[AT] Compact tractors

Mon Nov 16 22:58:23 PST 2015

Warren, my memory lapses are upsetting.  I knew you were a construction 
contractor, but I sure forgot that when replying.  Remembering your work 
situation, I sure agree with your decision.
A 'trick' I learned when working for an uncle two summers.  I drove a M 
Farmall, cousin drove a W6 IHC (basically same except wheatland version), 
and uncle drove an older IHC 22-36 (much more power), all pulling 3-16 
plows..  I was getting behind on the hills because I had to step down a gear 
on two hills; so I resorted to shifting on the go. Third and fourth gears 
are offset, Murphy caught me and I locked the transmission into both gears. 
Confession time!  So uncle pulled me a half mile back to the shed where he 
removed the gear shift lever and used a large screw driver to unlock the 
stuck shift lever, and back to work.  Looking back, he could have corrected 
that out in the field, opinion is he just wanted to make sure I did not 
repeat that error.  Now, the trick he told me. Just move over approx  6" to 
the right and take a 6" lesser cut.  So what if the furrow becomes a little 
crooked.
So, if you find that two bottom plow and you have an area that is tough 
plowing, just move over to the right several inches, and laugh at Old 
Murphy.
Enjoy that new Kubota.
Herb(GA)

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mogrits
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 10:50 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Compact tractors

Hi Herb!

I visited the Kubota dealer today and actually drove the L3901. I think it
will do what I need. The salesman I talked to was an owner of the
dealership so I did not get a lot of sales talk from him. He asked me all
the right questions and knew his stuff. He educated me a good bit. One of
the things he asked me was why I walked in thinking I wanted that model
tractor. I told him I'd looked at the specs on line and thought the
horsepower rating was about right considering my Jubilee was slightly less
hp and considered a double bottom plow capable tractor. He was smart to
tell me compacts didn't work that way because they don't weigh enough to
get all their horsepower transferred to the ground. I'd never thought of
that. Then again, I never planned to pull a double bottom plow with it
anyways.

I want a new compact for this tractor because #1, I want at least one key
turner in my stable of tractors. If this makes sense- having an operable,
reliable tractor will give me more time to work on my older tractors. As it
is now, each tractor usage consists of 3 hours of expedient tractor repair
to perform one hours work with it. If I can reliably do my chores quickly I
can then have time to lovingly work on my old iron.

#2 reason is precisely because it is so light. Trailering it will not be a
huge hassle and this tractor will be used on my construction jobs to do
light sitework with the bucket and to dig some footings and occasional
trenches for conduits, etc. Truth be told a skidsteer would do this better
but they weigh so much I then get into a situation of buying a road vehicle
to tow one legally with all the additional insurance and CDLs that involves.

#3 Reason is related to #2, and that is that I will have employees
operating it sometimes. Now we all know employees are rougher on equipment
than we are ourselves, but they are far, far rougher on equipment they
perceive to be inferior or antiquated, and it is rare the employee that can
diagnose an ignition or fuel issue in the field and meanwhile, their
timeclock is ticking away.

So for this tractor, it has to be new or damn near new.

Warren

On Mon, Nov 16, 2015 at 12:14 PM, Herb Metz <metz-h.b at comcast.net> wrote:

> Warren,
> Don't get around much any more; so had to google Nortrac.
> There are some benefits to 'restored common tractors'; only problem being
> finding one, especially with front wheel assist.  Don't know what JD, IHC,
> and lessers offered;  AC only had a 6000 series where FWA was optional, so
> parts availability may become a concern there.  After AC demise in 1985,
> AGCO became eventual owner and they are not very interested in AC parts
> manufacture.  Suggest monitoring various forums if you decide to consider 
> a
> used tractor.  One of the problems 'used'  do not have is "too much
> blankety
> electronics"; that comes from a Kubota owner of several years who was not
> getting much sympathy or assistance from the local dealer when I was
> shopping for a gin pole. The guys tractor was out in the woods (where he
> could not get at it to retrieve it) and he was needing to know what all
> electronics he could check  to determine what was keeping it from even
> attempting to start. Unfortunately, this was not the first such 
> occurrence.
> On a side note, the Cumming, GA tractor show (Nov 13 & 14) had a restored
> 1958 Ford with F.W. Assist ; a local guy found it in Minnesota.  According
> to previous owner, Dodge Power Wagon had a contract with Ford; primary
> purpose was logging.  Today it has a soft future as a good looking trailer
> queen.
> Herb(GA)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mogrits
> Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 8:31 AM
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group
> Subject: [AT] Compact tractors
> I'm in the market for a compact tractor. I've narrowed it to a Kubota 
> L3901
> or a Nortrac 35XT.
> Both come with a font bucket and a rear backhoe. Does anyone know any
> firsthand information on the Nortrac or for that matter the Kubota?
> We have a local Kubota dealer but I've yet to learn who or where I'd get
> Nortrac service from.
> Thanks
> Warren
>
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