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John Shade Join Date: Posts: 1

2000-05-08          16068

Anyone have knowledge or experience with "TaskMaster" or "AgriCat" tractors? It looks like one can get a 25 hp w/loader for $10000-$11000. This seems like a real good deal compared to the Green/Orange/Blue/Yellow/Red... I know that these are "no-frills" as far as options, but I don't have to have most of that stuff. Dealer tells me that Yanmar makes the engine & that it actually hits 28.5 hp on the dyno (rated @ 25 hp to limit import taxes???).

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John Shade Join Date: Posts: 1

2000-05-08          16069

Also throw Allied into this group... ....

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Brent Pepper Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 58 Athens Alabama

2000-05-08          16080

They are Chinese, at least the Taskmaster is. I have never heard of them putting a Yanmar engine in them. Sounds like a line that the dealer would use as a selling point. The Chinese tractors don't have that good of a reputation, but you won't find many people who admit to having one to find out the full story. My only experience with Chinese tractors is seeing one on display at a show with a puddle of oil under it. That kind of turned me against them. ....

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Jerri Neese Join Date: Posts: 1

2000-05-09          16085

John,

I really have little expierence with these tractors but let me relay what I have seen first hand. I went to purchase a backhoe this last weekend from a fellow who owned a "task master" tractor. I was interested to know how it had performed for him. His answer very well and then he proceeded to start it. It would not start, the switch was bad. We started it across the starter with a screwdriver. Next we took the backhoe off and put a counter weight on the tractor in order to load the hoe. The 3pt would not lift. Now understand that this is a low hour tractor (under 600 hours) and is stored indoors. Lastly, I will say that the fit and finish are very crude. The castings could cause some serious raspberries if you accidently rubbed against one. In closing, I would give some very serious thought to whether I really wanted one of these or not.

Jerri ....

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Bill Cooman Join Date: Posts: 1

2000-05-09          16104

John, I've been reading a number of ag forums for a while now, and any time this question comes up, the answer is: Chinese tractors don't have that good a reputation in either reliability or service.
However, I'm not certain how much of this is fact, and how much is simply anti-Chinese product paranoia. Yes, the Chinese may be using 20-30 year old manufacturing techniques, but did we not produce, not just adequate, but great machinery using those same principles? Also, it wasn't that long ago that we held the same sentiment about Japanese products, and now they're considered the world standard (go figure)!
I think two more important questions with regard to these tractors are the particular factory in which they were made, and to who's specs they were built. Some of them are actually made to American dictated specs using readily available replacement parts - i.e. GM alternator, VW oil filter.. When it comes down to it, aren't all compact tractors for the West made elsewhere (Japan or Korea) to American specs?
If you're looking for an inexpensive, but well built compact tractor, and you don't mind one that doesn't have all the lights, bells, whistles, and computers that the red, green, blue, or orange ones do, check out either: Task Master (http://www.taskmaster.net) or Iron Horse (http://www.ironhorsetractor.com)
These are both made in China to American specs - i.e. 3 cylinder diesel, live pto, power steering, ROPS, cat I 3pt hitch, two stage clutch, 12 speed tranny. I saw the Iron Horse in person at my state spring equipment show, and it looks like a beast! Solid built components, good fit and finish (a couple of rough castings, but hey, take a close look at a 15 year old "American" made unit), and no oil leaks!
Sorry for the long-winded response, and thanks for letting me have my say. Good luck to you...
....


Link:   Iron Horse Tractor

 
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