New Electra-Tach attachment?

[ADoc12]

I'm looking to get a christmas present for my brother why has a compact tractor. My New Holland dealer told about an Electra-Tach product. I understand that it is an electric power change over for the front end loader. Has anyone ever used one or know more about it? I went to the website (Home Page) but I'm looking for someone that has any opinions.

Adam (Ohio)

 

[PBinWA]

Very cool! What was the price on it?

 

[ADoc12]

I believe he said $500. Don't remember if that included install or not. I think it will be a huge convenience factor for my brother because he has a whole ton of different FEL attachments. Any thoughts there sir, or anyone else?

 

[shaley]

So does he already have a quick attach on his loader and attachments?

 

[ADoc12]

Yes he does. From what I understand, it goes on the quick attach and allows you to press a switch to lock and unlock the QA system from your seat. I believe that it allows you to change attachments without getting off the tractor.

 

[PBinWA]

You sound like a nice brother - are your parents looking to adopt another boy?

 

[40Kchicks]

Cat and several other manufacturers offer a hydraulic quick attach for their skid steers. I priced it for my Cat skid steer and they wanted $750. I’d really like it but it is a little hard to justify since the quick attach is already so easy.

Eric

 

[cub_man]

ADoc12

I have one of these on my tractor and have to tell you it's great. It was $500 extra with a new tractor but money well spent. Takes me 20 seconds to take off the bucket to cut the grass then another 20 seconds to put it back on. It's like the power windows on your car/truck. Once you have them theres no turning back. Talk about a heck of a nice brother!

 

[ADoc12]

Right now I am leaning toward purchasing the Electra-Tach unit because my brother is one of those guys who loves gadgets. I probably cannot even count how many attachments he has for his NH machine. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this particular product?

 

[jmc]

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this particular product?

Well, since you asked, my SECOND thought is you still have to get off the tractor if the attachment has a hydraulic line to hook up.

But my FIRST thought is that you may be trying to do a clumsy promo for the product. It bears a resemblance to a guy who parachuted in out of the blue and peppered the board about a certain brand of tracked loader. We'll see if you stick around and contribute to any discussions not involving this product. He didn't.

 

[joes_427_vette]

My skeptical side says the same. Free advertising in the guise of being this great relative. If I bought my brother a present I wouldn't have to have the forums permission or thoughts. He should be asking the receipent if he would like one. The profile says it all....... O

 

[ADoc12]

Thanks buddy, appreciate the help. If I was a "tractor guy" or had the knowledge worthy of sticking around and contributing perhaps I would. But since I got this site from my dealer (actually my brother's NH dealer) in order to gather info on this product, I guess all I have to say for myself is that I am a simple minded marketing consultant that has no idea of what he's talking about.

Thank you to the gentlemen who did offer some helpful info. I appreciate your help!

 

[shaley]

I think Adam had a ligitamate question. It's a little fishy when a new user with 1 post chimes in and and says he has one and it's the best thing he ever owned. Either way, if you think your brother would like it you could purchase it for him. If it performs well and everything is as expected please post a followup and let us know. Pictures would be nice also.
IMHO $500 is alot for an electric actuator that flips the links and pins on a Q tach. I'd get a 12vDC ball screw actuator from Surplus Center for $79 and do it myself.

 

[jmc]

Thanks buddy, appreciate the help. If I was a "tractor guy" or had the knowledge worthy of sticking around and contributing perhaps I would. But since I got this site from my dealer (actually my brother's NH dealer) in order to gather info on this product, I guess all I have to say for myself is that I am a simple minded marketing consultant that has no idea of what he's talking about.

Thank you to the gentlemen who did offer some helpful info. I appreciate your help!

You may not be misrepresenting yourself and if not, I apologize. But if this were a poker game, I'd be raising.

 

[swines]

Thanks buddy, appreciate the help. If I was a "tractor guy" or had the knowledge worthy of sticking around and contributing perhaps I would. But since I got this site from my dealer (actually my brother's NH dealer) in order to gather info on this product, I guess all I have to say for myself is that I am a simple minded marketing consultant that has no idea of what he's talking about.

Thank you to the gentlemen who did offer some helpful info. I appreciate your help!

Yeah, I get really tired of the continued and rampant cynicism displayed on every Internet forum I frequent. There's just no need for it.

It appears that no one who frequents this site has the slightest idea about the product, save for the one new person who says he owns one but, can't provide much more information past that point.

In my opinion, it sounds like a nifty gadget if your brother has a lot of front end loader (FEL) attachments. You need to find out whether the attachments he has fit the front end loader or the tractor's 3-point hitch (rear attachment point).

Let's say he only has two FEL attachements (bucket and forks for example), then you need to feign interest in his tractor and ask questions about it under the guise of "gee what a nifty piece of equipment - tell me what you use it for" - and ask how many times he changes FEL attachments.

If it's 2x a month, I don't think the attachment is worth the price. If he says sometimes 1 to 2x a day; or 4 (or more) times a week - then it would be useful.

Lastly, I'd asked the NH dealer if he can bring it back for credit on other "tractor things" if he doesn't like it or feel that he needs it.

FWIW - I have a John Deere tractor and 3 FEL attachments. I'd probably consider buying one if they made one to fit a JD as I sometimes change buckets 2 or 3x a day (rock bucket to move rocks and standard bucket to move gravel).

 

[ADoc12]

Hey guys, appreciate the comments.

No hard feelings jmc, I can definately see now where you are coming from. I understand what you are saying about that one comment.

Once again guys, I really appreciate the help! I have a feeling I am going to go with it, but I should and will make sure that he could exchange it if he does not want it.

By the way, really good site you have going here. Wish there were ones for some of my hobbies! Take care gentlemen.

 

[cub_man]

To all who are welcoming me with open arms to TBN. Have you taken a look at my join date? I have been a member of TBN for a very long time. Experienced the great TBN crash where all posts, accounts, etc were totally lost. Re-registered after the crash and really hadn't posted since. I recently jumped on, saw a fellow tractor owner/owner's brother had a question and offered my help. That's how this forum "used" to work. Lot of great people here. At least back then anyways. Thanks for the heartfelt comments!

With regards to Electra-Tach. It is far more than some DC actuator. I paid the $500 for it and like most folks, do my research before I purchase and pay out money for something. It's money well spent. I did look at alternatives/build my own. Might be able to DIY for less but I seriously doubt it.

 

[4x4sche]

Stupid idea. It takes 15 seconds to get off the seat and to operate a couple of levers. The excercise is good for you. Who needs more stuff to go wrong. P.S. I don't have electric locks or power windows on my truck ... and don't want them!

 

[MossRoad]

Stupid idea. It takes 15 seconds to get off the seat and to operate a couple of levers. The excercise is good for you. Who needs more stuff to go wrong. P.S. I don't have electric locks or power windows on my truck ... and don't want them!

Power actuated quick attaches are not stupid. In fact, they are awsome. Power Trac tractors come standard with FEL arms and a hydraulically actuated quick attach system. Power Trac owners have the luxury of being able to change any non powered implement in 15 seconds without getting off the tractor. This makes the tractor super-productive as you can change implements many times without losing any production time.

Watch this video of me on my Power Trac change an implement in less than 15 seconds. Hydraulically powered implements like power angle snow plows, grapple buckets, mowers, augers, etc... take an additional 15 seconds to change the hoses.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm looking to get a christmas present for my brother why has a compact tractor. My New Holland dealer told about an Electra-Tach product. I understand that it is an electric power change over for the front end loader. Has anyone ever used one or know more about it? I went to the website (Home Page) but I'm looking for someone that has any opinions.

Adam (Ohio)

In my opinion, I would prefer to see a hydraulically operated quick attach than an electrically operated quick attach because the additional hydraulic circuit up front would be handy for a grapple, power angle blade or 4-in-one bucket. I would save my $500.00 and put it toward that conversion instead of the electric one. Neat idea, though.