Bruce Tractors

Hi Bruce. Is that your biggest HP tractor that you chop corn with? Just wondering for your choice of tractors on the chopper and why you don't put one of the Kubotas on it for driver comfort? What about the 30 series Cases. What do they do to earn their keep? Not being nosey, just wondering. Bill

The newest Kubota is the highest hp tractor that I have, I forgot what it is rated at 120, or 130 hp . One time you read engine, the next it says pto hp, and pto is less than engine, both Kubota tractors have more hp. And yes a more comfortable cab too. Guess it is just a head problem for me, up until yesterday, I have always run the harvester, and I am perfectly happy riding the old 966. It runs strong, and has plenty of guts to chop corn or hay. And I have owned it out right free and clear for many years, has very little resale value, and don?t care how many hours go on it, as long as it works, the value stays the same.
Can?t say the same about the newer tractors, the more they run, the less their value. This being said, I never hesitate to use them if I need the 4wd, or loader capabilities, just too cheap to put my personal comfort over the perceived cost. Like I said, guess it is just a head problem of mine.
We either pull the forage wagons with the 930, or the 1030. Both fair heavy tractors, running in the neighbourhood of 100hp, forage wagons can?t push them around, and easy to get on and off.
I figure my cost for harvesting haylage and corn silage to be really only the cost of fuel, and maintenance/repair. Got to be around , 30-40 bucks per acre. Custom rates run $100.00 per acre, or $500.00 per hour. And I realize if I hire custom, I would have less capital cost, but I don?t have more than 20 grand tied up in all of this stuff, and the tractors can be used for many other jobs.
Short answer, cause I am cheap !!

For me a lot of the fun chopping corn for silage is the vintage aspect. The conditions start getting tough then grab the Kubota.

Do you think the Kubota has as much real pulling power as the 966 for heavy work? Seems like with modern tractors from all brands it takes a lot more rated hp to do the same work. I know the front assist helps a little for traction, I'm asking about engine power in this case. Those older tractors seemed to have bigger horses than the newer ones.

Bruce,just curious, did you ever try one of the Kubotas on the NH chopper? Neighbour had NH Super 717 single row and he used to have a IH 656D with the 6 cyl D-282 engine and then he replaced it with IH 684 with 4 cyl D-239 and around the same HP. He always said that the 6 cyl engine gave smoother power on the chopper. In our area we have significant hills in some fields.

JimB

Jon I have pulled the 5 bottom plough with the 966 and I have pulled it with the both the Kubota tractors. I do think that the newest Kubota M6 141 handles the plough the easiest. Plenty of power for the job. 4wb if you need it, and I have clay like you and sometimes it will make the difference between raising the plough, or going through. And the extra weight of the loader on the front does give the Kubota an unfair advantage over my 966 as well. Turned a lot of dirt with the 966, and I am not going to knock it?s power and capability. Good tractor, and 42 years old

Interesting. We used to have AC 185 and 6060. The engines were nearly identical except the 185 was 6 cyl naturally aspirated, and the 6060 was 4 cyl turbocharged and counterbalanced. Factory HP rating was about 10 higher for the 185. The 6060 had more power, and used less fuel. I don't recall it being any less smooth than the 185 on any job we did. While any 6 cyl is naturally balanced vs. a 4 cyl, I wonder if your example is a difference of counterbalancing, or perception?

No , never have. I have no doubt it would work just fine, just too stubborn to change, just for the sake of change. 966 works well, if it blows up, then it will be time to do something different.

I prefer to say you are not CHEAP but smart.. Buying two cab KUBOTAs prove that. More tractor for your hard earned dollar.