AUS vs IND Semi ... Go the Aussies

Thanks. How many hours on your Tiger 70 and can I ask what you paid for it please?

Glad Aussie made it to the finals. Going to be a real ding-dong backyard brotherly battle at the MCG on Sunday. Got the TV booked and will put beers in the fridge.

 

[PHPaul]

My answer is "NO!" I neither need nor want plastic and electronics on my tractor. Heck, I'm such a Luddite, I don't even trust HST on anything bigger than a lawnmower.

Which is why I eventually wind up changing my mind every time I consider replacing my 27 year old John Deere 750, complete with manual steering, non-synchro gear shift trans and mechanical gauges. I can (and have...) started it with a screwdriver when I've trailered it somewhere and realize I've forgotten the key.

Try that with the new plastic-fantastic electro-everything EPA-d to death Wündertraktor.

Now if I was 34 instead of 64, I'd probably be singing a different tune.

 

[KiwiBro]

Since I can't resist kicking a wasp's nest.... [donning bee keeper suit]

I will raise you one with this - no one 'needs' a tractor to begin with - all the things people do with them now was done by hand (and still is in some places).

[disclaimer - I am down to ONE tractor, I had three. The new one didn't come with ENOUGH electronics on it (deere 3046r/deluxe cab), so I am adding a 'loader cam', two dash cams [fore & aft], GPS, 2-way radio]

On the other paw - if you go steam, you won't need to have even one volt of that electric stuff.
(I don't know if there were any hand-crank diesel tractors, but if there were, that would apply there too I think)

The way things are going, we'll be full-circle in a few generations and what was once considered the domain of mental deficients will become the fashionable new-age, eco-friendly 'wise choice'.

 

[KiwiBro]

Some of what some of you are saying, or maybe the "way" you're saying it, sounds like jealousy more than anything else.

You are perfectly entitled to your opinion.

 

[TripleR]

What I don't understand is the judgmental, condescending attitude towards people who spend their own money for something you judge they don't need.

 

[KiwiBro]

What I don't understand is the judgmental, condescending attitude towards people who spend their own money for something you judge they don't need.

You are perfectly entitled to not understand.

 

[PHPaul]

What I don't understand is the judgmental, condescending attitude towards people who spend their own money for something you judge they don't need.

I think you're tarring with a pretty wide brush yourself.

I didn't say NOBODY needed all the toys, I said I don't need them. Your money, your choice.