When buying a tractor, what other things are worth having? - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**LoneCowboy** · 11-18-2007, 05:10 PM

Ok, so you have decided on make, decided on horsepower, size and transmission.
Now, what things are worth having that you haven't thought about or are just "extras".
My opinion.

1. quick attach on the FEL. I cant' tell you how often I use this and having forks, I probably use them almost as much as the bucket. Without Q/A, forks are a PITA. Plus, if you are just mowing or not using FEL work, you slide the bucket off and tada, the tractor is now 2 feet shorter.

2. extensible link arms. I hook up and unhook way way way more than the average guy. (whatever is on the tractor is never what I need for the next job) and with extensible link arms it's much much much faster to hook up your 3 point. I never have gotten the point of the quick links. I wouldn't buy a tractor without these any more.

3. A good system for the stabilizer bars. The cheap models have chains and twist them back and forth and that's a total PITA, some have pins that you take out and then put back in and get the cotter pin in, and that's better, but the best models have a one piece pin that comes out and slides back in from up top and takes 2 seconds. NH has a pretty good system for this. JD subcompact models' system sucks.

4. An easy fill gas tank. Either in back or on the side where you can reach it from the ground and it has a big filler nozzle (high volume) that is higher than the tank (so you can easily fill it). Under the hood sucks, up and above the seat sucks. (you hold a 5 gallon can of diesel up there for the 5 minutes plus it takes to drain). It should also have a filter right up top so nothing big can blow in while you are filling it.

5. Easy to move/take off/not have to remove grill guard. Some make you unbolt them just to pop the hood? Why aren't they just far enough out so you can put the hood up without doing that? Or they have pins and cotter pins instead of just a movable latch. You'll be doing this a lot, it shouldn't be annoying.

6. Easy off/easy on FEL. Some go off in 10 minutes, some take hours. It's well worth have one easy on and off, you never know, you might not take it off, but it's worth thinking about. It's a much shorter/ more manuevable tractor without that FEL on the front end.

7. Easy grease joints. You have to grease tractors and FEL's a lot. A lot more than cars. Ones that make you crawl under and work sideways are a bigger pain than ones that just all face the same way and are easy to get to. There are a lot of grease fittings on a FEL, make sure you know where they are.

8. Get at least one remote. You may never use it, but if you need one and don't have one, you're up a creek. More remotes are better.

9. Load your tires or get wheel weights. Tractors work better with more weight, not less. A tractor trying to do FEL or ground engaging work without weight isn't nearly as useful as one that does have weight. (as an aside, why do all the newer tractors have plastic fenders? it's a tractor, I WANT the weight). Also helps a lot with stabilization on hills.

10. Enough gears. AT least 12x12, at least 4 ranges with hydrostat. 8x8 leaves you hunting, sure you'll find a gear, but it will either be too slow or too fast. Make sure you have lots of overlap when comparing gear charts. And you need lots of really low ones for ground work.

HTH

**Ducati996** · 11-18-2007, 06:30 PM

Great Post Brian - definitely something that will help those looking for a check when buying/shopping

Im sure others can add unique items depending on need -

thanks again

Duc

**JDFANATIC** · 11-19-2007, 08:20 AM

Ditto "Good Post". Two other things I would add are: Dealer and Ergonomics. The first may be the most important and you should consider if the dealer you are homing in on is the one you would want to go to bat for you on a warranty or out-of-warranty issue. The second because you will ostensibly be living with this tractor for some time. Will you be happy with your decision, or will you be wishing you had purchased another model?

Mickey · 11-19-2007, 02:22 PM

One could write a book on what one should be considering when about to be making a major purchase. Couldn't we all benefit from #4? Adequate gearing is a must but I wonder how many know beforehand what you'll be using the tractor for and what kind of gearing is needed for those chores?

Wonder if this thread could be expanded on and become a guide for those looking for a new/different machine. This could be especially helpful for those without experience or are somewhat mechanially challenged.

Good post.

**Ducati996** · 11-19-2007, 02:48 PM

I could see this thread converted into an article and posted in the new article gallery above. It can be a complied effort and useful for those buying machines, or seeking advice in which we can provide in a flash -

Thanks again guys - keep it coming

**gunmaker** · 11-19-2007, 11:00 PM

Brian, nice piece of work!

**Chris2520** · 11-20-2007, 12:00 AM

The way i bought my tractor and attachments. i priced out everything
i wanted , then i called about 30 dealers all over the country. and priced a package deal. when i found the lowest price of all , witch was in florida.
i took it to my dealer and had them match it. not only did thay match it.
but beat it by $200.00 So i wrote them a check , and the rest is history.
on top of that. thay gave all pins and locks for all attachments. 3 Imatch bushing sets. and a complete service pack to do the first service.
thay been pretty good so far. i have had no warrenty issues.

Chris...

Mickey · 11-20-2007, 02:43 PM

Way to go Chris. It do pay to shop.

wayne · 12-13-2007, 07:39 AM

It also pays to select a machine where they have a robust dealer and parts infrastructure in place. I'm re-working some of my 48 B, and it's nice to be able to call up and get parts for a 60 year old machine. I'm not just talking oil and plugs either, I'm talking gaskets, bushing and critical parts to make it run. When your tractor gets a few years old you will be happy they know you. It amazes me to just to think that I can give them part numbers and if they don't have it in stock, it will be waiting for me the next day in most cases!

Wayne

bindian · 10-24-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

1. quick attach on the FEL. I cant' tell you how often I use this and having forks, I probably use them almost as much as the bucket. Without Q/A, forks are a PITA. Plus, if you are just mowing or not using FEL work, you slide the bucket off and tada, the tractor is now 2 feet shorter.

HTH

LoneCowboy,
Make that skid steer quick attach. Some tractor maunufactures make a quick attach that only their attachments fit. Be very careful here to insist on skid steer so you can have a wide variety of used and new attachments to choose from.
hugs, Brandi