Looking for most economical tractor to meet needs
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daTeacha
Veteran Member
All other discussion about the merits of this and that way of measuring things can be put into perspective very simply.
If you can get one of those bales on a truck, take it to the dealer and have him show you that his machine can unload it from your truck/trailer and carry it around the lot.
The talk about where capacities are measured is an interesting intellectual exercise, but even the magical 500 mm (19 inch) distance will not do you any good with round bales since the weight is not centered there. The bales, if speared at the end, will project out from the pivot point about 4 feet, maybe a bit more. Not all bales are equal, depending on what they're made of.
Finally, are these loader ratings at the pin made with bucket on or off? Buckets are not light. How high do you need to lift the bales? Weight to maximum height is not the same as basic lifting.
Bottom line -- get more loader than the numbers say you need and really push for the dealer to show you that it will do what you want done without strain.
If you can get one of those bales on a truck, take it to the dealer and have him show you that his machine can unload it from your truck/trailer and carry it around the lot.
The talk about where capacities are measured is an interesting intellectual exercise, but even the magical 500 mm (19 inch) distance will not do you any good with round bales since the weight is not centered there. The bales, if speared at the end, will project out from the pivot point about 4 feet, maybe a bit more. Not all bales are equal, depending on what they're made of.
Finally, are these loader ratings at the pin made with bucket on or off? Buckets are not light. How high do you need to lift the bales? Weight to maximum height is not the same as basic lifting.
Bottom line -- get more loader than the numbers say you need and really push for the dealer to show you that it will do what you want done without strain.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
All other discussion about the merits of this and that way of measuring things can be put into perspective very simply.
If you can get one of those bales on a truck, take it to the dealer and have him show you that his machine can unload it from your truck/trailer and carry it around the lot.
The talk about where capacities are measured is an interesting intellectual exercise, but even the magical 500 mm (19 inch) distance will not do you any good with round bales since the weight is not centered there. The bales, if speared at the end, will project out from the pivot point about 4 feet, maybe a bit more. Not all bales are equal, depending on what they're made of.
Finally, are these loader ratings at the pin made with bucket on or off? Buckets are not light. How high do you need to lift the bales? Weight to maximum height is not the same as basic lifting.
Bottom line -- get more loader than the numbers say you need and really push for the dealer to show you that it will do what you want done without strain.
If you can get one of those bales on a truck, take it to the dealer and have him show you that his machine can unload it from your truck/trailer and carry it around the lot.
The talk about where capacities are measured is an interesting intellectual exercise, but even the magical 500 mm (19 inch) distance will not do you any good with round bales since the weight is not centered there. The bales, if speared at the end, will project out from the pivot point about 4 feet, maybe a bit more. Not all bales are equal, depending on what they're made of.
Finally, are these loader ratings at the pin made with bucket on or off? Buckets are not light. How high do you need to lift the bales? Weight to maximum height is not the same as basic lifting.
Bottom line -- get more loader than the numbers say you need and really push for the dealer to show you that it will do what you want done without strain.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
<font color="blue"> All measured and posted specs are done per ASAE guidelines. ASAE determines how things are done. )</font>
There are literally dozens of ASAE specs. Not all of them are useful in the real world. Some of them can easily mislead people who do not understand them. Some of them are useful.
So which set of ASAE specs are your referring to? If you are referring to the ASAE specs for pivot points, then you are referring to specs that have been shown time and again to be misleading, and that have been unfortunately used to confuse consumers.
The marketing departments determine which specs to use in the brochures, not the ASAE.
Dave wrote: <font color="blue"> even our friend . . . soapbox . . . </font>
Yes, I will agree that is a suitable tractor. Its not about brands, it is just about recommending a suitable tractor.
daTeacha . . . excellent point and that is what I was driving at. The real world is not at the pivot points. While it is up to the buyer to beware, when you turn to a forum for information, it is important to get the correct information.
It is interesting to see people justify misleading numbers.
There are literally dozens of ASAE specs. Not all of them are useful in the real world. Some of them can easily mislead people who do not understand them. Some of them are useful.
So which set of ASAE specs are your referring to? If you are referring to the ASAE specs for pivot points, then you are referring to specs that have been shown time and again to be misleading, and that have been unfortunately used to confuse consumers.
The marketing departments determine which specs to use in the brochures, not the ASAE.
Dave wrote: <font color="blue"> even our friend . . . soapbox . . . </font>
Yes, I will agree that is a suitable tractor. Its not about brands, it is just about recommending a suitable tractor.
daTeacha . . . excellent point and that is what I was driving at. The real world is not at the pivot points. While it is up to the buyer to beware, when you turn to a forum for information, it is important to get the correct information.
It is interesting to see people justify misleading numbers.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
<font color="blue"> All measured and posted specs are done per ASAE guidelines. ASAE determines how things are done. )</font>
There are literally dozens of ASAE specs. Not all of them are useful in the real world. Some of them can easily mislead people who do not understand them. Some of them are useful.
So which set of ASAE specs are your referring to? If you are referring to the ASAE specs for pivot points, then you are referring to specs that have been shown time and again to be misleading, and that have been unfortunately used to confuse consumers.
The marketing departments determine which specs to use in the brochures, not the ASAE.
Dave wrote: <font color="blue"> even our friend . . . soapbox . . . </font>
Yes, I will agree that is a suitable tractor. Its not about brands, it is just about recommending a suitable tractor.
daTeacha . . . excellent point and that is what I was driving at. The real world is not at the pivot points. While it is up to the buyer to beware, when you turn to a forum for information, it is important to get the correct information.
It is interesting to see people justify misleading numbers.
There are literally dozens of ASAE specs. Not all of them are useful in the real world. Some of them can easily mislead people who do not understand them. Some of them are useful.
So which set of ASAE specs are your referring to? If you are referring to the ASAE specs for pivot points, then you are referring to specs that have been shown time and again to be misleading, and that have been unfortunately used to confuse consumers.
The marketing departments determine which specs to use in the brochures, not the ASAE.
Dave wrote: <font color="blue"> even our friend . . . soapbox . . . </font>
Yes, I will agree that is a suitable tractor. Its not about brands, it is just about recommending a suitable tractor.
daTeacha . . . excellent point and that is what I was driving at. The real world is not at the pivot points. While it is up to the buyer to beware, when you turn to a forum for information, it is important to get the correct information.
It is interesting to see people justify misleading numbers.
BillG_in_TX
Veteran Member
crittersitter,
I second CWP37's suggestion of a JD 5103. Keep your eyes open and you might find a deal like martyb's. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I second CWP37's suggestion of a JD 5103. Keep your eyes open and you might find a deal like martyb's. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
BillG_in_TX
Veteran Member
crittersitter,
I second CWP37's suggestion of a JD 5103. Keep your eyes open and you might find a deal like martyb's. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I second CWP37's suggestion of a JD 5103. Keep your eyes open and you might find a deal like martyb's. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
OP
crittersitter
New member
Thanks for all the great tips and advice. Went and test drove a new Farmtrac today. It was a nice machine but at just under 20K way to much for my budget. I think I will check out a couple other machines mentioned but am leaning towards a used machine. I don't need to stack round bales so working of the 3 point might be fine. Still want a FEL for various tasks. I have seen older Ford 2000, 3000, etc. advertised. If I could find one with a loader I'd be happy. Thanks again!
OP
crittersitter
New member
Thanks for all the great tips and advice. Went and test drove a new Farmtrac today. It was a nice machine but at just under 20K way to much for my budget. I think I will check out a couple other machines mentioned but am leaning towards a used machine. I don't need to stack round bales so working of the 3 point might be fine. Still want a FEL for various tasks. I have seen older Ford 2000, 3000, etc. advertised. If I could find one with a loader I'd be happy. Thanks again!
