Nebraska tractor tests(Kubota)

[gotcha]

Man, I have no idea what the heck you guys are all talking about, but I'm sure glad I stopped in and gave it a kick start after it sat for 4 days without a sole stopping in and commenting on the topic. If it continues a little longer I might get to know more about testing tractors out in Nebraska.
The Gotcha Man

 

[Z-Michigan]

It'd really be nice if the tests could be standardized, by OECD or whoever. I've looked up OECD tests of Kioti's and their results were almost useless/meaningless. The NE tractor test lab results are thorough and, IMHO, useful. But I see no reason the same test couldn't be done in various labs around the world, and done once for all markets.

No knock on Kubota, which makes good tractors, but some brands that seem equally good in marketing have WAY different results in NE tractor testing when you compare (1) rated specs to tested specs, and (2) fuel consumption in the lab.

 

[Cargun]

They've been testing tractors for at least the last 60 years, I doubt it'll be going away anytime soon. Whenever you look at horsepower or fuel economy numbers for a car, those numbers were achieved after following a specific test procedure that is the same between manufacturers. Because of this you can look at a Kia brochure and compare the horsepower and fuel economy numbers to a Chevy. (A new horsepower test procedure was rolled out in 2007, some cars horsepower numbers went up, others went down). Numbers like payload and towing capacity are still done by each individual manufacture, who probably use different standards (there is talk of a universal test procedure in the future, because of a lot of 'inflated' numbers being advertised for 1/2 ton trucks).

ALL figures in tractor brochures are determined by each manufacturer, with their own testing procedures. So the way things are now you can't reliably compare advertised numbers. The OECD (Nebraska being the US test location) is the only place I know of to get a fair comparison between tractors. I've seen Kubota/JD/NH etc. all fail to meet advertised specs in the Nebraska tests. Being from that area, I think the reason Kubota doesn't have many tractors tested is that farm country is not a big market for them. Their key market is compact and utility tractors, not ag tractors. Having grown up in western Iowa and seen thousands of tractors, I never saw a Kubota until I moved to Oklahoma! I'm sure as they expand their productline upwards they will get more models tested.

 

[N80]

Right, but if I'm Mr. Kubota and I'm probably the most successful tractor seller in the US without getting my tractors tested.....well, I don't have much reason to subject my machines to testing done in a different country, especially when that organization includes some type of influence or at least co-operation by 'US Tractor Manufacturers'.....who just happen to be my direct (and very unhappy) competition. I would simply let customer satisfaction speak for itself, which has apparently been working.

In addition, of Kubotas line of tractors I'd bet the smallest of them are the best selling and much of what the Nebraska tests test for is pretty much irrelevant. Even at current fuel prices, who cares what kind of 'mileage' a BX 1850 gets?

If and when the marketing value of the Nebraska tests becomes meaningful to Kubota, they'll play ball. And if they are going to let some of their machines be tested now, then that time may be here. If Mahindra and Kioti are playing the Nebraska game, Kubota may have to as well to stay competative.

But do you think JD or NH would submit their machines to test by an organization that had 'Nippon Tractor Manufactures' in the center of their organizational structure?

 

[dgl24087]

If I remember correctly, nothing under 40 PTO HP is tested.

 

[N80]

Cargun, in your comparison to car testing I have a couple of thoughts. First, even though the mpg testing might be standardized, the only thing that has been standard about it (in my experience) is that I never had any vehicle perform as well as the numbers provided. The point is not even to question the standard or how they do the test. The point is, when that test doesn't coincide with practical experience then the value of the test is decreased and relegated, as our mpg numbers are, to marketing hype.

Second, as far as hp in autos. Where are they testing this? At the flywheel? I hope not, because flywheel horsepower has little or nothing to do with actual performance.

I don't mention these two things to quibble. I'm simply pointing out that if the testing doesn't impact practical use or experience, or that is heavily enfluenced by lobbying entities such as the manufacturers, then many will see such tests as an uneven playing field. Kubota may feel this way.

But I think the real issue is the 40 hp limit. I'd be curious to know 1) what percentage of Kubotas models have more than 40hp at the PTO? and 2) what percentage of their market share is composed of those tractors?

Around here, on real farms, JD and NH are the rule, but you do see some Kubotas. But the local JD dealer tells me most of his sales are in CUTS and lawnmowers. Do you think Kubota is trying to tap into an Ag market that already seems kind of stagnant? Maybe so. If so, they may need to submit to Neb testing to obtain legitimacy.

 

[JerryG]

If I remember correctly, nothing under 40 PTO HP is tested.

Here is what they test and why.
http://tractortestlab.unl.edu/board/ttl_action24.pdf

 

[LarryRB]

someone here posted if not tested, then not sold, How can this be? Certainly doesn't sound like free market to me.,

 

[john_bud]

someone here posted if not tested, then not sold, How can this be? Certainly doesn't sound like free market to me.,

Who said "free market" and what definition?

Nebraska is free to tack on any requirement they want to as long as it doesn't contradict a federal statute. And, any tractor can be sold in Nebraska as long as they have them tested. Much like electronics and electrical devices need UL certs.

jb