abou27.com

[steve24rdg]

Hello to all
I am new to this site and farming in general.
I was just wondering out of interest what you look for when buying a tractor for your area of farming.
are there certain things you require if say you are a vegetable farmer that a dairy or ceral farmer does not need so much
im sure there are a million and one different things that are important for different tasks but if you dont mind taking the time id really like to know.
perhaps if there is enough interest in this topic we could make a poll of certain things.
Many thanks
Steve

[72uoba]

Hi Steve,

Firstly, welcome to the site - I hope you enjoy your time here

As far as your question goes, then yes, certainly different types of farmers will be looking for different things from their tractors. For example, arable and vegetable farmers are more likely to be frequently performing cultivation work and so may require larger, more powerful tractors with a good strong linkage that can lift as much as possible. Vegetable farmers are almost definitely going to be looking for a 'creeper' gearbox for many of their tasks. Mixed farmers may be more likely to require a slightly smaller all round tractor in a lower power bracket that can fit into farm buildings as well as perform field duties. They would probably require a loader on their tractor too so it needs to be stable too and offer unobstructed views up and out the front (many have front-opening sunroofs for loader visibility). A dairy farm might require a tractor that can cope with a heavy slurry tanker but will be probably be concentrating on one that fits their silaging needs.

Another small thing is stock farmers are likely to be frequently getting i nand out of their tractors, so access moves up the importance list. Conversely, purely arable farmers are maybe more likely to spend an extended time in their tractors and so cab space and comfort become more critical.

I guess that it also very much depends on whether a farmer can afford more than one tractor. In such a case, I'm sure that many would run a lowish horsepower tractor of 100-125hp for lighter tasks.

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list but may give some pointers!

So, when you say you're new to farming, have you recently acquired a farm or have you recently joined the industry? Are you planning on buying a tractor yourself?
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[steve]

Hi there Steve - we're up to two Steves now

How about heading over to the underused introductions forum and telling us more about yourself? We're really nosey here and don't answer questions until we know the name of your cat.

Dinnae worry, only kidding
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[steve24rdg]

Thanks 72uoba very interesting
which just makes me want to know more
If it is of interest I could knock up a questionaire covering tractor features and options so people could post what is important to them. this might be easier than sending messages back and forth. then I could keep you updated with the results. It might be interesting and might lead to further discussions about who's way is better or not. Let me know what you think.

Steve I will make myself known. & My cat is called Mr Ted, his first name is Shi.

[72uoba]

Hi Steve,

No worries! The questionnaire sounds like a good idea. I'm sure that completing that kind of thing (i.e. purely considering desired features) will result in many choosing a tractor that they might be unlikely to choose in the real world. If you check out the tractor colours thread elsewhere here, you may get an idea of the emotions surrounding brand loyalty. Many people will stick with a brand through thick and thin. Also, many will be happy to keep dealing with a friendly, supportive local dealer regardless of the brand he/she sells.

So, bring on the questionnaire and we can find out what we all really want from a tractor
_________________
It's the end of the world as we know it...
...and I feel fine.
Work yourself towards a free Wii!

[steve24rdg]

Ok how's this
I know its a bit long. I went through some profi mags and the list of different things just kept growing and growing.
I hope you dont mind taking the time to fill it out.

If you just copy it and past it with your answers it might be easier.

Add next to each item your requirements or if you think its important

Please include your type of agriculture to the top I.e Arable, Veg, Dairy, Mixed etc.etc.
and area farmed

Most common opporations that you carry out
Average n° of tractor hours per year
Engine Hp what do you need
n° of cylinders what do you prefer
fuel consumption (what would you consider acceptable)
emission control (cat or AdBlue) are you bothered
exhaust position where do you prefer
Headland management (do you use it if you have it)
RPM memory do you use it
2wd/4wd could you do without 4wd
Transmission type powershift Auto shift or CVT what do you look for
forward reverse shuttle do you like it
clutchless shuttle do you prefer it or are you happy to use the clutch pedal
Slowest speed that you use
top speed you want 30, 40, 50k
Diff Lock (mechanical or via switch) what do you prefer or doesnt it matter
front diff lock, limited slip or none. Is it important for you, what do you prefer
Rear PTO engagement (mechanical or via switch) what do you prefer
rear PTO engage/stop on mudguards. do you use it is it important
PTO speeds that you require
Ground speed PTO does anyone use it
Front PTO do you need one and what speeds
Rear lift capacity what weight must it be able to lift
quick attach lift arms do you prefer it or do you prefer ball ends
Catagorie of lift arms that you require
lift lower on mudguards do you use it
type of top link you prefer hydraulic or screw
top link sensing is it used any more. do you prefer it or do you think lower link sensing is better
turning circle what would you say is acceptable for you
suspension does it make a difference to you and would you want it on front axle or cab or both
front linkage lift capacity what weight must it be able to lift
control of front linkage from outside of the cab do you need it?
Hydraulic pump open or closed centre do you have a preferance
load sensing do you notice it
number of control valves how many do you need and where do you need them
type of control valves that you need single, double acting, continuous flow, detent etc.
free flow return do you use it
towing capacity what weight do you need to tow
n° front weights that you want to have
wheel weights do you use them
manual track adjustment or PAVT what works for you
Maximum height your tractor must be
minimum ground clearance your tractor must have
maximum overall width your tractor must be
tyre sizes that you use
maximum allowable ground pressure for your operations
do you want a cab or would a ROPS be ok for you
FOPS maybe just for forestry or do you know different
Cab chemical filter do you use one if spraying
swivel seat does it help you
passenger seat does it get used alot
analogue dash or digital dash does it make a differance to you
what features should be on the dash for you
on bord computer do you use it
immobiliser do you want one
xenon worklights do they make a differance
position of work lights where do you want them
air con do you need it
climate control would you prefer it
front windscreen opening do you have it do you like it
ISO bus connection do you need it
limited slip draft & response control mechanical or electrical what do you prefer
hand throttle control (mechanical or electrical) what do you like
sunroof or window in roof. given the choice what would you prefer
Front loader do you need one
type of loader attachement what do you use
parralell raise and lowering does it make a difference to you



I think alot of this must just be "fancy stuff" that some manufacturers offer. maybe im wrong. But thats what im trying to understand.

If anyone can think of other things that they feel are important to them please add it at the bottom.

Hopefully I will be able to learn more about the needs of different areas of farming.

Steve

[72uoba]

Right, I'll take the plunge first!

Mixed 70 acres

Most common operations that you carry out:
various hay production, handling and grassland reseeding and maintenance.


Average n° of tractor hours per year
1000

Engine Hp what do you need
About 100 - not too much for me!

n° of cylinders what do you prefer
Lots of old buildings and low power requirement so 4 cylinder suits me fine. Might even go to three and get myself an old 135!

fuel consumption (what would you consider acceptable)
Not such a huge factor for me given irregular use and don't see that there's a huge difference.

emission control (cat or AdBlue) are you bothered
Not really botheres, probably AdBlue if I had to.

exhaust position where do you prefer
Side preferable but I can deal with in front too.

Headland management (do you use it if you have it)
Only limited on my tractor - i.e. just does auto diff-lock but I've used it!

RPM memory do you use it
Never heard of it.

2wd/4wd could you do without 4wd
No but primarily due to getting heavy snowfalls in the winter. Really struggled putting bales out for cattle with old 2wd.

Transmission type powershift Auto shift or CVT what do you look for
Powershift is fine for me.

forward reverse shuttle do you like it
Essential.

clutchless shuttle do you prefer it or are you happy to use the clutch pedal
Clutchless would be nice but not the end of the world without. Makes loader work much more pleasant though.

Minimum speed that you need
40k does me.

Maximum speed you wouldn't want to go slower than
Don't really understand the question.

Diff Lock (mechanical or via switch) what do you prefer or doesn't it matter
I've got used to a switch. Can't imagine pedal now!

front diff lock, limited slip or none. Is it important for you, what do you prefer
Limited slip but fine without (on my tractor anyway).

Rear PTO engagement (mechanical or via switch) what do you prefer
As for diff-lock, used to switch.

rear PTO engage/stop on mudguards. do you use it is it important
Stop, yes, very important. Would not like engage on mudguard, too many safety issues.

PTO speeds that you require
Usual 540, 1000 and eco versions

Ground speed PTO does anyone use it
If I borrow a neighbour's 135, use it for gentle hay-turning
Front PTO do you need one and what speeds
Don't need one myself.

Rear lift capacity what weight must it be able to lift
5t covers all my needs.

quick attach lift arms do you prefer it or do you prefer ball ends
Arms

Category of lift arms that you require
II

lift lower on mudguards do you use it
Very much so, and raise.

type of top link you prefer hydraulic or screw
Nevertried hydraulic.

top link sensing is it used any more. do you prefer it or do you think lower link sensing is better
Lower link fine.

turning circle what would you say is acceptable for you
Just over 10m at the moment.

suspension does it make a difference to you and would you want it on front axle or cab or both
Would love it in the cab.

front linkage lift capacity what weight must it be able to lift
N/A

control of front linkage from outside of the cab do you need it?
N/A

Hydraulic pump open or closed centre do you have a preference
Not really.

load sensing do you notice it
Not sure.

number of control valves how many do you need and where do you need them
3

type of control valves that you need single, double acting, continuous flow, detent etc.
All

free flow return do you use it
Have done.

towing capacity what weight do you need to tow
Don't know specifically.

n° front weights that you want to have

wheel weights do you use them
No

manual track adjustment or PAVT what works for you
Manual


Maximum height your tractor must be
2.8m

minimum ground clearance your tractor must have
N/A

maximum overall width your tractor must be
Not sure.

tyre sizes that you use
maximum allowable ground pressure for your operations

do you want a cab or would a ROPS be ok for you
For work in the Highlands of Scotland, a cab is essential.

FOPS maybe just for forestry or do you know different

Cab chemical filter do you use one if spraying

swivel seat does it help you

passenger seat does it get used alot
Yes.

analogue dash or digital dash does it make a difference to you
Digital or mixed.

what features should be on the dash for you

on board computer do you use it
Would do.

immobiliser do you want one
Yes.
xenon worklights do they make a difference
Don't know.

position of work lights where do you want them

air con do you need it
Yes.

climate control is that going too far
Not at all.

front windscreen opening do you have it do you like it

ISO bus connection do you need it
Certainly preferable, don't need it at moment.

limited slip draft & response control mechanical or electrical what do you prefer
Electronic.

hand throttle control (mechanical or electrical) what do you like
Mechanical.


sunroof or window in roof. given the choice what would you prefer
Maybe front opening sunroof for loader work.

Front loader do you need one
Yes.

type of loader attachment what do you use
Graip, bucket, pallet lifter, round bale grab

parallel raise and lowering does it make a difference to you
Very much so, simple and effective.
_________________
It's the end of the world as we know it...
...and I feel fine.
Work yourself towards a free Wii!

[steve24rdg]

Thanks 72uoba very interesting. A really good start
Anyone else??

[nonie]

135 massey ferguson is my faverite but thats because i spend all my time driving in and out dairy sheds, I only need small tractor with 3 point really for scraper.
this tractor will do 1500 hours
exhaust - anywhere it doesn't get into the craked windows
I'm happy enough with my clutch
Im not fussed about the speed
Turning circle has to be small working on old farms.

Sorry I'm not much use with this sort of thing I'm much better with me quads due to my work
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[72uoba]

[nonie]

they are cracking. I need a new one up her I've seen them got for silly prices ie £500-1200 at the machinery sales at our mart. old IMT 159 is also very good for these jobs, i love then for lambing there small enough to be used to do runs with trailers for mad gimmers
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[72uoba]