Our Favorite Tractors of the Year

By Geof Fowler

Although the final numbers aren’t in, 2011 is shaping up as a good year for the tractor industry. Leading the increased demand is the large farm tractor segment which after a year of postponed purchases attributed to the added cost of Interim Tier 4 engines (as much as a 9% increase to sticker prices) has bounced back. High horsepower, high flow hydraulics, GPS, field mapping and telemetry options, automated steering and 4WD all are in demand. It won’t be long before we see the trickledown of these new improvements to the Utility (UT), Compact Utility (CUT), Subcompact Utility (SCUT) and even Lawn and Garden (LGT) and Garden Tractor (GT) industry segments. We can hardly wait to see what 2012 will bring.

In 2011 we were treated to a taste of new designs as well as machines from manufacturers who understood they had a good thing going and didn’t tinker with the recipe. In that vein, we introduce you to our pick for the Top Ten Tractors of 2011.

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10 Gifts for your Favorite Tractor Owner

By Geof Fowler

The holiday season is here and it’s time to hit the stores to buy that special someone a memorable gift. If your special someone likes to tinker with tractors, why not give them something they can really use? Our list includes ten gift ideas for that special tinkerer in your life that won’t break the bank and if you chose one or more we’re confident your present won’t end up as next years regift.

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2011 John Deere 1026R

By Geof Fowler, Photos by John Deere

With its 2305 model a bestseller and a standout amongst a field of stellar competitors, John Deere raises the bar with the new 1026R and gets our designation as Tractor of the Year (TOTY).

Harlan and Ed couldn’t be more different. Harlan is a self-employed machinist who, along with his wife Rita, raises and boards horses. Ed is an actuary for a major insurance company who teaches at a local community college and, in his spare time, maintains an eight-acre mini-estate. Both sit on our guest judge panel and participated in this year’s Tractor of the Year selection.

Says Ed, who already owed a John Deere 2305: “The 2305 was the perfect tractor—almost. It did everything it was asked of, but there were always little things you wished Deere had included. The 1026R addresses that list and more.”

While Ed and his wife muck stables and put their sub compact tractor (SCUT) through the daily dirty task of maintaining their stables, Harlan maintains his mini-estate with a shiny orange Kubota BX23 that we’re not sure has seen a drop of rain. His views were less from the capability side, although that was important, and more to the ease of use. Says Harlan: “I just want to use the tractor when I need to and not bloody my knuckles in the process.”

But the two from their divergent viewpoints both agreed on ten reasons the all new John Deere 1026R is our 2011 TOTY.

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On the occasion of this year’s Agritechnica, the world largest indoor farm equipment show (held Nov. 15 – 19 in Germany), the John Deere tractor 7280R (max. power 310 hp with IPM) was selected as “Tractor of the Year 2012” by a jury of editors of 20 European farm equipment journals.

Chosen from a group of seven finalists, the 7280R represents state-of-the-art tractor technology. In addition to featuring fuel-efficient stage III B Diesel-only engines, the 7280R is also available with ActiveCommand Steering. The ActiveCommand Steering system automatically adapts the steering force for optimum control and manoeuvrability in the field and on the road. Other features include the CommandView II cab with CommandArm operator console, GreenStar 3 CommandCenter display and optionally available ActiveSeat.

Houston-based Mahindra USA has introduced the all-new 6010 HST Cab and 6110 Shuttle Cab to its 10-series of tractors. The 10 series tractors are a value line of compact economy machines designed for a multitude of uses. The new 10 series models are both four-wheel drive and became available at Mahindra dealerships nationwide on October 31.

“The new 6010 and 6110 tractors continue Mahindra’s tradition of providing our customers with the superior performance, power and value that they require and expect from the world’s #1 selling tractor,” says Cleo Franklin, vice president – marketing and strategic planning for Mahindra USA. “These new tractors are economical, easy to operate, and ideal for general purpose farming, agriculture/livestock operations, and grounds maintenance.”

Hypro has introduced two new products – the Poly Diaphragm Pump Series and 3” Poly Transfer Pump Series.

Hypro’s polypropylene diaphragm pump is built with polypropylene heads and manifolds for corrosion resistance and is designed for harsh chemical applications. The three-cylinder design eliminates the need for pulsation dampening devices, and lengthens the life of the entire pumping system. This poly diaphragm pump series has flow rates up to 11.0 gpm (41.6 lpm) and pressure to 290 psi (20 bar).

The poly diaphragm pump is built with external inlet and outlet manifolds compared to that of internal manifold design. According to Hypro, this allows for easy valve replacement and lower cost repairs. The oil sight glass is located in a protected spot, positioned at the top of the pump body, reducing the chance for breakage.

Deere & Company has entered into a new sales and marketing agreement with Honda Power Equipment to sell Honda premium power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States. Shipments of Honda inventory to John Deere dealerships will be phased in, beginning in 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, participating John Deere dealers will offer Honda’s walk-behind lawnmowers, generators, tillers, water pumps and snow blowers. In addition, Deere said, it will no longer market John Deere-branded walk-behind mowers or walk-behind snow blowers in the U.S., in any sales channel, after 2012.

“Honda power equipment has earned a strong reputation for durability, quality and reliability – all which are important attributes to John Deere customers,” says David Everitt, president of the Worldwide Agricultural and Turf Division at Deere. “For homeowners, our premium John Deere lawn tractors will continue to lead the way at our dealerships but will be complemented with the strong line of Honda power equipment products.”

Challenger has recently introduced the all-new MT500D Series High Horsepower wheeled row crop tractors to North American professional producers.

The Challenger MT500D Series tractors, made up of four entirely redesigned models ranging from 170 to 225 engine horsepower (140–180 PTO HP), feature new comfort features designed to help producers handle the most challenging jobs. Optional factory-installed auto-steering and telemetry technologies available on these new models offer what Challenger calls a never-before-seen level of control.

“These new tractors from Challenger boast some of the most innovative features as they relate to emissions compliance, versatility, work management and operator comfort,” says Mike Alvin, product marketing manager, high horsepower tractors. “When there’s work to be done, professional producers need a tractor they can count on to finish a multitude of jobs, and that’s what we’ve created with the MT500D Series. These are tractors with the power and technology to work long and hard, helping their operators meet the intense demands of farming today.”

John Deere has issues three separate recalls is September due to issues with a cooling fan, brake assembly and mower blade assembly.

The first recall involves John Deere lawn tractors powered by Kawasaki engines. According to the recall notice, the cooling fan installed on top of the front mounted Kawasaki engine in the lawn tractor can break. If the cooling fan is not operational, the engine can overheat causing the surrounding plastic to melt, creating the risk of fire and serious injury.

So far John Deere has reported 163 such failures, including 83 reports of engine melting or engine fires and one report of a minor burn injury following a fan failure fire.

The recall involves about 36,000 units, including John Deere X300, X300R and X304 Select Series lawn tractors with Kawasaki FS541V engines manufactured between Sept. 20, 2010 and July 21, 2011 within the following serial number ranges listed below. The model number is on both sides of the tractor hood, and the serial number can be found on the machine frame near the front right tire.

Kubota, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has recalled about 6,100 riding mowers due to a potential fire hazard.

According to the recall notice, the fuel hose clamp can detach from the fuel filter and allow gas to leak out, posing a fire hazard. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The Kubota riding mowers are bright orange, have 48-inch, 54-inch, or 60-inch wide mower decks and have “KUBOTA” stamped on either the sides of the front engine cover, or on the right side behind the driver’s seat. The serial number is located on the left front frame for T series models and the right front frame for GR and ZG series models. This recall involves Kubota Riding Mowers with the following model numbers and serial number ranges.