W5FL
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,558
- Location
- Central Texas
- Tractor
- TYM T-1104/TX10 Loader Kubota M6800SD/LA1002 Loader Kubota RTV900
When I was looking to buy a new tractor, the reliability of the tractor was a real issue for me, but little data seemed to be available. I believe in self-sufficiency and hate to have to rely on a dealership to fix or service anything that I own. When my old Massey broke (and I literally mean broke the front axle off) dealer was backed up for 3 months for Massey and I wound up having to replace the front casting, pin, radiator, crankshaft pulley, oil pan gasket, sleeve bearings, etc. while the tractor was setting in my son's front yard. I was not particularly impressed with the tractor or the local dealer's shop. I then toured every make of tractor in the area and went to their shop to see what kind of problems they were having and talked to the mechanics to find out what their biggest complaints and problems were. I also looked at the tractors used by rental fleets and rental places and talked to them about the problems that they had with the tractors.
It certainly varied by make, but one thing became very clear. All wiring on a tractor that is near a tire or under the tractor is very likely to get torn off, as are electrical components. Electrical connections and fuses, etc are also very subject to rusting badly where they are not adequately protected from rain. Vertical exhaust engines not suitably protected from the weather can rust shut and freeze up an engine, and clutches left out in the weather can freeze to the pressure plate. Some tractors are much worse than others in these aspects.
As problems are discussed in this forum, electrical parts seem to cause more problems than far more complex mechanical parts. I used this information as I shopped for a tractor.
I was not impressed with technology gadgets (and I sincerely believe in technology) for tractors. John Deere and Kubota and even Massey did the best job of keeping things simple, yet effective. The Kubota shops were always clean and seemed to always be doing primarily make readies rather than repairs and in addition they ran a large rental fleet of Kubota's.
Since I am an engineer, my attitude does not reflect a bias on technology or electrical design, but my Massey didn't have a single wire left under a fender, frame or rear end that hadn't been ripped off or a single connection under the dash that was not rusted so bad that it did not make reliable contact.
As a result, I favor mechanical things that are very positive in their actions and do not quit working when exposed to dust, dirt, sunshine, rain, and mud. My tractor will see a lot of these (once the rain comes back to Texas). I like the Kubota 4WD system with no U Joints and a high-speed driveshaft that is protected from the environment under the tractor. The rear differential lock is a pedal to the differential and the front differential lock is a cable. The brakes are wet mechanical and work well. The shuttle is a lever to the transmission. The engine is clean burning and very low maintenance with everything well thought out and accessible.
My interest was in an Ag tractor and I bought the Kubota M6800SD 4WD tractor with LA1002 loader and quick attach 6 ft bucket. Yes, I believe I can maintain the tractor myself for its useful life. It looks and feels like it was designed to last forever and be maintained without special tools in remote farmland or remote countries with simple tools. Where special tools are required, the shop manual gives the instructions to making them out of standard available materials.
How much does (or did) reliabilty of the tractor affect your decision to buy?
It certainly varied by make, but one thing became very clear. All wiring on a tractor that is near a tire or under the tractor is very likely to get torn off, as are electrical components. Electrical connections and fuses, etc are also very subject to rusting badly where they are not adequately protected from rain. Vertical exhaust engines not suitably protected from the weather can rust shut and freeze up an engine, and clutches left out in the weather can freeze to the pressure plate. Some tractors are much worse than others in these aspects.
As problems are discussed in this forum, electrical parts seem to cause more problems than far more complex mechanical parts. I used this information as I shopped for a tractor.
I was not impressed with technology gadgets (and I sincerely believe in technology) for tractors. John Deere and Kubota and even Massey did the best job of keeping things simple, yet effective. The Kubota shops were always clean and seemed to always be doing primarily make readies rather than repairs and in addition they ran a large rental fleet of Kubota's.
Since I am an engineer, my attitude does not reflect a bias on technology or electrical design, but my Massey didn't have a single wire left under a fender, frame or rear end that hadn't been ripped off or a single connection under the dash that was not rusted so bad that it did not make reliable contact.
As a result, I favor mechanical things that are very positive in their actions and do not quit working when exposed to dust, dirt, sunshine, rain, and mud. My tractor will see a lot of these (once the rain comes back to Texas). I like the Kubota 4WD system with no U Joints and a high-speed driveshaft that is protected from the environment under the tractor. The rear differential lock is a pedal to the differential and the front differential lock is a cable. The brakes are wet mechanical and work well. The shuttle is a lever to the transmission. The engine is clean burning and very low maintenance with everything well thought out and accessible.
My interest was in an Ag tractor and I bought the Kubota M6800SD 4WD tractor with LA1002 loader and quick attach 6 ft bucket. Yes, I believe I can maintain the tractor myself for its useful life. It looks and feels like it was designed to last forever and be maintained without special tools in remote farmland or remote countries with simple tools. Where special tools are required, the shop manual gives the instructions to making them out of standard available materials.
How much does (or did) reliabilty of the tractor affect your decision to buy?