How To Sell Tractors To Lazy Farmers

[EhM8]

Haha, sounds a bit like that Conan movie with Arnold Swarzenegger, having to push that mill made his muscles big.

I too actually like using my left leg. I have a mechanical shuttle on my little tractor, and when a dealer said that if I had a electro-hydro shuttle, I wouldn't have to clutch, it didn't really impress me a lot. I don't even think about it when I clutch. Maybe it would be different if I was used to a clutchless transmission. For me, the motivation to upgrade to a powershift transmission would not be about the number of times I have to clutch, but the number of times I have to throttle down. Having to throttle down is a much bigger nuisance than clutching, in my opinion, and that is why I would decide to buy a powershift transmission. Until then, I guess I will have to be like you and have a hugely developed left calf muscle.

I am just a weekend hobby guy and actually like having to shift my 9 x 3 TC29. You should see my calf muscles!

I am one of those lean/skinny types...6', 185lbs and hope to stay that way.
I don't like running, I don't like lifting weights and treadmills make me dizzy so working on the farm is how I stay in shape. I figure all that clutching can't hurt.

 

[EhM8]

You know what I reckon would be handy on a synchromesh transmission is a Dethrottle button on the gear lever. Say if you have your engine speed set perfectly, but then have to change gears, you could push the button to drop the revs back so you can change gear, but when you release it, it would return you to your working speed. That way you wouldn't always be having to find the right speed with the throttle lever, which can take a few minutes to get right.

Good question. I'm so used to pushing a clutch that I always push the button to change gears. I haven't tryed it under full load. I will the next time I'm in it.

Solo

 

[Solo]

Do you have to back off the throttle before you use the button, or can you change under full power? If it is the latter, then it would be useful; if it is the former, then it is probably only good for people with bad legs.

It can be shifted without backing out of the throttle. The one problem I have with it is, I don't drive it enough to get use to it. When I start to change gears I always hit the brake. Pays to wear your seat belt. The 420 E has excellent brakes.

Solo

 

[Rara Avis]

Produce a tractor that will get my square bales from the hay wagon into the loft without me having to handle them and I'll buy one...

 

[EhM8]

Haha, I've actually just bought this very same tractor JXU 85 with the power clutch. I almost went for the New Holland T5040 because it had a better resolved gear lever button arrangement that extended it above the knee level as well. My Case dealer had to do a few sommeraults to get me to stay red.

The reason I went for the JXU was that compared to the competition it had the more upto date engine with intercooled turbo, it was available and I didn't have to wait six months like I would for a german made John Deere 5720, and it was $15000 AU cheaper that the MF 5435. You pay a lot for that Dynashift transmission it seems - at 60NM less torque than the JXU, it doesn't compete in the engine department - this may be resolved with the new models, but then the 5435 will be a 90 something hp tractor and I am guessing dearer still.

 

[EhM8]

I have had the JXU 85 for a few months now, and I have to admit, the powerclutch isn't so bad afterall. Takes a bit of skill and experimentation, and can be a bit confusing at first figuring out when it is best to use the pedal or the button. It works best when you have good momentum and only dropping the revs back around the 1300 to 1500 rpm - saves you losing that momentum with the time it would take you to clutch with the pedal. It's also handy if you have mud on your boots. It is not something you would use to change power under heavy pulling conditions, but you have the two speed power-shift in each range for that.

The 4.5 litre engine is a lovely, smooth engine, which doesn't seem too bad on fuel. In the cab the most noise comes from the transmission. The engine noise is a quiet comforting purr. It's a pity the transmission wasn't as quiet. Roof height would be a little low for really big guys, and there is no loader view skylight option available; otherwise the cab works quite well, plastics and vinyl seems quite sturdy and is a practical colour.