Is There a "Consumer Reports" for Tractors?
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- Had a question from Robert who is looking for somewhere on the Internet to get unbiased tractor ratings. Does such a thing exist? Something like "Consumer Reports" which doesn't accept sponsorships and can tell you about the best tractors? I don't think so, and I doubt there'll ever be and here's why.
First off, the volume is a lot less. There were around 13 3/4 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year and 270,000 new tractors. There's just not enough volume there to devote a huge effort to rate the different brands and models for a limited (albeit growing) market.
Secondly, it would need to be supported by donations and that's not realistic. Most small tractor buyers get one tractor and keep it forever, so it's not something that would be used enough to justify a non-sponsored ratings service.
Third, we use our tractors for a lot more than just driving up and down the road. You may use your tractor mostly for front end loader work, I use mine more to pull a Bush Hog. So, my needs will be different from yours in terms of tractor specs and performance.
Fourth, a lot of folks who buy tractors have brand preference and wouldn't need to know specs. Especially among farmers, they'll know as much, or more, about the tractor than the salesperson selling it to them and would likely ignore a "Consumer Reports"-type ratings service.
Finally, not all tractor companies have distribution everywhere, and without a dealer to back it up, the best tractor isn't worth much. Any ratings service would not be able to account for the dealer network that supported the tractor brand. What's strong in my area may be weak or non-existent where you live.
I don't think we'll ever see a "Consumer Reports for Tractors", but we do have more resources than ever for helping us make a good buying decisions. There are lots of UA-cam videos that compare the different makes and models. Sometimes, they're produced by people either selling, or being sponsored by, a brand, so they're not always unbiased.
There all also forums where people discuss the different tractor brands and models. Beware about putting too much stock in those, because sometimes those ratings are written by people with an axe to grind, or who hate every product they've ever owned.
Bottom line is, I don't think there are any "Consumer Report"-type tractor websites. Does anyone know something I don't? Please put in the comments down below.
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Love that 3:08 Message! Classic dry humor... :) Mike, YOU are The Tractor User Reports !! Get the feedback and you make it understandable, Thats KEY!
Personally, I think your channel comes pretty close! I've learned a lot! 😁👨🚒
I personally am not partial to any particular brand of tractor. I have a few "green" tractors simply because I have 2 dealerships within about 30 or 40 miles of me. On was purchased new while the other 2 were used machines.
I also have an old Ford tractor (1979 3600) that I use regularly as well as an old Bobcat skid loader that gets quite a bit of use.
Most of the time from my experience is that one particular brand doesn't necessarily do the job "better" than the other. If I had a dealership near me that sold "orange", "red" or any other color tractor I would probably purchase from them.
Good video!
On a tangentially related note, I've subscribed to CR for decades & noticed the thoroughness in most of their product reports has greatly declined. Since Project Farm here on UA-cam has been doing great tests and reports, I'm thinking of dropping CR.
Same here. And thankfully he is a mile a minute. He knows our time is valuable.
Project Farm is incredible.
You are very correct about service after the sale. You are also very correct about brand loyalty. Most of the main brands of tractors today are pretty good stuff. The biggest thing I see in the compact tractors today is the difference between the volume dealers and the local dealers that service what they sell.
I try to talk to recent owners, 0 to 3 years, of the model or close to that I think I am interested in getting. Topics of this discussion include dealer buying and service, how they use their unit, how they care for their unit, and what they like/dislike in using and equipment. All, this happens after a lot of online research as you suggest. In my experiance, your comments about the improtance of the local dealer is on the money.
I would agree with a comment made on another channel, and that is buying something that is sold by the manufacturer vs rebranded names. You see so many rebranded names dropped or no longer in business. Remember “Branson”. I would purchase from a manufacturer that sells their own equipment. You will probably get more support for it over time than a rebranded model.
There used to be the Nebraska Test, but I don't know if they still do them.
I work in the appliance industry, and my opinion of consumer reports has never been the same since I started there. They ranked 4 refrigerators in cost, quality, features and systems. Meticulously they delved int these and other aspects of the machines. Their ranking was interesting because all 4 were the same model from a basic unit, but differed in only color, shelves installed, handles on the door, and a nameplate. All came off the same line, built by the same people with except for the above identified parts. The compressors, electronic control boards, evaporators, condensers, and defrost heaters were identical, and sourced from the same suppliers. So either they did not look or they were too ignorant to understand what they were looking at. I have not believed anything from consumer reports since.
HVAC is very similar. Copeland is the dominant compressor with Trane making their own and LG in the lower end condensers. People always argue what badge is better on the metal when the most important part is the installer.
Mike you are right. No consumer reports for tractors as far as I know. But we do have tractor Mike keeping us up to date on tractor stuff. Can’t beat Tractor Mike. Appreciate all your videos Mike. LinemanG
Another good video, Mike. I especially agree with the brand loyalty. Kinda like pickup trucks.
Spot on with your comment about the importance of the dealer. I have first hand experience with my preferred make of tractor having a really crummy dealer. I opted for another brand because the dealer was awesome and provides great service. Whatever color tractor you end up with to me the dealer behind it matters most.
Loved the example of the guy who thought everything he bought was a lemon.
I know a lot of folks swear by CR, but all I'd ever use it for is to start a fire. Not a fan obviously.
When I was buying I asked farmers in the area & I monitored Tractor House. Also that’s when I subscribed to ask Tractor Mike.
Mike- How about the Nebraska Tractor Tests? Do they test compact tractors?
Hey Mike. I always enjoy your videos. I am glad that you put the pause in there to refocus when the doggy took care of business because I was definitely distracted! 🐶
They need a lemon law for tractor.
Amen Mike well said I agree Your Dealer makes the tractor 🚜 👍
Mike I agree that the dealer is very important. My Kubota dealer is a 3 generation family operation that started before there were Kubota tractors. Very comfortable low pressure and professional sales staff or set and chat with the owner. My experience with the local John Deere dealer was the salesman knew I was waiting to see him so he walks out the back door to go to lunch. I really wanted a Kubota anyway so he sealed the deal! Consumer Reports is something I have no faith in. I’ve read their reviews on items I’m familiar with and totally disagree with their criteria and conclusions.
I think that the thing you should look for first is to make sure that the tractor you purchase fits YOU. The controls are intuitive for you to use, you can reach them comfortably, etc. I agree that the dealer is important, BUT you need to be able to operate the tractor safely and easily every single time that you use it. Hopefully, you won't be seeing the dealer very often.
Would you choose operating a tractor that doesn't fit for you ever single time that you use it, because you like the salesman/dealer that sold it to you? For me, I would rather be happy running my tractor every time I use it, and not look forward to a trip to the dealer once a year, than the other way around.
I may be in the minority on this, and it would be great to have both a tractor and dealer that made me happy, but if I had to choose, I want to spend more time happy.
Good explanation of the way things are for tractors. You appear to be the only source of info without hidden biases/agendas that provides more than bare-bones "spec"-type of info and I appreciate your videos for that. I do disagree with you, though, about consumer Reports: I subscribed to them for many years but dropped them some time ago - like many, many other things in our current society, the quality/usefulness of what they provide has dropped precipitously over the years.
(edited for spelling and clarity only)
Hi Mike , Appreciate and have been Subscribed since the beginning. Your frank, honest and clean (no spin/hidden agenda stuff) posts are appreciated. I 'generally' agree with your endorsement of Consumer Reports, and I Want to be respectful of not hijacking this comment section (hopefully, you will still get the YT Interactions points :) ) HOWEVER, RE CR 😖😖
unless I missed something , I have been a CR member for over 25 years, and we PRINT (only) Folks
are getting short sheeted, compared to the Digital folks.
LOTS and LOTS of Content missing, and inaccessible, and yet, what could it cost CR to fix that!.
Thanks for your Content Creation, always.
Agreed. The thoroughness of the printed CR's reports has been declining steadily for years.
All top end tractors are comparable and tested to last. I worked at Kubota and that company makes extremely sound products. New customers who are not familiar with tractors can let sizes determine there purchase. Conversations with current owners and they can help them buy the right machine.
LOL Dog stole the show, he gave his opinion on consumer reports.
Great video !!!
You trust Consumer Reports but don't trust the forums or UA-cam. Consumer Reports has individuals with their own bias as well. They choose which models/brands to test, and their test criteria.
Eventually, you have to process the data and make your own choice. Like cars, there is a reason why some tractor brands have a good reputation and resale value and some do not.
Can’t afford green paint? When I purchased mine, the green paint cost less than the orange paint and the dealer was 20 miles closer. Nothing but routine maintenance ever since. No regrets. Good luck in your search.
I am NOT a Consumer Reports believer.
My New Holland Workmaster 50 utility tractor fits my needs . Heavy built and simple. I have no color preference but it had better be a brand that is here for the long haul. You don’t want to be trying to find parts or support for a tractor brand that is out of business. ie- Montana, Long , Branson,
there only one vehicle FORD only one tractor MASSEY FERGUSON
In my opinion and, that's exactly what it is...MY opinion, Consumer Reports is a joke! Sure, they don't take advertisements and rely on "donations" but, where do those "donations" come from? There's no way that consumers donate enough to support that magazine. In short, thank God that there's no Consumer Reports for tractors!
Disagree about consumer reports. For example, they savage the speed queen washers/dryers. They do it because of the amount of water the washing machine uses and how much energy the dryer uses. I don't know about you, but I care more about my clothes being clean than water/energy usage. After finding that out I have stopped using them.
Excellent~ I got a energy efficient washer and sometimes my clothes does not get wet during the wash cycle especially micro fiber sheets because the computer weighs the load and sends in the water according to weight. Will never have another energy efficient anything
U tube
Interesting
KIOTI FTW
Yes, people need to be very careful to steer clear of reviews from people who are sponsored by a brand. TYR is the worst of 'em.
Yea there is, it’s called the Tractor Mike UA-cam channel. LOL