Comparison Tractor decision dilemma

[Rambo33]

G'day Everyone,

Having a bit of a dilemma on 2 tractors. It does seem like bit of a no brainer but it isn't happening for me. They are in the 65 to 90 horse power range.

Tractor 1 is the cheaper option, does feel cheaper but comes with a wet clutch.
Tractor 2 does not come with a wet clutch, is slightly more expensive and definitely feels like a better built tractor (and is supposedly better on fuel.)

Both are from well known brands which I don't want name for the comparison. Both are turbocharged but tractor 2 is intercooled. Hydraulics are very similar too.

I do not do loader work or constantly stop so the wet clutch isn't a necessity for me. But I'm well aware of benefits of the wet clutch.

Thoughts?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The more info you provide, the better your responses will be. You are talking about different class sizes here. Maybe a little more of just what the machine will be doing. You really are being too vague to get any good advise IMO.

Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[Rambo33]

Hi Mtnview, thanks for that.

The tractors are the same HP, 75. I was just giving the HP range as a guide to the class I'm looking at.
Tractor weights are the same. Both are rops. Both are front wheel assist.

The main use will be tillage work and running the odd hydraulic motor every now and then. Tractor 2 actually comes with an extra set of remotes standard.

The main reason I'm having difficulty deciding is due to the wet clutch. Am I stupid paying a little bit more for a tractor that doesn't have it?

 

[Baby Grand]

Hi Mtnview, thanks for that.

The tractors are the same HP, 75. I was just giving the HP range as a guide to the class I'm looking at.
Tractor weights are the same. Both are rops. Both are front wheel assist.

The main use will be tillage work and running the odd hydraulic motor every now and then. Tractor 2 actually comes with an extra set of remotes standard.

The main reason I'm having difficulty deciding is due to the wet clutch. Am I stupid paying a little bit more for a tractor that doesn't have it?

Personally, all other things being equal, I'd pay extra for the one that has it.
A wet clutch should last & last, compared to a dry clutch, handling the same work load.

>EDIT<

After reading your post, a second time, and this time actually paying attention to what you stated & not what I thought you meant, I now understand your dilemma a lot more clearly. I guess it's hard to give any advice without more information than what we have, so far.

Are the transmissions the same?
Both makes represented locally, by dealers that you'd actually want to visit a second time?
Parts availability the same for both tractors?

What, exactly, will you be doing with the tractor you select?

Your perception that one is built noticeably better than the other should be raising some red flags on the "other".

 

[TJP89]

What brand and model tractor are you looking at. Then we know and can help better. Personally, my philosophy is if I pay less for cheaper quality up front, I'll end up paying more later. Therefore, if I buy something, buy the best quality. I've also proven this multiple times, my most recent being with chainsaws.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

What brand and model tractor are you looking at. Then we know and can help better. . . .

Yes, what he said. I'm not sure why the OP feels the need for the cloak and dagger approach to this question.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Yes, what he said. I'm not sure why the OP feels the need for the cloak and dagger approach to this question.

My thinking is that he is trying to get an unbiased opinion. But he should be collecting everyone's experience. Hard to do that when you don't know what you're dealing with other than generalities. :confused3:

 

[jenkinsph]

My thinking is that he is trying to get an unbiased opinion. But he should be collecting everyone's experience. Hard to do that when you don't know what you're dealing with other than generalities. :confused3:

Years ago all of the tractors we had were dry clutch and they performed admirably. Lots more to consider than just the clutch pack, how about tires? A full set cost more than a dry clutch change in most cases.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Years ago all of the tractors we had were dry clutch and they performed admirably. Lots more to consider than just the clutch pack, how about tires? A full set cost more than a dry clutch change in most cases.

Why quote me from post #7 ??? :confused3: Anyway, weren't the older tractors fit with larger diameter clutches than what is used today? That might be why the older stuff held up fine. I don't know, only speculating here. It seemed to me that his biggest concern was the clutch type seeing as that is what he asked about. Of course there are a lot of variables that should ALL be considered when making a purchase. :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

Why quote me from post #7 ??? :confused3: Anyway, weren't the older tractors fit with larger diameter clutches than what is used today? That might be why the older stuff held up fine. I don't know, only speculating here. It seemed to me that his biggest concern was the clutch type seeing as that is what he asked about. Of course there are a lot of variables that should ALL be considered when making a purchase. :thumbsup:

I had a sentence in there agreeing with your post, don't know what happened to it.:confused3: Then dropped down to add what was posted. The questions are too general to offer advice.

 

[Rambo33]

The reason I don't want to mention brands is because then it becomes an unbiased opinion from some. With everything else being equal, i just wanted thoughts on am I being silly paying more for a tractor that doesn't have a wet clutch but is more fuel efficient and is better built.
Weights are equal, hydraulic flows are the same. Both are 3 Cyclinder turbo but one has an intercooler. service intervals are the same. etc etc.

I know the benefits of a wet clutch. But as i previously said I'm not doing loader work. A lot of tillage and towing is what I'm using the tractor for.

Wat size clutches roughly were many of the older tractors fitted with, Mtnview?

 

[scaredychicken]

I'm assuming that you are comparing NEW, on the dealership floor / yard, tractors, rather than used ones that you have considered.

My experience with the users on this forum is that the more details you provide (I know, goes against your intent), the better information you get. There are links here to brand specific tractors that you have probably already looked at. I know nothing about clutches (sorry) - all HST for me.

after everything - it just comes down to what colour you prefer (the ole Chevy, Dodge, Ford discussion of the tractor world)

happy hunting

 

[Mathias NY]

I definitely understand the desire to avoid a brand discussion.

Can you tell us how many hours a year you plan to run the tractor and how many years you plan to keep it? Are you the primary operator? Do you plan to sell or trade in a couple years? Are you looking a new or used? Is this your only tractor or a backup machine? These types of questions can help us provide better feedback.

From my perspective, if you are looking at a new machine and you are the primary operator, the clutch difference isn't really that big a deal. Both machines will do the job well. If money is not a concern, test drive both machines and buy the one that 'feels' the best. Every brand has different ideas on what comfortable feels like and one will probably seem better to you than the other. If money is a concern just buy the cheaper one, you won't be disappointed.

Good luck.

 

[Rambo33]

I definitely understand the desire to avoid a brand discussion.

Can you tell us how many hours a year you plan to run the tractor and how many years you plan to keep it? Are you the primary operator? Do you plan to sell or trade in a couple years? Are you looking a new or used? Is this your only tractor or a backup machine? These types of questions can help us provide better feedback.

From my perspective, if you are looking at a new machine and you are the primary operator, the clutch difference isn't really that big a deal. Both machines will do the job well. If money is not a concern, test drive both machines and buy the one that 'feels' the best. Every brand has different ideas on what comfortable feels like and one will probably seem better to you than the other. If money is a concern just buy the cheaper one, you won't be disappointed.

Good luck.

Thanks Mathias. I know myself I find it extremely hard to be unbiased when it comes to cars or tractors and I am pretty open minded.

It is is going to be one of 2 primary tractors where I'm the primary operator. Looking at a new tractor. I'll probably be doing 300 hours a year with it. Fuel economy is a big thing for me and having had a good run in the past with dry clutches (knock on wood) has me leaning towards the tractor with the dry clutch.
3 weeks ago the thought of purchasing the tractor with the dry clutch was a joke to me considering for the same money or less I could get tractor with a wet clutch.

 

[jenkinsph]

The reason I don't want to mention brands is because then it becomes an unbiased opinion from some. With everything else being equal, i just wanted thoughts on am I being silly paying more for a tractor that doesn't have a wet clutch but is more fuel efficient and is better built.
Weights are equal, hydraulic flows are the same. Both are 3 Cyclinder turbo but one has an intercooler. service intervals are the same. etc etc.

I know the benefits of a wet clutch. But as i previously said I'm not doing loader work. A lot of tillage and towing is what I'm using the tractor for.

Wat size clutches roughly were many of the older tractors fitted with, Mtnview?

If I were buying a new tractor (larger with a gear tranny) today I would prefer a wet clutch. I prefer a wet clutch, a wet sleeved engine, planetary gears, mfwd and power shuttle or power shift transmission. What I may settle for may be different, at that point I would have to decide which things were more important in that scenario. Good luck with your decision.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Are the transmission choices the same? What about radial vs bias tires? Any wheel weights or loaded tires? Hydraulic scv run about a grand per pair. Does one have telescopic draft links? Is one top link or bottom link sensing? WHT about emissions? Is either one a tier 4? Have you test driven either one to get a feel for the controls?

 

[boblibido]

If it was me I would buy the first tractor. Unless that is not the first tractor then I would buy the second tractor. But to not be biased I would add a third tractor. But, if I was doing general work as opposed to not so general work then I would get the second tractor with the wet clutch unless it was the first tractor that had a wet clutch then I would get that one unless the third one was actually the first and then I wouldn't worry about what this post doesn't say regardless of what I was buying since I have no idea what you are doing with the tractor.

That being said, I can't wait to see the pictures of the new purchase.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Well, my most used loader tractor has a dry clutch and after more than a thousand hours of HARD loader use, it still works perfectly and has not needed any adjustment...

A clutch last according to how you use it!!

If you use it "like you are suppose to" use it, it will last a LONG time, if you are one of those guys that likes to slip the clutch all the time, then yes, a wet clutch will last a lot longer.

Choose a low enough gear that you don't need to slip the clutch and you won't have any clutch problems for a LONG LONG time!!

SR

 

[TJP89]

I understand the want and need for unbiased opinions, but most of us here give such opinions anyway. It is impossible for the OP to give every detail that may be pertinent. Often there are little things, or additional stats about the tractor that people know. There was a recent post in which the OP was comparing two tractors. As he had stated the model and brand, we were able to look up the tractor and pointed out several things about each tractor that the poster had overlooked and ultimately determined which tractor he bought. Also, biased opinions are easily recognized and ignored.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I understand the want and need for unbiased opinions, but most of us here give such opinions anyway. It is impossible for the OP to give every detail that may be pertinent. Often there are little things, or additional stats about the tractor that people know. There was a recent post in which the OP was comparing two tractors. As he had stated the model and brand, we were able to look up the tractor and pointed out several things about each tractor that the poster had overlooked and ultimately determined which tractor he bought. Also, biased opinions are easily recognized and ignored.

Exactly. :thumbsup::thumbsup: