Buying Advice New Tractor Delivery Hour Meter

[oosik]

My new Kubota had 2.4 hours at delivery which I figured was - loading, unloading, FEL instal & testing and generally getting a new machine ready for delivery. Hmmmmm - - almost ten days and not a peep. Does make one wonder.

 

[joshuabardwell]

That's a cool piece of info that I did not know. I thought that my hour meter seemed to run a little "slow". Thank you.

I don't think that's universal. Some run at the same rate independent of engine RPM.

 

[DavesTractor]

Seems most construction equipment runs on a Hobbs type meter, independent of RPM. I think many of them have a system that keeps the hour meter from gaining time unless the engine is running. I think it may use the oil pressure switch to close the Hobbs meter circuit. Most ag tractors are rpm dependent, which actually is a good thing in my opinion as it more closely reflect that amount of work done with the machine.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Seems most construction equipment runs on a Hobbs type meter, independent of RPM.

Well, now I am going back to double-check, but I thought my Bobcat (a.k.a. Kioti) was independent. But Kioti is certainly an ag-style tractor more than a construction equipment.

 

[DavesTractor]

I think if you idle your Bobcat/Kioti at 1100rpm for an hour, it will only show 1/2 hour gained.

I have heard it said that the best indicator of actual work done is total fuel used. Not that we have a meter for that cumulatively, but it makes sense. You can run a tractor at PTO RPM with a light load and it will show an hour for an hour, or you can run it at that speed at 100% of it's potential HP being used (like tilling or mowing with a large implement and fast ground speed) and it still shows an hour, but it was a mighty tough hour with the temps up and working very hard. In one case you used 1/2 gallon, in the other you used 2 gallons. Interesting concept.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think if you idle your Bobcat/Kioti at 1100rpm for an hour, it will only show 1/2 hour gained.

I have heard it said that the best indicator of actual work done is total fuel used. Not that we have a meter for that cumulatively, but it makes sense. You can run a tractor at PTO RPM with a light load and it will show an hour for an hour, or you can run it at that speed at 100% of it's potential HP being used (like tilling or mowing with a large implement and fast ground speed) and it still shows an hour, but it was a mighty tough hour with the temps up and working very hard. In one case you used 1/2 gallon, in the other you used 2 gallons. Interesting concept.

How does the hour meter work on a Mahindra?

 

[DavesTractor]

How does the hour meter work on a Mahindra?

Based on engine RPM like most ag tractors. Some are mechanical, some take an electronic signal off a rotating part like an alternator.

 

[OldMcDonald]

DavesTractor, Spot on. It is a favourite saying of mine when I especially agree with somebody. I am close to the 2500hrs service on my tractor. I pay the NH dealer I bought it from to service it every 250hrs because someday I will sell it through him. The first 1000hrs was clocked up in a few months and I have had the machine eight years. The first 1000 was almost flat out with a stone rake I built and then removing the stone with another home built piece of equipment. Since then it has been mainly light work, and I use very little fuel compared with the first year.

 

[Jtschnel]

My wife got a new Kubota last month and it has 0.1 hour on it and that's where she drove it around the lot. To me new is less than 1 hour. I feel if it has more than 3 hours it must be used. We had a choice and the other one had 5 hours on it but it also had grass under the deck and dust everywhere and nicked blades. I felt like it was used.

Took delivery of a 1026R yesterday, had 0.5 hrs on it. The one delivered earlier this year (May) had less than 2 hours, think it was 1.5. To me those were "new". Even if it had only been at the dealer or at shows/displays, when you start getting 10-20 hours on something, in my opinion it is used or a demonstrator. As has been stated, you most likely won't know how those hours were incurred or who put them on. I'd certainly ask for a concession on the price. Just my thoughts.

 

[Maxify55]

A thousand apologies to all concerned.

When it finally arrived it had 1.6 hours on the clock.

I found that to be an acceptable amount of time.

What say you, Guys?