Ledgemere Farm
Veteran Member
A friend of mine has been working as a Deere mechanic for some years and he maintains that they are all basically the same now, it just depends upon which color you prefer. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
What makes a good tractor good?
- Thread starter mundamanu
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DAP
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2001
- Messages
- 1,180
- Tractor
- JD LX288 and a B7800
Frankly, I think that's a queer question. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
The really only concrete answer can be that a good tractor is 'a tractor that will do what you need it to do'.
ANYTHING else you can add to the mix is highly subjective i.e. cost, size, color, style, capacities, durability (yes even that too), availability, etc.
In a nutshell, if you're asking "what's important to you when purchasing a tractor", then ask it. That's a completely different question as I see it.
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
The really only concrete answer can be that a good tractor is 'a tractor that will do what you need it to do'.
ANYTHING else you can add to the mix is highly subjective i.e. cost, size, color, style, capacities, durability (yes even that too), availability, etc.
In a nutshell, if you're asking "what's important to you when purchasing a tractor", then ask it. That's a completely different question as I see it.
/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Frankly, I think that's a queer question. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>
Well, it may be a queer question. Nevertheless, asking it has provided a valuable insight for me. I was under the impression that there were significant and substantive differences between and amongst the major tractor brands in terms of quality.
It turns out that this seems not to be the case, as IHCrules' Deere mechanic-friend verifies. I thought spending the extra thousands for a New Holland got me a significantly better (objectively) tractor than a Branson. I think now it just gets me a different color with maybe a few bells and whistles. As I understand it after considering the answers to the question, both tractors, assuming they are comparably sized and equipped, will do their jobs equally well for an equally long time.
As somebody about to enter the new-CUT market on a tight budget, this is a very important thing to know, queer question or not. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Well, it may be a queer question. Nevertheless, asking it has provided a valuable insight for me. I was under the impression that there were significant and substantive differences between and amongst the major tractor brands in terms of quality.
It turns out that this seems not to be the case, as IHCrules' Deere mechanic-friend verifies. I thought spending the extra thousands for a New Holland got me a significantly better (objectively) tractor than a Branson. I think now it just gets me a different color with maybe a few bells and whistles. As I understand it after considering the answers to the question, both tractors, assuming they are comparably sized and equipped, will do their jobs equally well for an equally long time.
As somebody about to enter the new-CUT market on a tight budget, this is a very important thing to know, queer question or not. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Rimmer
Silver Member
"...one could make the assumption that there is no such thing as a bad tractor, as such, but rather that tractor quality is relative..."
Just a couple of observations (which I'm sure I will regret /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ):
"Good" and "quality" don't always mean the same thing to people.
On the other hand, one definition of "quality," which I believe originated with Quality Guru Phil Crosby is: "Quality is conformance to requirements." I think that is what a lot of responders have been saying -- if the tractor meets my requirements (for power, economy, maintainability, or whatever) then it is "good" or has "quality." It might be made from steel recycled from old ship anchors, and have cardboard fenders, but if it meets my needs (requirements) then it is "good."
It is interesting that by using this definition, the conventional meaning of "quality" is sometimes turned on its head. For example, if I have a Rolls Royce, but it's too big to fit in my garage and too expensive for me to operate, then to me it does not have "quality," no matter how nice the leather seats are! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Similarly, I may have the best tractor the Big Three makes (some might say it is a "quality" tractor), but if I want to plow with it, and the 3PH doesn't have draft control, and the plow keeps popping out of the ground, then it's just not a "good" tractor, at least for me.
Philip Crosby Web Site
Just a couple of observations (which I'm sure I will regret /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif ):
"Good" and "quality" don't always mean the same thing to people.
On the other hand, one definition of "quality," which I believe originated with Quality Guru Phil Crosby is: "Quality is conformance to requirements." I think that is what a lot of responders have been saying -- if the tractor meets my requirements (for power, economy, maintainability, or whatever) then it is "good" or has "quality." It might be made from steel recycled from old ship anchors, and have cardboard fenders, but if it meets my needs (requirements) then it is "good."
It is interesting that by using this definition, the conventional meaning of "quality" is sometimes turned on its head. For example, if I have a Rolls Royce, but it's too big to fit in my garage and too expensive for me to operate, then to me it does not have "quality," no matter how nice the leather seats are! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Similarly, I may have the best tractor the Big Three makes (some might say it is a "quality" tractor), but if I want to plow with it, and the 3PH doesn't have draft control, and the plow keeps popping out of the ground, then it's just not a "good" tractor, at least for me.
Philip Crosby Web Site
NIXON
Veteran Member
As somebody about to enter the new-CUT market on a tight budget, this is a very important thing to know,
As you're in the market, It might help if you state what you expect to do with your machine . For you , cost is a factor . (as it is with most of us ) But do you have a HP requirement ? Are you looking for an fel ?What sort of attachments do you think you'll need ? A good tractor for you is a fairly nebulous for us to define ,considering we don't have any idea of your potential uses . John </font><font color="blue" class="small">( )</font>
As you're in the market, It might help if you state what you expect to do with your machine . For you , cost is a factor . (as it is with most of us ) But do you have a HP requirement ? Are you looking for an fel ?What sort of attachments do you think you'll need ? A good tractor for you is a fairly nebulous for us to define ,considering we don't have any idea of your potential uses . John </font><font color="blue" class="small">( )</font>
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Feels good.
Works hard.
Doesn't complain.
Easy maintenance.
)</font>
i did find it both in my tractor and in my wife, might keep the old girl for another 40 years, might even keep my wife also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Works hard.
Doesn't complain.
Easy maintenance.
)</font>
i did find it both in my tractor and in my wife, might keep the old girl for another 40 years, might even keep my wife also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
grandad
Platinum Member
Many of the folks on TBN are part-time, recreational owners, not full-time farmers and ranchers, so the criteria for whether something is "good" or not are much more subjective.
With that in mind, it's probably difficult to have a general discussion about what features contribute to good design, engineering and quality without slipping into brand vs. brand opinions. That is so much a matter of personal preference that there would never be universal agreement, so I'd guess most people will just accept and respect everyone's right to choose their own favorites.
With that in mind, it's probably difficult to have a general discussion about what features contribute to good design, engineering and quality without slipping into brand vs. brand opinions. That is so much a matter of personal preference that there would never be universal agreement, so I'd guess most people will just accept and respect everyone's right to choose their own favorites.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Grandad:
Always figured a grin on the face before getting on the tractor was an indication of a good tractor.
Egon
Always figured a grin on the face before getting on the tractor was an indication of a good tractor.
Egon
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
<font color="red">I thought spending the extra thousands for a New Holland got me a significantly better (objectively) tractor than a Branson. I think now it just gets me a different color with maybe a few bells and whistles. </font> .
My friend bought a Long a while back, when I still owned my old Yanmar. that got me to think about an upgrade. I looked at them, but wasn't convinced that Long (the company) was who I wanted to be with. Mind you, it is a fine tractor, assembled by LG in Korea, with a Mitsu Diesel; good stuff. The dealer was "just getting started" and had about 20 tractors.
My friend actually went back and bought a second Long. Those two tractors have been disasters. They have spent unbelievable hours at the dealership, with countless parts swapped out.
The only purple tractors on the lot there are customer owned waiting for parts, or ones that have been raided for parts.
But, now there are about six shiny new Bransons on the lot. Now they are a Branson dealer.
But still, there is no parts inventory, no real mechanic, no sign out front.
I bought a Deere after he bought his first Long. I looked at Long , then each of the big three. After much shopping and research, I decided on a Deere. I actually did quite nicely on price, it wasn't higher priced than the Longs. was cheaper than a Kub, or NH.
My Deere dealer has been in business for about 80 years, has a real shop and parts department, they are always going off for training, and are managed somewhat by Deere to assure they are providing quality service. I know that the New Holland and Kubota Dealers stories are very similar.
I imagine it is pretty hard to become and stay a dealer for the big names. I bet the little brands will hardly turn anyone who will buy their products away. And I know there are top notch KiotiBransonLongetc dealers.
But there is more to a tractor than the steel that goes into it, more than the color of paint. It is the commitment that stands behind it.
Its a good dealer, and a good dealer needs someone good behind him, as well.
My friend bought a Long a while back, when I still owned my old Yanmar. that got me to think about an upgrade. I looked at them, but wasn't convinced that Long (the company) was who I wanted to be with. Mind you, it is a fine tractor, assembled by LG in Korea, with a Mitsu Diesel; good stuff. The dealer was "just getting started" and had about 20 tractors.
My friend actually went back and bought a second Long. Those two tractors have been disasters. They have spent unbelievable hours at the dealership, with countless parts swapped out.
The only purple tractors on the lot there are customer owned waiting for parts, or ones that have been raided for parts.
But, now there are about six shiny new Bransons on the lot. Now they are a Branson dealer.
But still, there is no parts inventory, no real mechanic, no sign out front.
I bought a Deere after he bought his first Long. I looked at Long , then each of the big three. After much shopping and research, I decided on a Deere. I actually did quite nicely on price, it wasn't higher priced than the Longs. was cheaper than a Kub, or NH.
My Deere dealer has been in business for about 80 years, has a real shop and parts department, they are always going off for training, and are managed somewhat by Deere to assure they are providing quality service. I know that the New Holland and Kubota Dealers stories are very similar.
I imagine it is pretty hard to become and stay a dealer for the big names. I bet the little brands will hardly turn anyone who will buy their products away. And I know there are top notch KiotiBransonLongetc dealers.
But there is more to a tractor than the steel that goes into it, more than the color of paint. It is the commitment that stands behind it.
Its a good dealer, and a good dealer needs someone good behind him, as well.
