What is ‘ROPS’ on a Tractor?

Modern tractors are very robust and safe vehicles if they are used within the manufacturer’s stated performance envelopes.

However, in certain situations they can, by definition, also be dangerous and tractors rolling over was once one of the commonest forms of serious and fatal agricultural injury.

As you can imagine, even with some of the smaller models, you wouldn’t want to be underneath a tractor if you somehow managed to accidentally turn it over.

That is why, by law, all tractors above a certain weight, including Kubota tractors, must have some sort of ‘ROPS’ fitted. That actually stands for ‘Roll Over Protection System’ and it acts to ensure that there is something in place to stop the tractor rolling over directly on top of the driver in an accident situation. 

Interestingly enough, the system has its origins in Sweden during the 1950s and it became a legal requirement, under specified circumstances, in Australia during 1981/82.

It’s an incredible fact and a tribute to ROPS that since its introduction, there has been a 72 per cent decline in roll-over accident fatalities within the farming industry. 

Be Careful about Private Cash Purchases

We make no apologies for pretty consistently recommending that you should only buy used farm equipment from a quality and professional source. It’s also important to generally select good-quality equipment.

Having said that, we recognise that people will make their own decisions and it isn’t our intention to try and frighten anybody off going for a private purchase bargain if they think they’ve seen one. Even so, we do need to remind people to keep a few things in mind when paying by cash for a private purchase of farm equipment.

Remember that one of the biggest advantages of paying by cheque, bank transfer or card, is that you have an audit trail of how much you paid should you ever need to use it.

Now we’ve said before that when purchasing from a private individual, you probably don’t have too many consumer protection rights but what protection you do have may be even further watered down in situations where you can’t prove how much you paid for the item concerned or to whom you paid the money. 

Understanding your Warranty

One of the things that occasionally causes some confusion with agricultural equipment is that of the warranty.

Okay, probably none of us really enjoys sitting down and reading through the details of such documents but it’s important to do so because it might make a big difference in terms of how deep into your pockets you have to dig if something goes wrong.

Here, we’re not speaking exclusively about the warranties available on Kubota tractors. This is a quick ‘general terms’ overview of the principles that will usually apply to many different types of farmers’ equipment. 

The first thing to note is that your warranty typically exists in order to protect you against the costs arising for repair should your piece of equipment breakdown for what might be termed quality control reasons. There will be a long list of things that really shouldn’t go wrong in the initial period of ownership and therefore, as a sign of confidence in their quality, the manufacturer will often agree to pay for any repairs there should problems arise. 

Would you like to Own and Use a Steam-Powered Tractor?

Here at White’s tractors, we like to occasionally take a break from the serious stuff of agriculture and farming. It’s good to sometimes think about the lighter things in life.
 
For example, today it’s common to think of tractors as powerful high-tech devices that are invaluable in our day-to-day work. Did you know though that had you been at the cutting-edge of agriculture in the 19th century, you may well have been using a tractor that was steam-powered?



Now the origin of tractors is one of those things that historians will dispute for hours over a drink or two and also get very hot under the collar about it. For example, in the United States they will regularly claim to have more or less invented the steam tractor in the 1870s but that unfortunately overlooks certain of its precursors.

So, while some American authors will claim that steam tractors made their first appearance in the world in USA around 1870/80, that really ignores the fact that steam powered vehicles were rolling around the countryside in the UK, for example, from around 1850.

Farm Machinery Servicing

It’s a very strange thing.

Some people will service and maintain their cars in immaculate condition and yet at the same time treat their agricultural machinery with indifference and sometimes even contempt.

We are not quite sure why that is but it’s presumably linked to the fact that farm machinery looks heavy duty and manufactured to last, so, they assume it will do so with minimum intervention.

In fact, farm machinery servicing is at least as important as car servicing if not more so.  That’s because your agricultural equipment is probably directly linked to your income whereas your car may well not be.

Farm machinery servicing is important because Australia’s farming environment is particularly unforgiving where equipment is concerned.  It does n’t take long for corrosion to start to get a grip or relatively minor alignment problems to make the transition to a state where they’re in danger of shaking the item apart.

Tractor Sales – Australia and Public Auctions

We are sometimes asked to comment on the feasibility of attending plant equipment auctions.

To be clear, at White’s Tractors we are specialists in farm equipment not the ins and outs of buying at auction! There are though a few things which we think you should keep in mind before starting to go down this path for the sourcing of your equipment.

Some auctions are specialist and reserved for trade professionals only.

Keep in mind also that all public auctions usually operate strictly under the principle of ‘caveat emptor’.  That’s fancy Latin for “let the buyer beware”. In other words, you may not have much, if any, comeback should things go badly wrong with your purchase. You’d have to prove that the auction description was materially inaccurate and that is not an easy thing to do.

For the unwary and the inexperienced, there are dangers in auction-type tractor sales Australia isn’t much different to anywhere else in there being an entire science behind assessing the real value of something being offered for sale, playing the room, making sure you yourself are not being played and then bidding.

What should your reaction be when you see a Kubota tractor for sale?

It shouldn’t be exactly news to you that at White’s Tractors we are proud advocates for and sellers of Kubota motors and tractors.

There are many reasons why we offer this range, including the quality and cost-effectiveness of their products.

If you purchase something from us, you can be sure that whether it is new or second-hand, it will have undergone extensive pre-sale checking by us and will come with a range of our post-sales guarantees.

However, you can’t always be sure that will be the case with everybody advertising a Kubota tractor for sale.

Space doesn’t really permit us to give you an in-depth list of the technical things to look for if you are responding to that Kubota tractor for sale advertisement through a third party.  All we can do is to highlight a few key concepts:

Mowers – Goulburn residents’ FAQs

Here is a quick summary of just some of the frequently asked questions we encounter at White’s Tractors on the subject of mowers.

Should I use an ordinary or zero turn mower?

To be honest, we can’t really answer that one for you without knowing more about your requirements.

There are pros and cons to both.  For example, if all other things are roughly equal, a zero turn mower is likely to be a little more expensive than a comparable standard mower.  On the other hand, it’s likely to be faster and more manoeuvrable.

Let’s talk this one over with you.

What You Should Know about Investing in a Kubota Tractor

Buying a tractor is a major investment, both in terms of time and money.  With the price of a new tractor in Australia starting at more than $30,000, it is essential that you know exactly what you want.

One of the leading manufacturers of tractors and engines and suppliers to Australia, Kubota has been around since 1890 and has established a good reputation for quality and excellent service. Founded and based in Japan, the company has branch offices and dealerships in more than 130 countries worldwide. It is a well respected company and, like all Japanese companies, has a first-class reputation for reliability and long term commitment to all customers.

Kubota has tractors in the BX, B, L and M series. Each series differs in price, body type and horsepower. This means that they are suitable for many and varied jobs – garden maintenance, commercial land maintenance and farming.

The B-series tractors range from the smaller B2320HD, the B26B, and the B2920HD to theB3300SUHD. All B-Series models feature the indirect injected 3- or 4-cylinder E-TVCS diesel engine which are smooth running, high-torque and have increased power. This series ranges from 17 to 25 PTO horsepower. Plus, all the B-Series tractors feature a flat deck, which is longer and wider than the previous models.

The BX series, however, combines the strength and versatility of a compact utility tractor with the agile handling of 4WD and the lighter, easier feel of a garden tractor. It also has a redesigned easy open hood and wrap-around front-end which give it a sleek, modern look and better illuminates the operator’s view by encasing the headlights. It also has a full flat open deck which provides much-needed ample legroom and a rubber-mounted engine to reduce vibration and noise.

On the other hand, the L series, from  the premium Grand L60’s to the Standard L’s, is the ultimate all-rounder, ideal for everything from Australian estate maintenance to commercial landscaping and small farming. They have unmatched reliability and performance. From 62hp - 95hp and with a 3-year/3000-hour warranty it gives you the total peace of mind you need from such a piece of machinery.

The higher horsepower M-Series tractors feature greater power, torque and an electronic common rail fuel system for more power, less noise and reduced emissions. At the same time, the sleek new design elements add aesthetics and functionality. The new rounded hood and grill design improves the operator’s range of vision while the quieter cab keeps interior sound levels down. The exhaust pipe exits the hood at the bottom to increase visibility of the front right wheel and is also tethered to the cab post to limit vibrations and increase durability.

Other standard design elements include wide-front tread which makes straddling wide windrows in baler applications easier. Also, float links have been added to the three-point hitch, providing lateral floatation for the use of wide implements.

Combine these features with the standard radial tires on each M-Series model, and you have excellent traction and a quiet ride.

What Types of Farm Equipment Will You Need?

If you have decided that you want to become a farmer, then you are only to be congratulated for it. Farming is indeed a very rewarding activity, but first you will have to make sure that you have everything you need in order to get things going. Outside of land, buildings, livestock and crops, you will also need several pieces of farm equipment. Which are the types of equipment you will need though? Read on and find out more.

1. Tractors 

You can hardly make a do without at least one tractor when it comes to farming. Even if you want to focus in livestock only, you should always make sure that you understand the fact that you will have to feed your animals from your own production if you actually want to make profit.

Most of the times, tractors are used to pull other pieces of farming equipment, but they can be used on other purposes as well (front loaders, for example, will push the manure into the manure spreader). Other than their purpose, there are also other classification methods as well. For example, some of the tractors are two-wheelers, others are two-wheelers with assist and others are four-wheelers.

2. Ploughing Equipment 

When you will decide to plant crops, you will absolutely need ploughing equipment because this is the tool that makes sure that the earth is ready for seeding. You will find chisel ploughs, mouldboard ploughs and disc ploughs on the list of farming equipment for sale.

3. Harrows

In most of the cases, you will need to use a harrow after ploughing because this will break up the soil clods so that the seeds have plenty of space in which they can grow. When it comes to the types of harrows, you will find disc harrows, chain harrows, roller harrows and spring harrows as well.

4. Combines 

When the time comes, you will want to enjoy the fruits of your labour. This is where combines come into the picture as the pieces of equipment that help farmers collect their products from the ground. This piece of equipment is very useful, but it can also be very expensive too, so if you do want to invest in one, make sure to think things through before you make any move.

5. Seeders

Before you even think of collecting the fruits of your labour you should also think of how to get the seeds into the ground. Efficient farmers use seeding pieces of equipment because they ensure that the chances of having more crops out of one’s seeds are high enough.

Of course, there are many other pieces of farm equipment for sale out there, but these are the most important ones. Do remember to do your math and to calculate exactly what everything costs and where will that lead you with your estimated budget.

What You Should Definitely Know about Farm Machinery Servicing

Farming is an activity that requires a lot of dedication and care from your behalf. However, you will not be able to actually make much of it if you do not build good relationships with service providers that you will need along the way. For instance, you should make sure to choose a farm machinery servicing provider that is always trustworthy and which will always be there to help you when needed. And if you want to learn more about these services, do read on:

1. It does not really matter whether your farm is small or large. You will still need a helpful hand from time to time and it is good to know that the helpful hand comes from someone who actually knows what they are doing.

2. Your farm machinery servicing provider should be well-versed in working with different types of machinery and with different brand as well. Experience does have a say in this so try to go with someone who has been in the business for a longer period of time, rather than with someone who does not have much experience in this field.

3. Machinery servicing can involve many things and although some of the less experienced farmers are not familiar with all the services that fall under this category, it will be beneficial for you to know exactly what such a company can help you with:

• They can help you with the repairing of certain pieces of equipment you may own. Also, they can replace parts and even if you may be familiar with this as well, it will be best if you left it into the hands of a professional.

• Such a company will also be able to help you with the maintenance of your farm equipment. As you may well know it, this is one of the most important things to do when you want to ensure that your investment will be there for a long period of time.

• Also, they will be able to help you with upgrading and making changes to your farm equipment too. If you want to invest in newer and better pieces of equipment but if you are not very certain on what you should choose, a servicing professional can help you with a tip of advice.

• The same way as they can help you with the upgrade of your farm, they can also help you start a farm from scratch (at least when it comes to the equipment part). Even if you are not experienced (and maybe even more then), you will still be able to benefit out of a professional’s advice.

4. Servicing companies will most likely be able to offer you with the chance to buy equipment from them too, so it is usually more beneficial for you to work with a single company that deals with everything farm equipment-related than to work with more companies that deal with separate sub-fields of farm equipment servicing.

What to Do with Your Tractor When It is Cold Outside

Weather influences us all, but what not many people know is the fact that even the largest pieces of man-made equipment can sometimes stop functioning due to the cold outside. For instance, if you are a farmer, you may want to know the fact that even the highest quality tractors can fail to start themselves up when the weather is cold. What to do in such cases? Read on and find out.

1. You should try to prevent such things from happening by preparing your tractor for the cold weather of the autumn and winter days. For starters, use lightweight oil because this will help the engine start with more ease. Also, buy yourself a heated deep stick because it can help you “defrost” the oil in your tractor’s engine heats at approximately the same temperature as that which it stays at when the engine is functioning.

2. Do not forget about the fact that you should try as much as possible to keep your tractor as far away from cold as possible. If you have a garage, even if it is not properly heated, your machine will stay safe and “cosy”.

3. If the cold has caught you unprepared, then there are still several things you can try to do in order to get your Kubota tractor for sale going:


• You can try to pump the throttle

• If the tractor comes with a primer, you can try to prime it once more than the required number of times.

• Check if there are any PTOs running and always make sure that the machine is neutral.

• If the tractor you have is a pull-operated one, then you should know that expecting it to work from the very beginning is quite unrealistic and that can try to start it several times before it become regularly active.

• For machines that come with an electric cord, you can pull the cord several times. This will help you avoid putting pressure on the car engine.

Generally speaking, it is much better to prevent than to treat, but hopefully these tips have been useful. Do remember the fact that there are a lot of Kubota tractors for sale out there and that if you decide to invest in such a piece of equipment, you will definitely go for the best provider there is at the moment. However, make sure that people who sell the tractor to you are trustworthy, make sure that you know how to use it (especially if you do not have much experience in this field) and make sure that you invest in an actually qualitative product, so that you can reap its benefits for a longer period of time.

How to Find Good-Quality Farm Equipment for Sale When the Time is Right

Maintaining your farm takes a lot of your time and when you do not have a lot of workers to help you; your property could eventually become run down. A well-maintained farm is a productive and has a high market value. And the only way that you could take care of any kind of farm is to use specialized farm equipment.

Farm machinery sales offer farm equipment for sale for a variety of brands and models. You may get overwhelmed of the many types of farm equipment and machines that you will find in most sales offices but the most important thing that you need to remember is to only choose good quality farm equipment. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. To find good quality you should become familiar with quality equipment and machine brands. One way to do this is to find a farm equipment brand comparison online or any farm equipment for sale site. Take note of the farm equipment that you need and then the corresponding brands. Compare brands according to their availability, warranties, parts availability, user friendly features, price and resale value.

Why include resale value of farm equipment? Because sooner or later you another model of the machine that you have will come and you will surely be interested in trading or reselling yours for a new one.

2. Ask around. If you have neighbours that use farm equipment, ask about their preferred brands and models. Join online forums and read blogs about farm machines for sale. A personal experience of a consumer is the best reference for the ideal equipment that you should choose for your need.

3. Consult a sales personnel. Make that more than one sales personnel; in choosing farm equipment for sale, you should hear both sides of the story. Consulting only one could only result to a bias choice. Again, consider factors such as availability, warranties, parts availability, user friendly features, price and resale value. You should also ask for personal repair service that will visit your farm in case of machine or equipment repairs. Do not hurry to make a decision even when the sales personnel is asking you to make a decision as soon as possible. Farm equipment is a serious investment and should be planned extensively before making your purchase.

4. Be keen on equipment sales and similar events in your community. Whether you are looking for brand new equipment or second hand ones you will only get the best when you consider going to farm events such as festivals, trade shows, conferences and workshops. You will be able to find the best suited equipment for your needs but you will also learn updated information about farm maintenance and so much more.

5 Tricks for Choosing the Best Machinery Goulburn to Suit your Needs

Cleaning up your lawn and making it look presentable requires not only time and effort, but also proper machinery. Hence, you need to know about the proper procedure to choose the correct machinery suitable for you. Here are some tips to help you choose the correct Machinery Goulburn to make your lawn look great.

Read the reviews

One of the best ways to know which machinery will be the correct one for you, is to go through the reviews. With the help of the feedback of previous users, you will be able to know more about the product and make sure that it is what you require.

Check out the options for refurbishment

When you are browsing through the details of the machinery Goulburn, you can check out the details of refurbishment. If you know who carried out the repairs and how it was carried out, you can be sure that the equipment will be worth your money.

Look for local sellers

One of the most important factors which you should keep in mind is to look for a local seller which choosing your machinery. A local will be able to interact with you on a regular basis and as and when you require. This allows you to have an expert advice on the product you are about to buy when you require so.

Know the basics 

When you are buying any machinery, you should have an idea about the type of machinery and its functions. In short, you should know what a machine is used for and how you can use it. If you do not have that information, you should conduct a research or ask an expert about the same. Also, before you actually choose something, make sure that you know what you require and how the machinery you are buying is going to be helpful for you.

Check out the reputation of the distributor or the seller

The reputation of the distributor matters a lot and hence, you should keep in mind to do a background search about the distributor as well.

The lawn care machinery that you choose will make the process of trimming and maintaining your lawn easy. However, if you find that the tools are expensive when you are planning to buy it, then you can definitely choose refurbished products which come at a much lesser price but is better in certain cases. Also, you can consider the brand of the lawn care machinery that you are choosing and see if it is reputed enough to suit your needs or not. The final decision of choosing a product lies with you and you need to make a wise choice about the same. All the best!

5 Steps to Purchasing Top Quality Tractors Goulburn

If you have an acreage or a farm then one of the best investments that you can possibly have is a tractor. If you live in Goulburn NSW then you may be looking for top quality tractors Goulburn. But before anything else, check out these 5 important steps to follow to ensure that you are purchasing top quality machinery:

1. Decide what you need the tractor for. You need to exactly define your needs so you will be able to easily find the exact machinery for your farm or for your business. Do you need to lift and load dirt, hay and other heavy objects in trucks or you basically need a tractor for shedding or pulling. Other features of a tractor like horsepower, size, lift capacities and accessories will all depend on the work that you want to do with your tractor.

2. Look for reliable tractor Goulburn dealer. A local dealer understands exactly what acreage and farm owners need in Goulburn and will also be able to recommend the ideal machine that will completely help you with all kinds of farm work. Talk to a representative as soon as possible to reduce possible costly mistakes in the future.

3. Choose the ideal brand. Tractors have different uses, sizes, load capacities, types of transmissions and spare parts to name a few but still the brand provides a lot of information regarding the quality and the warranty of the machine.

You can make a smart choice by comparing top tractor brands. Top brands that seem to dominate the market are Kubota and Krone. You should choose brands according to versatility, reliability, impressive performance in any terrain and a brand that will provide owners peace of mind.

4. Decide on your budget. This is very important especially when you have a tight budget. Very much like purchasing a car, you will also be able to buy a tractor according to your budget. You may also select from used or second hand tractors. Even a farm owner with a limited budget can afford a second hand tractor but he should first ensure the quality of the second hand machine before making a purchase.

5. Finally, look for a better warranty. A simple rule of thumb is the longer the warranty the better. If you plan to use your tractor on a daily basis then you should look for a warranty that will run for 3 years or more. You should also consider the location of the nearest service centre or repair garage in case of any technical or mechanical issues. Having a repair personnel that does home service and that will use genuine parts is also a must for every tractor purchase.

4 Clever Tips on How to Make the Most Out of Farm Machinery Sales Australia

Farm machinery sales offer farm equipment and machines all year round and no matter what kind of machine you are looking for you can easily make the most of farm machinery sales Australia when you follow these ingenious buying tips:

1. Look for Quality Farm Machinery Brands

Never settle for just any kind of farm machinery, always insist on top quality machines. And when it comes to high quality, you can only find this from dependable machine sales centres or offices. Quality could mean different things for different farm owners when it comes to farm equipment and so you should therefore make a list of what you exactly need. For instance, some farm owners need a tractor to pull wagons and carts more than tractors that lift hay or other heavy objects around the farm. Therefore a tractor that has more horsepower with an average lift may be chosen since this will provide quality and efficient help in a particular farm.

2. Insist on the Best Warranties

As you check on the features of the tractors, mowers, farm utility vehicles and hay equipment in a farm machinery sales Australia office you should never overlook choosing machines with a suitable warranty period. There are different warranty periods for every kind of equipment; tractors are the most commonly used in a farm and therefore receive the longest warranties (this may be expressed in years or number of hours e.g., 3 years or 3,000 hour warranty). You will have absolute peace of mind knowing that your farm equipment is covered for repairs and parts for a long time.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Choose Second Hand or Used Farm Equipment

There is great value in second hand equipment! Not only will you be saving a lot of money to be used for other important things in your farm but you will also be able to keep the cost of your farm maintenance or production down. Knowing where to look is the first important step in buying used farm equipment in Australia and there are a lot of great online sites that offer second hand equipment as well.

4. Talk to Sales Personnel to get Professional Advice

If you have doubts about which machine to purchase or if you would like to find out your options then it would be best to talk to sales personnel. You may get advice about the ideal machine that will suit your industrial or farm maintenance needs. If you are ever on a tight budget, you can also count on sales personnel to provide you with options on affordable but high quality farm machine equipment.

It is rest assured that you will find the most suitable farm equipment from machinery sales centres in no time at all when you follow these clever tips.