[AT] Compact tractors

Wed Nov 18 12:38:30 PST 2015

Thanks to several of y'alls responses I checked out the Mahindras online
and figured out the comparable model and called our Mahindra dealer about
40 minutes away.

I called asking about a 1500 series tractor but after we talked a while he
had me moved a class up to a 2500 series for the same price as the Kubota
and only a little more than the New Holland. I'm going up there friday to
see for myself but it is sounding like I may have a Mahindra 2538 HST in my
future.

What sold me mostly was the added weight and one particular video online of
similar rated tractors lined up trying to lift a pallet of sakrete. The New
Holland and Kubotas tires came off the ground while the Mahindra lifted it
and drove away. That seems backed up by what a lot of y'all said about the
Mahindras seemed to be a little more old styled and of heavier castings.

Warren

On Tue, Nov 17, 2015 at 11:51 PM, Scott Williams <swillia5 at rochester.rr.com>
wrote:

> For that kind of usage, and with the employees using it as well, one of the
> advantages of the newer machines is the almost "automatic" shifting and
> forward/reversing offered on a lot of machines.  I noticed as soon as I got
> my '72 Massey Ferguson 135 that if it had a loader, it would be a lot of
> work to do the back and forth shifting to move things around (I don't have
> a
> loader.)  As it is, I am loving it for what I need clearing brush, but if
> it
> was for professional work (where time is money) I could see the major
> difference in time that a shuttle shift would for many operations.  Even
> with the clearing brush, the shifting and changing hi/lo takes a lot more
> time.  For running a mower around a field, manual trans is great, but for a
> lot of other site work, it is a lot slower.
>
> The clunky shifting and taking your time with the work is part of the fun
> of
> old iron, but not the most efficient way to get certain jobs done.
>
> Scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mogrits
> Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 10:51 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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