Strength of Iseki's ????

Chris_in_Oz · Aug 20, 2006

Went out this weekend to look for a brush hog. The three "farm-type" places I went to seemed keen to suggest a 4' hog until I told them it was to go onto an Iseki. The only one who would comment further said that the PTO geartrain on ALL Iseki's are "designed and built like a wristwatch, not like a tractor"! He said the gears were narrow and "weren't up to much". He then took me outside, heading away from the hogs, to look at his range of sit-n-ride mowers!

Was he talking out of some dark, foul-smelling place, or is there some truth to his comments?

Harleymsn · Aug 20, 2006

Well, I have been bush hogging (4ft) my place with my 1610 for 2 summers now with no problem at all. And I sure would not use the wife's John Deere X300 in the places I take the Iseki.
I think you may have got his aroma right.

JerryG · Aug 20, 2006

Morning Chris,
Sounds like the old "that other guys tractor has lots of problems, so buy mine" thing. You know that the selling dealers tractors are ALWAYS superior to ANYONE else's. It happens with all brands.

Chris_in_Oz · Aug 20, 2006

I see that. I wouldn't have minded if he had pointed me to something that was obviously more powerful than my TU155 (a Caterpillar D9, perhaps...), but a weedy 3HP mower! If I had been of weaker constitution, his comments might have made me sad... There are PLENTY of people out there more than willing to take my cash - he certainly won't be seeing any of it.

rich_ncal · Aug 20, 2006

I use my TS1610 to run a Howse 48" rotary cutter. I am very impressed with how strong this little tractor is. I think these are well made for this type of work.

Iplayfarmer · Aug 20, 2006

It would just make sense to me that Iseki's (and all grey markets for that matter) would be built to be tough. The big difference between an Iseki and a lawn mower is that the Iseki was built for someone to make a living with. Iseki would never have survived to this point if is was "built like a wristwatch". The Japanese farmers would have just stopped buying them.

mopacman · Aug 20, 2006

The Iseki is built to run a rototiller on the PTO. That is a lot toughfer on my tl3200 than running a Hog

keltonkrew · Aug 21, 2006

My Bolens (1981 model) G174 (Iseki) was used mainly for running a 4' brush cutter and a 4' rotary tiller......I never had any problems what so ever from that tractor until it was stolen earlier this year.....

My new MF GC2300 is built by Iseki. I run the same brush cutter and rotary tiller with it and no problems.

Chris_in_Oz · Aug 21, 2006

Thanks for all the comments. Backs up what I believed anyway!

JJPWAus · Aug 23, 2006

Chris,
I have a TS1910 and have been using my slasher on it for about 3 years now to mow my 2.5ac. with no problems. Even mowed a few large size boondies which almost stalled the machine but no damage done. I have an Agrizzi unit built in Bunbury and am very happy with it.
Where are you located?