NorTrac Tractors

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

I have been looking for a good tractor, and noticed the Nortrac tractors in the Northern Tool catalog. Price is very attractive, you can get a 4wd 20 hp diesel tractor with a loader and a box blade for 9K, and I am considering a purchase. Anyone know anything about these things? I called Northern tools, they tell me that they build them here in the states and supply the parts themselves, none of my local dealers carry their parts which makes me a little hesitant. Anyone got one or know anyone that does?

My 2008 Kubota 2800 29hp 4wd tractor is the single best investment i've ever made ed. It's got a loader on front plus, ive got a box w ripper teeth, trencher, pto driven stump ginder, bush hog, boom pole, skidding tongs and did i say 4wd? Yes and i got all that for just over 20k! That's 5k under a diesel walk behind stumper that is limited to just stumps!

Oh i must mention that Kubota is THE ONLY MFR THAT MAKES THEIR TRACTOR AND ENGINES, AND THEY DO THAT IN GEORGIA! Looked at buyin a Cub Cadet and the body and frame is chinese with a mitsubishi diesel and caterpillar badges on the mitsu engine! What in the stuffing is that? Went to John Deere and they had chinese yanmar engines, and i wouldn't be caught anywhere on a yanmar driven deere! But, the reliability of a Kubota is unmeasurable and i've had nary a problem. It shows every day, does the work of many and never gets tired!

 

[avalancher]

The politics and hassliing on this board amazes me at times. I asked a simple question (okay, simple in my mind) and this subject has turned into a full blown out war on who knows best on operating a tractor, which brand will last until the next ice age, etc.

Well, thanks to everyone for their input! I have been tossing around the idea of a larger tractor than what i have(right now I have a large Husky garden tractor) that could do some lifting, heavy towing, etc and your responses have been an echo of what I truly believed deep down. I am not fond of buying cheap tools unless they are a one time use type of deal, but of coarse a tractor does not fall into that catagory.
I guess I was secretly hoping that the northern tools tractors might be a rebadge of a good tractor, and because of the volume that NT buys, might end up being a good deal.
I have been spending a little time scouting the local tractor dealers, but the deals are not to be had. I found a few tractors under the 10 grand level, but they were wore out trash. I dont want to spend 10K and then another 5K on repairs. I guess its time to scout out of our local area!

 

[gink595]

The politics and hassliing on this board amazes me at times. I asked a simple question (okay, simple in my mind) and this subject has turned into a full blown out war on who knows best on operating a tractor, which brand will last until the next ice age, etc.

Well, thanks to everyone for their input! I have been tossing around the idea of a larger tractor than what i have(right now I have a large Husky garden tractor) that could do some lifting, heavy towing, etc and your responses have been an echo of what I truly believed deep down. I am not fond of buying cheap tools unless they are a one time use type of deal, but of coarse a tractor does not fall into that catagory.
I guess I was secretly hoping that the northern tools tractors might be a rebadge of a good tractor, and because of the volume that NT buys, might end up being a good deal.
I have been spending a little time scouting the local tractor dealers, but the deals are not to be had. I found a few tractors under the 10 grand level, but they were wore out trash. I dont want to spend 10K and then another 5K on repairs. I guess its time to scout out of our local area!

I know that this has been discussed here already, but a older John Deere, International and may others can be had at a decent price, For 5K you can get a very nice restored tractor that is 50-60 HP have a real heavy 3pt setup and Hydralics. Parts are very avaliable and affordable, you just have to find sources, but once you get connected you are set. Be careful of what you buy make sure you look it over and have a chance to operate it. You never know it might end up being more than just a "Tractor" to ya maybe a fun hobby. These tractors forged our way back than, they are outdated by todays farm tractors but still make great utility tractors for Hobby farms. Thats my 10 cents, my 2 cents was free!!opcorn:

 

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

The politics and hassliing on this board amazes me at times. I asked a simple question (okay, simple in my mind) and this subject has turned into a full blown out war on who knows best on operating a tractor, which brand will last until the next ice age, etc.

Well, thanks to everyone for their input! I have been tossing around the idea of a larger tractor than what i have(right now I have a large Husky garden tractor) that could do some lifting, heavy towing, etc and your responses have been an echo of what I truly believed deep down. I am not fond of buying cheap tools unless they are a one time use type of deal, but of coarse a tractor does not fall into that catagory.
I guess I was secretly hoping that the northern tools tractors might be a rebadge of a good tractor, and because of the volume that NT buys, might end up being a good deal.
I have been spending a little time scouting the local tractor dealers, but the deals are not to be had. I found a few tractors under the 10 grand level, but they were wore out trash. I dont want to spend 10K and then another 5K on repairs. I guess its time to scout out of our local area!

Ed, get in touch with a good friend of mine, Chris Hinchey- Sales Coordinator at Tri-County Power Equipment, Jefferson City(865-475-6025). I've bought lots from him and was there yesterday and he's got at least 30 tractors that are nice pre owned units, some newer and some older! He's reliable, honest, and professional. Tell him i sent you. Also check out tractor house mag publication. It's free at the Newport farmers co-op!

 

[Marc]

chinese yanmar engines

Isn't Yanmar Japanese?

Anyway, shiet there's a lot of needless bickering going on here. This is almost as bad as some of the Ford v Chevy or Import v Domestic threads I've read on other sites.

So I've used fairly extensively both old US and new... well... newer Japanese tractors. My father owned (and still does) a Kubota... I think it's an L285? DT 4WD w/ a loader which we've used to plow, rototill, bush cut and haul wood for the better part of 20 years. It's had almost no problems... well there was the minor inconvenience of have the front wheel shatter, but apparently that was because this model was the first year they implemented 4WD, and they didn't stress relieve the wheel around the lug holes, so they were prone to that for only that year.

Other than that... solid tractor. Never touched anything else on it for 20 years. And yes, there are plenty of places that little tractor went in the woods that a big 2WD tractor would have had a prayer in. Not to mention the snow... w/o the hassle of dealing with chains.

Now the flip side... I currently own (with my father) a 1949 Farmall Super C, a 1952 Case SC, a 19 God knows what Massey Harris/unknown 4 cyl bastard child and a 1964 Massey Ferguson 85. I also used a 1950 Farmall C, a 1971 International... something (~35 hp) and a 1950 something Farmall Cub at my old job. Worked on all of them, anywhere from rewiring to some overhaul.

So... my take is, the old tractors are also extremely versatile and useful. You can't find a good sickle bar for the Kubota which is nearly indispensable on the Super C... can't beat the torque of the 85. The ground clearance is better and on the old Farmalls, with the wheels spread all the way, pretty tough to roll over (although where the draw bar is in relation to the rear axle, you want to watch that you don't go over backwards going up a hill).

The old tractors can be very reliable, but it really is dependent on the tractor and how they were maintained and if they were kept out of the weather.

I don't see the need for all the fighting... all tractors from all time periods have strengths and weaknesses... some more than others. Just gotta research and find what works best for whatever you need/want one for.

 

[gink595]

Ever consider a skid steer?? You can find them at a decent price and the capabilities are endless. IMO (my disclaimer for arguments sake) They will rock a utility tractors world and run circles around them

 

[Marc]

Ever consider a skid steer?? You can find them at a decent price and the capabilities are endless. IMO (my disclaimer for arguments sake) They will rock a utility tractors world and run circles around them

... can you get them with a 3 point hitch and PTO? Their ground clearance isn't so great either, is it?

 

[Marc]

I only mention it because I got a skid steer high pointed one time, and they're so heavy, I had a ****** of a time gettin' that mofawker pulled free.

 

[gink595]

... can you get them with a 3 point hitch and PTO? Their ground clearance isn't so great either, is it?

Yes they do with a hydralic driven PTO motor. I have a lot of hours runnig a skid steer and have never needed to get pulled out. You can use your bucket to push yourself out in most situations, not saying you can't get one stuck but I have yet to do it and have been in some deep muck with it. You also can get oversized tires that will give them lots of clearance.
http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/cons...skidsteer_attachments/skidsteer_3pthitch.html

If your getting a skid steer stuck you will defiantley have been stuck long before with a little Utility with the skinny front tires. I'm not sure of the weights of the utilities but my B-cat weigh around 6000#. the only thing I hate about the bobcat is it tears the sht out of yards.

 

[hornett224]

you still need the compact utility tractor.............

Ever consider a skid steer?? You can find them at a decent price and the capabilities are endless. IMO (my disclaimer for arguments sake) They will rock a utility tractors world and run circles around them

to regrade the yard when your done with the skidsteer.

skidsteers are for construction,not treework.

plus one on the PTO.

 

[gink595]

skidsteers are for construction,not treework./QUOTE]

Really... drive by some nurseries sometime and see if there are any skidsteers.
There are so many attachments for tree work for skid steers it isn't funny, lets see tree shears, grapple buckets, chippers, stump grinders, tree spades, tree grinders, tree hole diggers, planters, brush hogs and even a log splitter. And once again pto driven 3 pt. attachments. And you can rent any of these attachments. There is a reason Bobcat has a forrestry edition skidsteer. Whens the last time you seen a tree spade on the road construction crew? Don't get me wrong utility's have their place and have some advantages over a skid steer but I believe the skid steer is more bang for the buck.


have a looky, yep it's tree work:bang:

 

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

skidsteers are for construction,not treework./QUOTE]

Really... drive by some nurseries sometime and see if there are any skidsteers.
There are so many attachments for tree work for skid steers it isn't funny, lets see tree shears, grapple buckets, chippers, stump grinders, tree spades, tree grinders, tree hole diggers, planters, brush hogs and even a log splitter. And once again pto driven 3 pt. attachments. And you can rent any of these attachments. There is a reason Bobcat has a forrestry edition skidsteer. Whens the last time you seen a tree spade on the road construction crew? Don't get me wrong utility's have their place and have some advantages over a skid steer but I believe the skid steer is more bang for the buck.


have a looky, yep it's tree work:bang:

There's no doubt that a skid steer is an unstoppable ,versatile beast of burden, but you can do some pretty bad damage to turf if your not careful. They're great in the woods, i've pulled some mean mcguyvers on a bobcat in the woods or unimportant grass. I like my kubota tractor for the fine stuff, the r4 industrials glide across turf and get you outta mud too, and it weighs half of a skid steer. So they all have pros and cons ya know! Whatever works for you is good to go!:rockn:

 

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

Ever consider a skid steer?? You can find them at a decent price and the capabilities are endless. IMO (my disclaimer for arguments sake) They will rock a utility tractors world and run circles around them

Hmm, not gonna argue at all, but my kubota 4x4 packs a pto grinder out back and a loader up front. I regularly grind the stump and spin around and load the logs with the machine in the same sitting. If my memory serves me correct, a skid steer can only carry one tool at a time(and with having to change tools for another task). So do the math. Be safe out there man.opcorn:

 

[gink595]

Hmm, not gonna argue at all, but my kubota 4x4 packs a pto grinder out back and a loader up front. I regularly grind the stump and spin around and load the logs with the machine in the same sitting. If my memory serves me correct, a skid steer can only carry one tool at a time(and with having to change tools for another task). So do the math. Be safe out there man.opcorn:

Of course you are correct, that is frustrating at times, but lets have race changing applications. It only takes seconds to change one out, and I have the power attachment, I don't even have to leave my seat to change attachents, flip a button and disconnect until I have to connect or discon. hydralics then it's back to it sucks... Hahaha God I'm getting lazy. But I see what your saying but do the math whens the last time it took 15 secs to change a 3 pt. attachment. Like I said earlier utilities have their place for sure I'm not against them at all.

 

[gink595]

There's no doubt that a skid steer is an unstoppable ,versatile beast of burden, but you can do some pretty bad damage to turf if your not careful. They're great in the woods, i've pulled some mean mcguyvers on a bobcat in the woods or unimportant grass. I like my kubota tractor for the fine stuff, the r4 industrials glide across turf and get you outta mud too, and it weighs half of a skid steer. So they all have pros and cons ya know! Whatever works for you is good to go!:rockn:

Yes skids are horrible on grass I don't care how careful you are, the only thing I have found that helps is laying 4X8 sheets of plywood down first even at that they spit them out, I won't even try to suggest they might be good on turf you care about. They just plain suck for nice lawns. Bobcat has a skid steer out they show on a golf course doing finish mowing. Yeah right!!! It has a crab steering type deal that you can toogle between all wheel steer or skid. I would have to see to believe.

 

[CLEARVIEW TREE]

Bobcat begins to grind stump, kubota begins to grind stump. Kubota and bobcat finish around same time. Kubota immediately picks up log, loads it, and drives onto trailer to go home. Bobcat drives back out to truck and trailer and kills machine for safety's sake, gets off, unclasps quick attach loader(if he's got quick attach), gets back on machine, drives over to stump grinder, kills machine(in order to hook up hydraulic lines),gets off, hooks up attachment and lines, gets back on machine and starts the machine,drives back to the logs and begins to load,finishes loading logs, drives back out to truck and trailer, cinches machine down, and goes home. He passes other guys house that left with the tractor and guy is already home and talking to neighbor about his day. From my experience this is a pretty accurate analysis of how things go with a skid steer,however there are times that the weight of the machine and power of a skid steer can't be beat and the same can be said of many a tractor.opcorn:

 

[gink595]

I found one, a 3pt setup with PTO for a skid steer, Just in case I can sway anyone into thinking skidsteers are next to godliness!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-POINT-LIVE-PT...ryZ61567QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[gink595]

Bobcat begins to grind stump, kubota begins to grind stump. Kubota and bobcat finish around same time. Kubota immediately picks up log, loads it, and drives onto trailer to go home. Bobcat drives back out to truck and trailer and kills machine for safety's sake, gets off, unclasps quick attach loader(if he's got quick attach), gets back on machine, drives over to stump grinder, kills machine(in order to hook up hydraulic lines),gets off, hooks up attachment and lines, gets back on machine and starts the machine,drives back to the logs and begins to load,finishes loading logs, drives back out to truck and trailer, cinches machine down, and goes home. He passes other guys house that left with the tractor and guy is already home and talking to neighbor about his day. From my experience this is a pretty accurate analysis of how things go with a skid steer,however there are times that the weight of the machine and power of a skid steer can't be beat and the same can be said of many a tractor.opcorn:

Hahaha, Just want to say this is fun, no harrasing insults but fun.... See thats the problem your not bring the right equipment. I use a grapple bucket. So it goes like this:
1) load grapple and stump grinder on a trailer with grapple on machine. drive to site.
2) Throw gate down. Jump in and start (let warm up, very good practice) and then procede to grab stump grinder with grapple bucket take both attachments to the exact site.
3) Cut tree (assuming it was still standing) and buck into logs.
4) Grab all logs at once and take to load truck without ever leaving machine. Disconnect grapple and drive back to site.
5) Attach grinder. You know the drill.
5) Grind stump, bobcat beats Kubota. (I don't know)
6) Drive back to trailer and load the machine up.
7) close gate. here's the the real time saver.
8) throw 16d nails all over by Compact owners truck and haul as> home.
I haven't tried method 8 yet, but i can load a lot of stuff with a grapple bucket and never leave the cab. That to me is a time saver. Not to say you can't get a grapple for a utility but the manuverability isn't there. I loaded 11 cord of wood in a field with my truck and dump trailer in 4 hrs. and that was driving it to my house a feew mailes away. It took longer for the round trip than it did to load up. Good fun though and conversation friend!

 

[wkpoor]

I got to jump in on this one here. Yes skid steers are fantastic and maneuverable but they have limitation too. For most people a tractor is a better all around machine even though its slower. I can use the tractor all over my property without damaging turf or field everywhere I go. Especially when the ground is soft. Skid steers can't dig worth a hoot. Been there tried that. I can put my bucket in the dirt and push it full even in tough soils. The tractor can pull heavy loads out of the woods and down the road, steers have trouble pulling. I too can switch implements quickly from the seat and only get off to couple or uncouple hoses. Plus my lift capacity is almost double all but the larger steers. My grapple alone weighs half what a 773 can lift all together. Most farm tractors weigh quite a bit more than all but the biggest steers. My tractor is 7500lbs with out a bucket or implement. I can lift a 2500lb log easily and thats in addition to the 800lb. grapple. I think the tractor has more versatility overall and can use any attachment the steer can. Its just slower at some jobs.

 

[gink595]

I got to jump in on this one here. Yes skid steers are fantastic and maneuverable but they have limitation too. For most people a tractor is a better all around machine even though its slower. I can use the tractor all over my property without damaging turf or field everywhere I go. Especially when the ground is soft. Skid steers can't dig worth a hoot. Been there tried that. I can put my bucket in the dirt and push it full even in tough soils. The tractor can pull heavy loads out of the woods and down the road, steers have trouble pulling. I too can switch implements quickly from the seat and only get off to couple or uncouple hoses. Plus my lift capacity is almost double all but the larger steers. My grapple alone weighs half what a 773 can lift all together. Most farm tractors weigh quite a bit more than all but the biggest steers. My tractor is 7500lbs with out a bucket or implement. I can lift a 2500lb log easily and thats in addition to the 800lb. grapple. I think the tractor has more versatility overall and can use any attachment the steer can. Its just slower at some jobs.

Yes you have many good points, I have had many of oppurtunity to run both for extensive amounts of time. I've worked the farm and excavating thing.But obviously you don't have a 30-40 HP compact. Yes a big utility like yours takes over where the small skid steers lack- lifting capacity and pulling. There is nothing you wrote that I can argue or disagree with it's correct. My grapple weighs around 1000#'s. My total lift capacity is supposed to be 1750#'s on the 773, but will tell you for a fact it will lift more than that, just not very stable and unsafe. But you can put counter weights on it for more stability. I have a farmer friend that has a John Deere 210 LE, not sure on the HP but it is big, He actually went in with me to buy the grapple I have now. To help him because he can't get the work done like I can clearing and cleaning fence rows. We work together alot and I really do run circles around him. And he admits it he can't do as much as I can. But when it comes to moving big tree's I'd have to top them to move them where he can just pick them up and go. I have my respect for them, they have a place for sure. But compared to a Compact I just don't know...
Here's the 210 when I borrow it to mow my field. Bobcat won't do that for me!!