Well put Bill! There are days I'm the same.... Just driving around without anything attached, I still have a great time.
Will there ever be a day when 3pt and pto goes to universal quick hitch with hydraulics lock and load, and also no pto.
It would seem the safety aspect, as well as quick attachment are really worth it. (Comparing to the Power-Trac)
I like my 3pt, but maybe one day hydraulics will take place of ptos? I don't know the engineering aspects of it, why it hasn't gone that way already, but it is a curious thing to think about. 3pt's have proven itself time and time again (not to jump topics) and we've invested lots of R&R to making it better, and to consumers investment in owning 3pt, I really don't forsee them going anywhere.
Though as a amateur, and nut, i do see room for improvement in safety sake. I'd really like to see more improvements. Little things like remaining in the seat to attach/detach implements including hydraulics (no ptos).
A GPS optional system to monitor tractor rollovers or accidents that would notify medical personel. Cause I know I'm always by myself on it, and who's gonna help if I'm down and out?
Maybe more car like, optional ABS systems, backup beepers, traction Control, Governer speed controls for young learners (like some personal watercraft), or speed/weight sensing controls to warn you of weight differentials (tipping forward or backward). I really like to see a weight load indicator, to tell me how much my FEL is holding so i don't overdo it, or how many lbs are on my 3pt? Its like the tiltmeter, its not the key, seat of the pant and experience are, but this will help most newbies operate safer.
I know more electronics sometimes isn't good, especially if there was a computer on board. Do you think it'll happen on day with compacts? I do... We'll be able to download data, troubleshoot, preventative maint, just a more intelligent tool that can help us better preform our simple tasks. or even an optional Radio or cd player would be nice
Definately I think tractors have come a long long way, but feel theres always room for improvement. Just looking at the safety forum, i'd wish manufacturers would look at just whats happening there, and seriously make some Research interest into making these things even greater and safer.
Sorry, off my box now. Regarding 3pt's I think this is a start, but I'm sure more is to come and get better with time. I wouldn't get to dreeding not liking the 3pt, like most said here, its the tractor time, learning and having fun are the most important things to me.
John
