I've noticed the same trend over the last couple of decades, and it has become pretty much industry standard absent a couple of holdouts, e.g., MF.
Recently I shopped for a basic 55 - 65 PTO HP tractor for mowing duty. I shopped NH, Kubota and MF (JD is a non entity in my area due to the lack of a nearby dealership). I really wanted a Kubota due mostly to modern ergonomics and tight turning radius. NH was my second choice.
The PTO gearing of the models that I considered from both Kubota and NH required near rated engine RPM to attain 540 PTO RPM. Rated engine RPM of the NH models was generally around 2200-2300 RPM while that of the Kubotas around 2600-2700.
I do lots of mowing where I basically cruise along, only rarely requiring anything near rated PTO HP. The need to operate the engine at rated speed to maintain adequate blade tip speed is a MAJOR disadvantage to me due mostly to rapid accumulation of hours. Fuel consumption and noise are of lesser importance.
The MF model that I bought is rated at 2200 engine RPM but 540 PTO speed is at about 1750 engine RPM. This allows me to cruise along at relatively low engine RPM with lots of governor and foot throttle available for the rare tough spots. The fact that the MF priced out nearly $6000 less due mostly to very aggressive incentives when compared to comparably equipped models from both NH and Kubota was icing on the cake.
It appears that others are beginning to take notice of this issue as the new Powerstar line from NH offers optional, shiftable PTO gearing producing rated PTO RPM at either 2160 or 1592 RPM.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Women and Tractors - Tractor Engine Repair - by Teri Burkholder. One of the great things about working on a tractor engine with your other half is that you know what he is thinking of at all times and can anticipate his every move and his next thought of what he will do. With Ben, anyway, I can tell! He'll be busy working and I’m handing him tools and he says, "give me that..." and I’ve already got it in his hand or "hand me that....."and I’ve got the portable light right where he needed it placed to see. "Run in the house and get me a...."as I open th
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.