FARMTRAC 300DTC Engine 30HP / 26HP PTO

[Jim57]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I wouldn't be too afraid of "badge-engineered" machines. There aren't too many brands that don't do some major subcontracing for some of there tractors. Offhand I can only think of Kubota and Kioti.
If I were you I would be hunting down the parts for your Shibaura from some of the grey dealers here on TBN, you've stated you're mechanically inclined. Buck at EFC is a fan of your brand and I bet there are others. At least you would get some work out of it and it would be cheaper as well. If you still feel like you've been snake-bit, it'll sell faster on 4 wheels than 2 wheels and 2 jack stands. If you come across an older Ford/New Holland it just might resemble your Shibaura but with a ROPS bar and pto shield. )</font>
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I haven't given up on the Shibaura yet, Buck at EFC trying to locate the part for now and will get back with me as soon as possible... He will help me get the part and I will repair if if the people I contacted do not make them give my money back. However... If that happens and I do get my money back or I will just raffle the Repaired Shibaura SD2200 4X4 with FEL off... I want a Tractor I can depend on. I will not be able to stand anymore down time if I am to continue the project I am doing.

Jim
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[DK35vince]

The FarmTrac 300 is made by LG in South Korea. This is not a Chinese tractor.
I looked at and drove one, I felt the hood and fenders could have been a little thicker metal, but other than that I thought it was a pretty nice well made unit.
It also had some nice standard features. 4 cylinder Mitsubishi engine, 4 WD, position and draft control, foldable rops, Syncronized shuttle. 3 range fully sycronized transmission (shift on the go).
Rear hydraulic remotes, Etc.
My neighbor has a FarmTrac 360 and it works quite well, he is happy with his.

 

[Jim57]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The FarmTrac 300 is made by LG in South Korea. This is not a Chinese tractor.
I looked at and drove one, I felt the hood and fenders could have been a little thicker metal, but other than that I thought it was a pretty nice well made unit.
It also had some nice standard features. 4 cylinder Mitsubishi engine, 4 WD, position and draft control, foldable rops, Syncronized shuttle. 3 range fully sycronized transmission (shift on the go).
Rear hydraulic remotes, Etc.
My neighbor has a FarmTrac 360 and it works quite well, he is happy with his.
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Position and draft control? I am sure it has something to do with 3 point hitch but not sure what and the advantages and disadvantages of this feature.

The 360 is the 39HP with 33 PTO isn't it? I didn't price this one but I bet it would be at least $3,000 higher.

I think that the 360 would probably be better for me because I wouldn't have to up grade as soon. I would have to see the difference in size of tractor. If the same frames it would propbably be ok for me. He is suppose to have one in on Tuesday for me to try out. I wonder how the size compares with my Shibaura SD2200 4X4?

Jim

 

[DK35vince]

Position control lets you set the 3 point to the same height. Most tractors have this feature.
Draft control is used for tillage work, such as plowing. The draft control can be set so that if the plow hits a soft spot and tries to dig in to deep the 3 point will raise itself. Many compact tractors do not come with this feature as standard equipment.
The 300 and the 360 also have independant PTO which is a nice feature.
As far as size, I think the 300 and 360 are very similar (if not the same) in size.
Not sure about the price differances.

 

[Donnyj]

The 360 I tried out was $16,500 with loader. Where I live the local Farmtrac dealer sells a bunch. Over 100 last year alone. He claims he is the number one selling Farmtrac dealer in America. I don't know about that, but I do know the people who own these machines and they love them. Now these people I speak of are farmers. Large farming community here, mostly JD, NH and Massey owners for the large tractors, but alot of them have been buying these Farmtracs for a smaller tractor. I looked at them and found some things that I did not like, such as a small operators platform, limited view in the rear because of the fuel tank setting directly behing the seat. Just things that I did not like, but nothing wrong with Farmtrac tractors as far as reliability or getting service. Nothing wrong with South Korean tractors either. Farmtrac is really growing fast. For me the Kioti fit me better. I say try the Farmtrac and if you like it and can afford it, buy it. Parts and service will not be a problem. Just my opinion though. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[frank_f15]

Not sure about the price, but we have a dealer close by and checked them out, they seem to be prettly well made and he does sell quite a few of them.

 

[Jim57]

Thank you, I have a lot to learn obviously. I never farmed with a tractor. Just used a walk behind tiller and hoe. I had a lot of stuff stolen while I was out of town from this place a few years. When I came back it was all grown over and many things like tiller and hand tools gone. I figure if they can live with it I can live without it. But that was before I decided to start my project to help people... I have had to buy hand tools... some new and some from Flea Markets. But I will get by with what I have but I know I will miss my rear tine tiller. I was hoping that if I got a tractor I could produce many times what I use too by hand.

Jim

 

[Jim57]

This morning I talked with John Deere and they made me an offer of a NEW JD 790 with FEL for $13,995 two year warranty on tractor, three year warranty on drive train and 1 year warranty on FEL. OK you guys know the drill here... is this a good price? I am going to test drive today. They say it is 27 HP with a PTO HP of 24.

He also offered me a used 50HP with FEL for $16,300.00 which may be too large for my purposes and also too large for my truck Chevy 4X4 Scotsdale 1500 to pull.

This time I am looking at some real tractors. I want my investment to work... NOT be a "Yard Ornament"

Jim

 

[kIOTICK30]

That price don't seem to bad. A very good tractor. I would also consider Mahindras, Kioti's , NH.

 

[Keith_B]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This morning I talked with John Deere and they made me an offer of a NEW JD 790 with FEL for $13,995 two year warranty on tractor, three year warranty on drive train and 1 year warranty on FEL. OK you guys know the drill here... is this a good price? I am going to test drive today. They say it is 27 HP with a PTO HP of 24.

He also offered me a used 50HP with FEL for $16,300.00 which may be too large for my purposes and also too large for my truck Chevy 4X4 Scotsdale 1500 to pull.

This time I am looking at some real tractors. I want my investment to work... NOT be a "Yard Ornament"

Jim

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The 790 seems a bit on the small side to me if you plan on doing much plowing and disking for your truck patch style garden project.