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Utility Tractor Product Comparison Continued...

The National AgrAbility Project Staff are creating product comparison data sheets to be used as a "tool" for comparison and evaluation purposes only, when State AgrAbility staff need to make a recommendation between same/various manufacturers of similar pieces of equipment.  Below are the results of using the second tool that was developed, specifically to evaluate and compare Utility Tractors.


If you would like to evaluate and compare other Utility Tractors, please use the data gathering tool located on the Extranet, or use the Contact Us Web Link and request the utility tractor data gathering tool, and we will be happy to post your results here to share with all the AgrAbility staff.

Return to Utility Tractor Comparisons Page 1

Date of Information Gathering

November 2006  

November 2006  

November 2006  

November 2006  

November 2006  

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor Make and Model

John Deere 4320  

Kubota M6040  

Kubota L5030  

New Holland TC45DA  

Mahindra 3510  

 

 

 

 

 

Serial Number (engine)

LV 4320H320904  

51327 

39953 

5242  

E15300369  

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

[left side view]
[right side view]
[rear view]  

[left side view]
[right side view]
[rear view]  

[left side view]
[right side view]
[rear view]
 

[left side view]
[right side view]
[rear view]  

[left side view]
[right side view]
[rear view]  

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor Steps

1a: Measure the distance from the ground to the first step (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 1 )

19  

18 ½  

18  

19  

16  

 

 

 

 

 

1b: Measure the width of a step (inches)? If the step width changes when more than one step is provided, make a note of that. (Measure, see fig. 1 )

10 ¾  

12  

9  

9 ½  

11  

 

 

 

 

 

1c: Measure the depth of a step (inches)? If the step depth changes when more than one step is provided, make a note of that. (Measure, see fig. 1 )

6 ½  

4 ½  

2 ½  

2 ½  

5  

 

 

 

 

 

1d: Measure the distance between the step(s)(inches)? (Measure, see fig. 1 )

7  
distance from single step to the platform  

14  
distance from single step to the platform

9 ½  
distance from single step to the platform

11 ½  
distance from single step to the platform  

11  
distance from single step to the platform  

 

 

 

 

 

1e: Would adding another step (preferably to lower the first step height) be easy to do(yes or no, and explain why)?

yes, drill holes and bolt on  

yes, drill holes and bolt on  

yes, drill holes and bolt on  

yes, drill holes and bolt on  

yes, drill holes and bolt on  

 

 

 

 

 

1f: Measure the minimum distance between the rear of the front tire and the front of the rear tire (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 1 )

33 (FWD tractor) 

36 (FWD tractor) 

35 (FWD tractor)  

35 (FWD tractor) 

37 (FWD tractor)  

 

 

 

 

 

1g: Is a light provided to illuminate the steps (yes or no)?

no  

no  

no  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

1h: Do(es) the step(s) appear to have a “non-slip” surface (e.g., made from something like grip-strut material (yes or no)?

yes  

yes  

no  

questionable  

yes  

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor Hand Rail(s)/Hand Hold(s)

2a: Does the tractor have/offer hand rail(s) or hand hold(s) (yes or no)?(Measure, see fig. 2)

yes  

yes  

yes  

yes  

yes  

 

 

 

 

 

2b: If hand rail(s) or hand hold(s) are offered, measure how high one has to reach from the ground to grab the hand rail or hand hold at its lowest point (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 2)

55 to reach above fender to grip, one hand only  

54 to reach above fender to grip, one hand only  

51 to reach above fender to grip, one hand only  

47 to reach above fender to grip, one hand only  

46 to reach with right hand on left side, on side of fender  

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor CAB (If the tractor does not have a CAB, jump over to Section 4, Platform.)

3a: Does the tractor CAB offer platform access with one or two doors (number of doors)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3b: If the tractor CAB platform can be accessed from two doors (from both the left and the right side), is the clearance through each door equivalent (yes or no, sometimes the controls of shift levers limit CAB access on the right side) ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3c: Measure the minimum width of the tractor CAB door when the door is open, and describe the location, for example, near the middle of the door, or at the top of the door (inches, location)?(Measure, see fig. 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3d: Measure the maximum width of the tractor CAB door when the door is open, and describe the location, for example, near the middle of the door, or at the top of the door (inches, location)?(Measure, see fig. 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3e: Measure the maximum tractor CAB door vertical opening (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3f: Describe any items which limit access to the tractor CAB platform once the operator steps through the CAB door(s). For example, is there and extra rider seat that the operator must step over, or other control?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3g: Does the tractor CAB door(s) offer any type of hand rail(s) to assist in getting into or out of the tractor (yes or no)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3h: Does the tractor CAB have inside hand rail(s) to assist in getting into or out of the tractor (yes or no)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3i: Measure the minimum height from the CAB platform floor to the CAB interior ceiling. If there is a head bar, or control, or other protruding item, describe it (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3j: Measure the distance from the top of the seat pad when the seat is at its lowest position, to the CAB interior ceiling directly above the seat pad. If there is a head bar, or control, or other protruding item, describe it (inches)?(Measure, see fig. 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3k: Describe the exterior tractor CAB door handle (e.g., lever that you pull on, lever that you turn, knob you turn, etc.)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3l: Describe the interior tractor CAB door handle (e.g., lever that you pull on, lever that you turn, knob you turn, etc.)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3m: Do the CAB door(s) swing open toward the rear of the tractor or toward the front of the tractor (rear or front, be sure to specify if two doors available)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3n: Are there mirrors mounted inside the CAB which allow for viewing behind the tractor (yes or no)? If yes, how many mirrors, how are they adjusted, and where are they located (number, adjusted manual or powered, and location)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3o: Are there mirrors mounted outside the CAB which allow for viewing behind the tractor (yes or no)? If yes, how many mirrors, how are they adjusted, and where are they located (number, adjusted manual or powered, and location)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3p: Does the trctor CAB include a fire extinguisher (or have a mount for one) (yes or no)? If yes, is it mounted or just included ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor Platform

4a: Measure the height or distance from the ground to the tractor platform (inches)? Measure fig. 4, [4a, 4c and 4d] )

29  

33  

28  

30  

27  

 

 

 

 

 

4b: Is the tractor platform flat?, especially across where the operator would step to access the seat and/or rest their legs while driving (yes or no, and if not flat, describe it)?

no, not flat, center 3 inch high step  

no, not flat, center 3 inch high step  

no, not flat, center 1 1/2 inch high step  

no, not flat, center 4 inch high step 

yes, flat  

 

 

 

 

 

4c: With the tractor seat in its reward position, measure the clearance offered to the nearest point on the dash/console from the front edge of the seat pad (inches)? Measure fig. 4, [4a, 4c and 4d] )

12  

17  

12  

13  

13  

 

 

 

 

 

4d: With the tractor seat in its forward position, measure the clearance offered to the nearest point on the dash/console from the front edge of the seat pad (inches)? ? Measure fig. 4, [4a, 4c and 4d] )

6  

12 ½  

8  

8  

8 ½  

 

 

 

 

 

4e: What kind of suspension does the seat appear to use (describe)?

X scissors with spring  

springs with cylinder  

springs with cylinder  

spring  

mechanical  

 

 

 

 

 

4f: Does the tractor have any operating controls built into the tractor seat or seat arm rest (yes or no)? If yes, please describe them.

no  

no  

no  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

4g: Does the tractor seat have/offer two arm rests and if so, describe how you can adjust each arm rest (yes or no, number, and describe adjustment)?

no arm rests on seat  

yes 2 arm rests, flip up only  

yes 2 arm rests, flip up only  

no arm rests on seat  

yes 2 arm rests, flip up only  

 

 

 

 

 

4h: Does the tractor seat swivel (yes or no)?

no  

no  

no  

yes  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

4i: Does the tractor seat have/offer high back support (yes or no)?

no  

yes  

yes  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

4j: Is a second rider seat offered (yes or no)?

no  

no  

no  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

4k: Does the tractor have 12 volt style outlet(s)? If yes, how many and describe their location (yes or no, location)

no  

yes, 1, rear of seat  

yes, 1, rear of seat  

yes, 1, rear of seat  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

<4l: Does the tractor have/offer tilt steering wheel (yes or no)?

yes  

yes  

yes  

yes  

yes  

 

 

 

 

 

4m: Does the tractor have/offer a telescoping steering wheel (yes or no)?

no  

no  

no  

yes  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

4n: Does the tractor have/offer a Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS)(yes or no)? If yes, are seat belts included (yes or no)? -and- can the ROPS be folded down for orchard/garage clearance needs (yes or no)?

yes ROPS, yes seat belts, yes can fold ROPS down  

yes ROPS, yes seat belts, yes can fold ROPS down  

yes ROPS, yes seat belts, yes can fold ROPS down  

yes ROPS, yes seat belts, yes can fold ROPS down  

yes ROPS, yes seat belts, yes can fold ROPS down  

 

 

 

 

 

4o: Is this an older tractor that has had a ROPS added to it (yes or no)? If yes, what is the distance from the ground to the top of the ROPS (inches)?

no  

no  

no  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

Operator Controls

5a: Is there a foot operated clutch on the left side of the dash or column, and are there two foot operated brake pedals on the right side of the dash or column (yes or no)? If not, please describe where the tractor clutch and/or brake pedals are located.

no, brakes on left, forward/reverse hydro pedal on right  

yes  

yes  

no, brakes on left, forward/reverse hydro pedal on right  

yes  

 

 

 

 

 

5b: Is the foot operated clutch pedal and are the two foot operated brake pedals attached/mounted on shanks which extend down from underneath the dash column (yes or no), or are the pedals attached/mounted on shanks which extend up from below the platform (yes or no)?

no, yes (shanks extend up from platform)  

yes (shanks extend down from dash) , no  

yes (shanks extend down from dash) , no  

no, yes (shanks extend up from platform)  

yes (shanks extend down from dash) , no  

 

 

 

 

 

5c: Look for all the main tractor operator controls which require hand operation (e.g., throttle, range shifter, speed shifter, PTO on/off, three-point linkage/draft controls, hydraulics, park brake, etc., but disregard environment controls such as heat, air-conditioning, etc.) and make note of any main tractor operator controls which are NOT located on the right side of the operator's seat and list all of them.

(A, B, C) speed lever on left side,
park brake on left side,
front wheel assist lever on left side  

F/R shuttle shift left of steering wheel on dash,
front wheel assist lever on left side  

F/R shuttle shift left of steering wheel on dash,
front wheel assist lever on left side  

range levers on left side,
park brake on left side
front wheel assist lever on left side,
PTO on left side  

range levers on left side,
F/R shuttle shift left of steering wheel on dash,
front wheel assist lever on left side,
PTO on left side,
 

 

 

 

 

 

5d: . Most tractors have some sort of lever(s) used to control the tractor speed, and sometimes this may be two separate levers, one to select the range/direction and another to select the speed, or this maybe just one lever to control both functions. On older tractors, it was common to find the main range selecting lever that was operated in an "H" or similar pattern, where the operator would physically move the range lever to different positions within the "H" to select forward ranges 1, 2, 3, etc., or reverse. On newer tractors with hydrostatic, power-shift, or variable speed transmissions, the range/speed lever(s are more likely to be combined and require only an "in-line" or fore/aft movement. One might also find tractors now with joystick like range/speed lever(s) for controlling the direction and speed of the tractor, complete with electronic buttons or touch screens for selecting a range/speed. Find the type of range/speed lever(s) on this tractor and select the pattern used for shifting the transmission from below. If there is both a range and speed lever, indicate that.

- “H” or similar pattern

- In-line pattern

- Joystick, Touch Screen, or similar electronic controller

- Other, please describe

in line, hydro 

H pattern  

in line  

in line, hydro  

??  

 

 

 

 

5e: Most tractors have some sort of lever or control used to place the tractor in park. Please find this mechanism, and compare it to the different photos of park brakes shown in Figure 5, and select the style which most closely fits this tractor. If not match is found, please describe the park brake mechanism. (Review photos, see fig. 5)

figure 1, automotive style  

figure 2, push pedal and pull lever park brake  

figure 2, push pedal and pull lever park brake  

figure 5, park brake latch  

figure 2, push pedal and pull lever park brake  

 

 

 

 

 

General Tractor Items Using the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) as a reference for one's ability to reach when seated in a wheelchair, measure the following tractor "maintenance or outside the CAB control items.

6a: Measure the distance from the ground to reach/access the fuel tank (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 6)

60  

50  

53  

55  

52  

 

 

 

 

 

6b: Measure the distance from the ground to reach/access the dipstick for checking the engine oil level (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 6)

27  

31  

9  

31  

22  

 

 

 

 

 

6c: Measure the distance from the ground to reach/access the point for checking the coolant level (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 6)

52  

57  

52  

47  

51  

 

 

 

 

 

6d: Measure the distance from the ground to reach/access the dipstick for checking the transmission fluid level (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 6)

31  

31  

38  

38  

28  

 

 

 

 

 

6e: Does the tractor offer hydraulic valve control levers near the actual hydraulic valve couplers (such as at the rear of the tractor) so the operator could reach and activate the hydraulics without the need to get back on the platform or into the CAB (yes or no)? If yes, measure the distance from the ground to reach/access the hydraulic valve control lever(s) (inches)? (Measure, see fig. 6)

no  

no  

no  

no  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

6f: Does the PTO shield easily swing/pivot aside if needed or necessary for the operator to attach a PTO driven implement (yes or no)?

yes  

yes  

yes, (but difficult to move ) 

yes  

nos  

 

 

 

 

 

6g: Do the lower two hitch links both have telescoping (or adjustable) ends (yes or no)?

no  

yes  

yes  

yes  

no  

 

 

 

 

 

6h: Is the upper hitch link fixed (yes or no), or does the upper hitch link offer hydraulic control for ease of positioning and connecting implements (yes or no)?

yes fixed, turn/rotate to position  

yes fixed, turn/rotate to position  

yes fixed, turn/rotate to position  

yes fixed, turn/rotate to position  

yes fixed, turn/rotate to position  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Utility Tractor Comparisons Page 1

 

*NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Wisconsin, Easter Seals, or the AgrAbility Project, and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.

The AgrAbility Project is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture CSREES. Funding for this document was provided under project number 00-41590-0932.