The Car-ification of tractors

NewToy · Jan 27, 2006

BC, My particular FarmTrac model is quite basic. My PTO, 4WD and tranny all are manually engaged/operated. The bigger ones have electrically actuated PTO's and are a bit fancier. I wanted a plain (cheap) tractor and I am happy with it. I was also impressed with the roominess of the operator's station. I'm fairly tall, 6'2" and I'm able to get on and off without snagging on something. There is some electronic gadget that "clicks" about 3-5 seconds after you shut the key off. I have no idea what it is but everything is working fine. I'll be hitting 100 hours in a day or two with no problems.

John

gamble77 · Jan 27, 2006

Yours may be basic but the FarmTrac 4 & 5 series are about as basic as they come, no plastic on those things anywhere in site...

To20Chris · Jan 27, 2006

There's a bit of plastic on my LK3054 - the cowl around the instruments, the grab handles on the fenders, and the grill area. Not much, and I like that about it. Given the simple shapes, I could fabricate something out of metal to replace it if parts were not available.

But what electronics are you referring to? Relays ain't electronics, there about as high tech as hammers. There may be some electronics in the guages on my LK, but I wouldn't bet on it. There's a switch on the brake for the lights, and one on the clutch for starting - none of them are gonna disable it. Other than some of the JDs with an electronic control system over the hydro system, (which I would never buy, & I'm an electrical engineer), and some of the guage panels I've seen on Kubotas, I don't think there are any electronics on most any of these machines. Maybe an electronic voltage reg in the alternator - which would be a welcome improvement over the relay style regulators on the old tractors! Any blacksmith worth a darn could coble up a fix for a switch or relay! Heck the tractor switch I most worry about is the starter switch in the gearbox of my old Ferguson, mostly because it'll be a real pain to change.

Anyway, while I personally would stay away from a tractor with a lot of plastic parts, there are planty of new small tractors that are mostly metal, simple, and likely to last as long as my old Fergy.

andrewj · Jan 27, 2006

Volfandt, chipperman, I'll take a peek at Zetor.

I guess the heart of my complaint is not just using plastic...not just using plastic and raising prices through the roof, but doing those things and (just one example) charging over 200 bucks for a complete side assembly when they realized they coudl make more money that way.

Or, another example, not producing under armor for the 5105 because they could make more money repairing the damage to underhanging electronics and gas tank damage than they could by selling a armor plate. are all you guys OK with that type of business policy? somehow it seems to run against the grain of customer service.

andrewj · Jan 27, 2006

( "Why is LG getting into the tractor market? LG for goodness sake? Will Colt and Remington be next? ............ Andrewj, I suppose LG makes tractors to diversify their business. Maybe you have heard of Mitsubishi? They make pretty good tractors, heavy equipment and the big screen TV I'm gonna watch the Superbowl on.

John )

They don't give a hoot about diversifying, they care about raking in incredible profits from consumers who think tractors are cars, and spend accordingly. When a refridgerator /cellphone maker like LG sees incredible profits in tractors, there is something wrong inthe tractor market!

This fits their production model since they are producing goods that are not designed to last pas t a 60 month financing cycle.

neilly2 · Jan 27, 2006

Andrewj

It looks like you're taking a beating here... but that happens.

I can't understand why people blame the manufacturer's. This really is basic as supply and demand. Almost always, there is a high quality alternative that is more expensive vs. a cheaper less quality alternative. Which do people mostly choose? The cheaper one, especially when it is made to look like the more expensive one---enter plastics, and removed skid plates.

Manufacturer's give us what we want. If people truly want the all steel tractors, then Mahindra will corner the market, and the others will have to follow suit to survive. The market dictates the changes.

Incidentally, I agree with you opinion on tractors-- I have a 30 year old gear drive tractor with 1 guage and I wouldn't trade it in for anything. However, my opinion can't be dictated to the rest of the marketplace.

NoMo · Jan 28, 2006

( They don't give a hoot about diversifying, they care about raking in incredible profits from consumers who think tractors are cars, and spend accordingly. When a refridgerator /cellphone maker like LG sees incredible profits in tractors, there is something wrong inthe tractor market!

This fits their production model since they are producing goods that are not designed to last pas t a 60 month financing cycle. )

I don't own a tractor of any brand. So, I've really debated on whether or not to reply. But the "information" being posted is just so erroneous that I felt compelled to correct it.

First, LG (now named LS) started building tractors 30 years ago. Just because you haven't seem them here in the U.S. doesn't mean they haven't been in business for a while.
http://www.lstractor.com:8080/lg/english/company/introduct.jsp

Second, just because a company is diverse doesn't mean their "popular" division has any impact on the other divisions. Take GM for example. They've been building cars for a long, long time. But the auto divisions had nothing to do with the subsidiary that built communications satellites. Two totally unrelated businesses- one you've heard of and one you may use and not even know about! In fact, this post is being submitted over one of their (former) satellite services. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

NewToy · Jan 28, 2006

[They don't give a hoot about diversifying, they care about raking in incredible profits from consumers who think tractors are cars, and spend accordingly. When a refridgerator /cellphone maker like LG sees incredible profits in tractors, there is something wrong inthe tractor market!
This fits their production model since they are producing goods that are not designed to last pas t a 60 month financing cycle]........"andrewj"
Andrew, Are you saying that LG/LS tractors are designed to only last 60 months? You seem to have quite an insight into their business model knowing their profit margins as well as you do. Let us know what they plan to do next since they aren't to keen on diversification, maybe automobiles for us who don't know the difference? Also, please expound on the ills of the tractor market. Your revelations are fascinating! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

daTeacha · Jan 28, 2006

Okay, I've never heard of LG or LS in any place other than this thread. Do they have another name I might recognize? Proctor and Gamble or something??