Farm Equipment - New Tractors

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New Tractors

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=43427
Printed Date: 07 Sep 2025 at 4:59am
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Topic: New Tractors

Posted By: BrianC
Subject: New Tractors
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 6:32pm

I took a test drive on a new Kubota L3800.
The diesel noise and hydrostatic transmission whine
turned me off. Does anyone make quiet tractors?
I was looking for a smaller tractor to mow 7 acres, using
a finish mower or flail mower.

A 1950's Ford 8n is looking good to me right now.

Replies:

Posted By: NickT(Ky)
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 6:47pm

The smaller diesel engines seem to be 'clangier" (is that a word) and noisier than bigger engines.

Posted By: m16ty
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2012 at 10:24pm

Quiet is a relative term. Haven't noticed the Kubotas being any louder than any of the rest. I try and wear ear plugs on any open station tractor if I'll going to be on it long.

Posted By: mtanut
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 4:05am

Did you test drive a gear drive tractor? I like my old tractors, but new Kubota with power steering and live pto be a heck of a lot better to mow with than an 8n, just my 2cents worth.

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I have a 185 Allis, 6060 Allis, Model K gleaner, SMTA ferg 35, ferg 20 (paps first tractor, Allis B (wife's)John Deere 240 skid loader and a bunch of the usual farm stuff.

Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 7:23am

If the primary purpose of this tractor is mowing then you would be wise to stick with a hydro. If it will be used mostly for heavy pulling applications then you need the gears. I wear hearing protection myself as most non-cab tractors will damage hearing over time, but that's just me. I'll bet at rated PTO RPM the engine will have the hydro drowned out.

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1957 WD45 dad's first AC

1968 one-seventy

1956 F40 Ferguson

Posted By: BrianC
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 2:04pm

The power steering will be nice advancement in this application (over a mellow oldie like 8N) That steering wheel and me gets a workout currently. At rpms for 540 PTO speed, the diesel engine noise did drown out the hydro-stat noise. I am considering a gear transmission for cost and reliability. Currently using bigger tractor with rough cut mower, I don't spend that much time shifting into reverse. A smaller tractor should be even less so.

I haven't owned a hydro machine except for lawn tractors. I know the fuel economy will be worse, and the extra noise.

A flail mower is 2-3x the cost of a finish cut mower. What do you people think of flail mowers vs finish mowers? I haven't owned one, neighbor sure likes his. He can mow fast and it is fairly compact and quiet. He leaves it on as ballast for the loader. How do they survive a hit, like eating a concrete block?

Posted By: farmtoybuilder
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 4:52pm

Diesel and Hydro is only thing to have for mowing. As for noise I didn't think it Kubota or our JD is that bad! I don't think there louder than an old ford running at PTO speed! You'll get use to it. As hyrdo takes some getting use too if you never owned- operated one. We've had hydrostatic transmissions in all our small 4wd tractors (under 50hp.) we use for mowing and loader work for years. Yes a little nosier but well worth it! Our next one will have a cab and air though! As we're not as tuff as we use to be.

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5 different TT-10's,5 TT-18's Terra Tigers,B-10,2 B-207's,B-110,2 B-112's,HB-112,B-210,B-212,HB212,2 Scamp's & Homilite T-10. Still hunting NICE HB-112 & anything Terra Tiger & Trailers for them.

Posted By: Ky.Allis
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2012 at 5:27pm

Another huge advantage of newer tractors is safety!! Newer tractors have safety switches built into the seat,clutch pedal,PTO and ECT. Sometimes they can be a nuisance, but they are there for your protection. BUT the most important safety feature on newer models is the ROPS. Yes you can put a ROPS on an old tractor,but it will cost you half of what the tractor is worth. Just my opinion

Posted By: wekracer
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2012 at 11:51am

If you're buying it for mowing, i would look at a zero turn. you can get a good commercial 60" for $6-8000 and spend half the time mowing. Then go buy a good D17 IV.