Pet Peeve?

SPYDERLK · May 8, 2010

Just thot it would be fun to have a thread to bring up substantive issues of design that we think compromise the full utility or general function of tractors. These can be broad issues or those prevalent in only a few. Could the nicest features of all have any chance of being consolidated in a design?
larry

ToadHill · May 8, 2010

I think every design engineer should have to lay under the equipment they design and try to reach all the grease fittings with a hand pump grease gun.

SPYDERLK · May 8, 2010

yeah! ... or be able to grease a loader w/o the engine running so you can move things this way and that to get a shot at the fittings. Some do some dont.

How about this one -- Why doesnt the brake set lock both pedals so you can use independent /split brakes and still set both in one step when you need to dismount. The prevalent design discourages use of split brakes due to the inherent disadvantage to being able to easily park securely.
larry

Soundguy · May 8, 2010

ToadHill said:
I think every design engineer should have to lay under the equipment they design and try to reach all the grease fittings with a hand pump grease gun.

and when they do stupid things like put an unprotected wire harness with quick connect plugs under the belly of the tractor.. especially ones that will prevent the tractor from starting when undone.. then every time one comes undone on a tractor.. they should have to drive out and personally fix each and every one every time it happens.. then they might re-route the wires a lil..

soundguy

kebo · May 8, 2010

I have two pet peeves:

1) Cheezy battery trays.... ALL tractor manufacturers should be required to build the battery tray or battery compartment out of stainless steel, or something that won't corrode from the battery juice. Everybody knows that the batteries get jostled around on a tractor and occasionally will spill some of the fluid inside them. Go ahead, spend the extra money and design it so it won't corrode through in a few years. I'm sure a potential owner would be glad to spend the extra bucks for it.

2) Lighting..... Most tractors have two rather weak 55w bulbs up front, and a spotlight for the rear. That's just not enough in my opinion. How many people do you see on this forum that have added extra lights to their tractor?

buck12 · May 8, 2010

Good posts so far. I'll add EVERY tractor should have a decent tool box.

Thomas · May 9, 2010

I agree w/Soundguy hands down.."unprotected wire harness with quick connect plugs"
in places one can barely reach..does rise blood level a tad.

milkman · May 9, 2010

Should be a law against putting anything but position control on any tractor that has a TPH.

Ray_Fort_White · May 9, 2010

The location of the seat adjustment. My wife is short and I'm tall. She leaves the seat all way forward making it hard for me to get on. I'd like a much easier way too move the seat back. For some reason, I can't seem to get the seat to slide back without actually being on the seat and I have to be a contortionist to do that. Getting my wife to slide the seat back would be as easy as solving the toilet seat up or down issue.

Taylortractornut · May 9, 2010

A friend of mine married a lady from England, and her father and uncle run a company that makes farming/industrial equipment. He went to school to be an engineer and went to workfor them while he was over there. The few days while he was getting settled the FIL asked hime what size he wore. He thought that was funny till monday morning when he got there in his suit and tie and the FIL handed him a set of coverall and told him he was assigned wot work with Martyn the Mechanic.

He hated it first but said it really helped him understand why mechanics didnt like engineers lol. He said that it was deffinately a big shock to see some of his designs with several service flaws.

I know The Caterpillar 518 Skidder converssone that Cat had a company make a feller buncher out of a Cat 518 skidder needed alot of design reworked on it. WHere the bladse was I still uses the blade mounts, but thats where the counterweight and batteries are. When the Radiator has to come off the machines nose of radiator housing is bolted through the counter wieght, main frame, and machine nose. That plus 25 years of rust it almost never came apart lol.

captaincrab55 · May 9, 2010

Ray_Fort_White said:
The location of the seat adjustment. My wife is short and I'm tall. She leaves the seat all way forward making it hard for me to get on. I'd like a much easier way too move the seat back. For some reason, I can't seem to get the seat to slide back without actually being on the seat and I have to be a contortionist to do that. Getting my wife to slide the seat back would be as easy as solving the toilet seat up or down issue.

Simple fix, His & her Tractors (grin).....

brin · May 9, 2010

Think of all the money on parts and labor that is wasted on stupid placement of wiring like soundguy mentioned and how about the filters Hydo and Oil mounted low enough to easily be ripped off in the woods or going over any obstacle and even the placement of the dipstick or fuel filters on Tractors that well may be purchased with a FEL making access difficult to say the least...My. NH - TC- 29D does not even have a cup holder..and no where to mount a tool box.

Soundguy · May 10, 2010

You should have seen the tool box on the NH 1920.. was about 3" wide and ran the length of the back of the seat. wasn't big enough to hold any real tools.. just collected leaves and trash really good..

I like the detachable tool box on my 7610s MUCH better.

on some tractors I've added a military ammo can to the fender.. now there's a tool box!

soundguy
soundguy

JDGreenGrass · May 10, 2010

Does every tractor come with a bucket leveler.??

They should.

eepete · May 10, 2010

No one should be allowed to design anything until they have spent a few years fixing similar items. Fixed main frame computers for a few years when I was 1st out of school, it's affected how I design everything today.

Similarly, all designers should go to the plants where stuff they designed is made. If you want to learn how to lay out a circuit board, go to the plant where the little old ladies in tennis shoes assemble all the stuff that can't be placed by a machine. The education is priceless

.

Agree with all the "stuff that can get whacked should be protected". The freon lines on my cab are placed such that if I had chains and a link broke they would be toast. At the very least, there should be optional brackets and plates available for tractors that can be added on for operators that need them. Low cost to have mounting holes in the chassis, then if you tend to bush hog in the woods or high grass, or use chains in the winter, you can buy the protective covers and put them on.

And what in the world happened that made cup holders more important than tool boxes ???

While the manufacturers are at it, why not contact one in 100 owners two years after they buy a tractor and ask them what they like and dislike? Better/cheaper yet, just have someone scan TBN daily for the best customer feedback you could ever want :thumbsup:

Pete

lakngulf · May 10, 2010

I agree with the better/bigger tool box. Cup holder useless on the terrain I travel. Better lights, yes.

An issue I have run into several times: I am using box blade, or disc, or bush hog (an implement on 3ph). I turn to look over my right shoulder to see how well it is operating, and I hit the key with my knee and kill the tractor. Placement of levers, switches, and keys should be considered

wvpolekat · May 10, 2010

Better lights, pre-drilled light/accessory holes in the ROPS, brakes that can be split/locked together with your foot.

Soundguy · May 10, 2010

wvpolekat said:
, brakes that can be split/locked together with your foot.

Addmittedly I'm a ford/NH guy.. but.. all mine already got those. ( ok.. the 2n has split brakes but are stradle, not together.. the REST of them can be though.. ) Do the hst trans units NOT have split brakes?

soundguy

wvpolekat · May 10, 2010

My Kubota does have split brakes, but the little bar that locks them together you have to flip with your hand. I would like a tab or similar on it so I can flip it back and forth with my foot.