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Iowa | Hey all. Always read this site with a lot of interest, so I know that you guys will be able to answer some questions.
We are looking at purchasing a new tractor that will do double duty pulling both a Hardi Nav 1100 sprayer during the growing season and a grain cart (probably around 700 bushels) in the fall. Due to an increase in acres and change in chemical program, we need to cover more acres in a smaller time frame than before. Consequently, in order to spray more quickly and more efficiently, we are interested in both a CVT/IVT transmission and a suspended front axle. We have done some research and test driving of an AGCO RT series, and have just begun checking into Deeres. In the process, a lot of questions have come up, and I thought that I would see what input you all had.
First of all, the ground rules... It is necessary that the tractor be able to be spaced wide at 120 inches with singles on 14.9 tires. We have done this for many years on a White 8310 with singles and it works very well in our 15 inch row beans. This point is non negotiable. However, since we want to also use this tractor on a grain cart, we want to be able put on duals for the extra traction. A couple of guys around here with older Deeres simply take off the inside wheel, leaving the inner cast center to run between the row during spraying. Consequently they are running on just pressed steel wheels at 120 inches when in singles. We are unsure about the safety of this and would like to have a cast center on the outside also so we are on cast when in singles. However, with the design of the new flanged AGCO cast rims, it looks like we might not be able to get the inner rim off over the outer cast center without taking the whole outer cast off the axle. Anybody know of any workable solutions? Can JD with cast+cast do this easily?
Now, concerning the features of the tractors. Around here, no one seems to like the Triple Link Suspension on the 7000 series JD, while everyone raves about the ILS on the 8000 series. We have not had the chance to see the AGCO Hydramaxx suspension in person. Does the performace of the Hydramaxx more closely resemble the Deere TLS or the ILS?
Concerning tractor size on the AGCO's. The dealer claims that since going to the A series with the Sisu engine, all of the tractors he has sold have been turning about 15 to 20 horse more on the dyno than their rated PTO hp. Therefore a 140A would be cranking around 160 hp and a 155A would be around 180 hp. Can anyone else verify this or heard of this? Is the Sisu engine all its cracked up to be? Deere salesman says that his tractors dyno close to rated PTO hp.
Just like everyone else, Autosteer might be in our near future. I know that many JD's come ready to plug and play. What is the status on the AGCO tractors? Unfortunately the literature is not too helpful. I see something about getting ISOBUS with the GTA display console (which we don't really think we need if it just controls hydraulics). Is this option necessary to be "Autosteer Ready"?
For AGCO, there are some 2006 model tractors still around and also some with the 2007 updates. Does anyone know exactly what these 2007 updates are besides the new hood design?
I guess lastly, it seems that there have been some mixed reviews on this site of the JD IVT concerning its performance and fuel consumption. In fact, in our initial conversation with JD dealer, he was trying to steer us in the direction of the PowerQuad transmission. I know that maybe not as many people have experience with the AGCO brands, but I haven't really read anything negative on here yet about the PowerMaxx CVT. How does its fuel consumption compare to a powershift in tillage applications? Any further personal experience you guys can share with an either an IVT or CVT will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the help. Sorry for the long post. --Corey
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Lots of AGCO RT questions (vs. JD 7000 series)
