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.