Ep144: Have you considered NorTrac tractors by Northern Tool?
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- This video is part 2 of our discussion answering viewer questions about Box Store Tractors and Mail Order Tractors. In this video, I discuss my opinion on Northern Tool's NorTrac tractor. I look at some of the things that I like and some of the things that seem uncertain.
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Lost a gas cap for a Nortrac and its been a NIGHTMARE trying yo find one. Between a frirnd and me we have 6 hours into trying. Read the comments and found Affordable Tractors link and OMG, I found one! Finally. Thanks for posting this video!
Nortrac is Jinma tractor and I have had it 20 years Love it .....No problems easy to fix
Thanks for your comments.
I'm a professional tractor mechanic, the tractors have good engines but first generation had poor clutch design. But that has now been improved dramatically. They are basic, and china parts for it are the cheapest I have seen and the front end loaders are excellent built in WI. And the new clutch design is available for the first edition tractors I have replaced one already solved all issues.
Is it true that even John Deere, MF, and New Holland etc have some Chinese parts on it?
I owned a nortrac 30hp for three months. I paid thirteen grand for it. I arrived missing part of the throttle linkage, and a broken fuel gauge. After almost three months and about 20 hours it lost oil pressure while grading my diveway. I called northern tool, the guy insisted it was the oil gauge. I told him I pulled the oil line off at the block, disconnected the fuel pump and turned the engine over, no oil. I told him I think it spun a cam bearing.Long story short, they sent a John deer dealer from a hundred miles away to pick up the tractor and take it to their shop. I asked why when we have a JD dealer less than twenty miles away. Nt's response was "they won't work on our tractors"When they got it to the dealer it had it's oil pressure back. I wanted them (the dealership to pull it down and look at the bearings, Nt refused to let them unless I paid for it. I talked to several dealers in the area mostly JD and they all said nortrac tractors all have bearing problems, cam, and main bearings mostly. It almost went to court, before they refunded my money. Stay away from them!
Very thoughtful message, really appreciate your time.
I am a farmer of 750 acres I once looked at Nortrac as a backup didn’t like the sound of their repair speal so I stayed away. A couple of years ago I saw one in the local repair shop and the mechanic was complaining on not being able to track down parts as it was probably over 10 years old and Nortrac wasn’t much help. Now I think I will stay with our Masseys or Kubota as Dealer Service is the most important thing you need to check. Doing your own service is great I do most but a good parts man and a mechanic to question is invaluable.
Agreed. If you can't find parts it doesn't matter how good a mechanic you are.
Pepsi Challenge..... Love it! Great commentary. Again experience and wisdom beat research every time. Rock on Red.
Again, like the first episode, this was a very balanced commentary. I like the way you did this pair - you gave all the pros/cons, and were very fair. Good info, thanks
Without using either tractor, I don't feel comfortable giving it a definite thumbs up or thumbs down.
Nor-trac and rk both of your videos are well done
Thanks for the Info.
I bought a 1968 ih 444 for $3000 and it's 42hp and runs great
I`ve had a Nortrac Dozer for 15 years and only have had to replace a track pin
Damian Miller, so dozer works great looking @ buying one 40hp nice small dozer with 3point and hydros on back
Affordable Tractors online and in TX, has all the parts for these tractors. I have a 2005 Jinma 354 $10, 500 out the door with loader. It has been very reliable and rugged. Only thing i have replaced was the hydraulic pump but that was due to a quick coupler coming undone by brush and deadheading the pump and snapped the shaft.
Avery thing you said about
Nortrac. I have heard the same thing about the other brand of tractors more money don't mean a better tractor.
I have noticed every nortrac I've seen for sale needs a clutch and as it was explained to me people that are not tractor people buy them and ruin the clutch....but I've never seen anyone that owns one that's complaining about them
I will stick with my 1950 TO-20 Ferguson....I also have a 1952 TO-30 Ferguson....can't trade them off for a new tractor
Really enjoyed both videos I will be subscribing to your channel. I stumbled onto them because of outdoors with the Morgan's by the way. In Western North Carolina where I'm from Massey is king with Kubota a close 2nd they both have a lot of dealerships in the area.
We don't have much Massey around here. I can't even think of where the nearest dealer is. Thanks for watching!
Red Tool House - Homestead
Troy, thank you my friend, for doing such in-depth research on the topic. When I'd first found the Nortracs on Northern Tool my head wasn't in the space of maintenance or replacement parts. Admittedly, I was enticed by the price tags on the Northern Tool website. I am not in any way mechanically inclined, I'd be calling in a mechanic or hauling a tractor to the shop for repair. Back to the drawing board to look at American made to avoid potential parts replacement and/or mechanic problems!
No problem. This has started some great discussion. I think there are going to be potential issues with anything you buy. If I was in your shoes, I would be more comfortable buying a used tractor that has a great service/dealer nearby versus buying a new tractor that has no service options nearby.
Hyder Enterprises That's what they were hoping you would do, not think about the after sales service and support. It's good to know that you are now catching on to the game. I wish you the best in your search.
I like how you made the videos on the same day and only moved the camera to your right.
Yup, we call that "batching"
How come everyone that’s says something bad. Starts with I knew a guy or I heard of a guy. I own one love it and there is no emissions on it classic p pump injection pump linkages and simple wiring. It’s a bull and I do all my work with it great tractor very heavy for its size also. If you have any no how on how to fix tractors it’s easy to fix, another benefit is if you can’t fix it a shade tree mechanic can no dealer secrets on this machine!
Is that 3cyl Perkins Diesel pretty good built? Looking into the mini bucket be nice if they have a hydraulic auger adapter
Good Objective video! Here on my farm I have several old tractors and one newer and big. My oldest is a IH cub, then a 68 Massey Ferguson 35, with a 3 cylinder Perkins Engine. Then a 1974 18 HP Kabota. Then in 2010 when I retired from the Rail Road I bought a fairly new but used big John Deere 4 wheel drive/ cab /AC. I got it for less than half price it had only 2000 hours. I uses the web site of “ machinery Pete” to find it. ( I am a mechanic and do all my own work. My favorite toy is a 50’s Allis Chalmers HD21 bulldozer 4 cylinder Detroit with a Wisconsin pony engine to start it.
Totally agree. Especially with the new Tier 4 emissions. That's why I went the 3025e J.D. I opted to stay under the radar horse power and not have DPF to deal with along with Regeneration Process that I've heard will cause operation issues while trying to use while regen is taking place. My brother is a pipeline and he was telling me the new big Catapillar Bulldozers has the Teir 4 Emissions on them and when the regeneration process begins you only have about 30-40% torque so you almost have to wait until the process is complete to use the machine. Awesome comparison RTH. 👍👍👍
Yeah, I have a marketing customer that builds rock drills and the Tier 4 stuff is really a pain in their butt. Thanks for watching.
The local Mahinda dealer told me 6 months ago that they do not have a Tier 4 tractor that has not been back to the shop. Told me all I needed to know. I also intentionally purchased a JD tractor that did not fall under the Tier 4 regulations. In a few years we may have to but I can take less HP to keep the computer out.
Huge red flag for me is the different manufacturers through the years. Getting parts in 14 years from now for your tractor? good luck....
I have been to the assembly facility in Minnesota and they do assemble the entire tractor there. I applied for that job.
Good to know. Thanks for responding.
Finally a person whom "sweats the small stuff". So many people gloss over the little things and jump the BIG points.
I love his ending "all brands can make bad stuff". It really boils down to reduce your odds.
No doubt! Even a Rolls Royce gets recalled!
I've just bought a 25 HP Nortrac (says Loval on the front) for wood hauling, landscaping, and snowplowing my little 8 acres of woods. I've only had it a few weeks but it starts fine at 10F. Runs smooth, has 8 speeds (4 high, 4 low) on shuttle shift in forward and reverse. I got my car stuck in the snow shortly after I got it. Hooked onto the car hitch with the tractor and put it in 4WD. I could not only pull the car out but spin it around on the packed snow with no problem. I just got a bucket with it, but might consider a small grapple, log splitter and snow blower later on. A friend's son is a diesel mechanic so I might talk to him, but I doubt it will need maintenance soon with the hours I'll put on it. I'll probably post again after I've had it a year. Like your channel and I also watch Morgan. It's definitely worth watching both. Keep up the good work.
Read your comment, curious to know how it runs now?
I'm here for the update
Still like the tractor in general. Only problem I've had is the hydraulic pump bracket has broken twice, cheapest solution was to replace the pump with one from ebay. Holland tractors uses the same pump but charges much more for parts. Have forks for the bucket and a back blade now and that seems to cover most of my property management needs. The Japanese Shibaura diesel seems to run perfectly summer and winter. I don't think Northern tool offers the 25 hp version any more. If I could change one thing, I might consider the 35 hp version, but not critical. I actually pulled a 15 yard dump truck out last year when he got stuck in my yard. @@covertoperatah
Thanks for the update 👍
Approximately 10 years ago Rural King started selling tractors and the brand was Tractor King which became Foton in about a year or 2. I owned a 40 HP Tractor King which is basicly the tractor Northern Tools sells now. The reason Rural King stopped selling them was because they absolutely could not get parts. I purchased mine at the Owensboro, Ky rural King and in Henderson, Ky which is 30 miles down the road I saw what became of the brand. They always had 4 or 5 tractors weighting to get parts so they could be sold and 5 or 6 setting around that were either returns or brand new tractors that were being parted out due to poor parts supplies. I had a boot on the transmission hat was cut and tried for over 2 years and finally gave up. So my biggest objection was parts supply.
Now, here is my take on the tractor. Mine was a manual shift with a low and high range and was 4WD that could be thrown in and out. They were basicly a tractor that looked like they were made in the 50's or early 60's and had modern lights and electronics on it and the wiring was of poor quality. Mine had a Perkins engine and was possibly the high point of the tractor. It was "very" clunky to drive around so I let all the fluid out of the tires and took all the weights off and it made it a much more drivable tractor for things like bush-hogging.
In conclusion: I wouldn't buy one of the NorTrac tractors for any reason I can think of. On the other side of the coin, the new RK tractors (TMY) are "great" tractors but to put that much money in a tractor that would drop so much more than say a John Deere and not be a full-time farmer would seem iffy at best. Not afraid of the tractor, just the resale value.
The parts issue would be very frustrating.
Hey Red, at 9:47 you discuss the issue with your tire, a more appropriate term would be "Tolerance." This is an age-old issue that will persist until the end of time, The fact that no matter how hard we try nothing built will be "Perfect." This is compounded by each manufacturer having different Tolerance allowances for the parts they make.
Think I would skip the NorTrack. I would feel much more comfortable getting an RK. I am starting to look at the RK now.
Robert Steinbrecher i would say dont go for either one. you’d be good with a kioti, deere or kubota. mahindra is ok but they have electric issues and their warranty sucks. new holland is majorly under powered and they also have issues with a lack of hydraulic lift capabilities. but i would honestly say look at the new-used/used market and look at the kioti, kubota, or deere. the used market will be fairly good pricws overall even if you look at tractors that are only 3-5 years old. or maybe something like a john deere 30 or 20 series, kubota L series, im unfamiliar with kioti as i’ve never worked with one. but i have heard good things about them. these box store tractors aren’t really terribly good quality wise and the three i listed above are really your best three options as far as compact tractors go. not expecting you to take everything im saying to heart but just some things to consider and maybe check out because the few extra dollars will benefit you in the longrun.
Logan Bedard thanks for your suggestion. I always take all points of view into consideration especially on big purchases.
I think your way off I own a RK55 and I had a Mahindra 3016 I really like both tractors The RK has the same engine as the John deere and and they have a great warranty, I never had one problem with my Mahindra I had it for 4 years and never had one problem not one I loved that tractor the only reason I got the RK55 is I wanted a bigger tractor and they both are very strong and RK has great service so I think your way off
Robert Steinbrecher I’m looking at getting the rk74 should be a good three row plow tractor
Rk tractors are built well and made in America.
They come in a Crate and they put it together in MN
Excellent review and comparison. Can you look into and compare the LS line of tractors?
I drive by an LS dealer all the time. Been thinking about stopping and checking them out.
Red Tool House - Homestead: Danny @ Deep South Homestead does not speak highly of the LS he owns.
I do too , stopped and looked at them, poked around, heard it start up, but no test drive. Overall it was clean, simple, inexpensive, yet did have quite a few options that are standard, that other tractors add on for a price.
Was told, the warranty is 8yrs, home delivery, home service available with additional extended warranty. Many offers and coverage.
They are made by TYM who the salesman said also make the New Holland. It had a Yanmar 3cyl diesel. Shuttle shift 6 - 2 is less expensive than Hydro. All models were substantial, but appeared on the lightweight side.
RK is 6 hours North or 6 hours South. Kubota 20min North and South but both are lame dealerships, Good one for Kubota is 1 hour East. JD is 25min North. Kioti 2 hours South.
Sounds like the LS is setup very similar to the Rural King Tractors. TYM makes a crap load of tractors!
I think that it doesn't matter the brand you need some mechanic skill to have a tractor.
I'm looking right now for a second tractor bigger the one I have and looking at the specs of this brand and the price compare to other one MAN i THINK I'M GONE GET ONE OF THESE.
If you do, let us know how it works out for you. I agree. Mechanic skills are very handy when it comes to tractors.
I have had the NorTrac 35xt w/ 160 koyker loader for almost 4 yrs... it has preformed very well. Just like any tractor there is Maintaince.. I have had to replace hoses on the loader and adjust the brakes. I will probably upgrade in a couple of yrs to the 45xtc to have the inclosed cab with a/c and heat.
But otherwise I don’t think it is any different then having the orange, green or blue tractors. Price wise I think the NorTrac has the best buy
Unless you are very mechanical inclined i would not get the Jimna/Northern tool tractor. Having owned one since 2004 parts are pretty easy to get though as you will break stuff.
good to know. thanks for your input.
Like most when new they look good on the show room floor but axle deep in in cow pies is another story. I like looking at a steel tractor that will get out of its own way. Most low horse power tractors are designed to run out of power before it splits a case or tears out a final drive. I don't like tractors that won't let you pick the type of drive (locking differential) If it keeps pulling on both wheels at all times then it better not be on any cement or ice cause it will tear the tires up, break parts in the case, rip out clutches, push you through corners and into the ditch, and the list goes on. If you can't lock the diff then a teaspoon full of donkey crap will put you wondering which shoe to dedicate to crap and how far that you can hop on one foot. The nice thing is that you can probably jump to dry ground cause it won't get you far enough unless you were free wheeling and got a little further. I like looking to see if the pumps are on the front of the engine and if they are only one type pump to work thing. If you look at their parts and labor book you will be well ahead of the game. A clutch that takes three weeks to change is going to be one to tear it down one day, wait nineteen days for parts then put back together with aid of camera cause it took so long you forgot where they go. I can buy a lot of parts for say twenty thousand dollars and get a good american tough and dependable used tractor with low to good history on all repairs mad so far and when. I bought a ford something for about twenty five hundred dollars and it did run and it was full assembled and it had dirty oil cause it needed a change, it wasn't changing oil itself every couple of days and killing mosquitoes for miles. It was in the fifties and it had lots of power and a three point hitch, it had a drill, a front end loader, a box blade, all the lines for the hydraulics were american standard and some were and some could stand changing and when I got rid of it they were still there looking like they may make the week like when I got it. I bought one tire in two years of working it and that was cause I ripped the valve core out and kept on going (on the highway)I hated doing that but I should of taken a different road and got home a little later
Have been wondering about the Branson and TYM tractors as far as parts, service, reliability, and usability. Have heard many horror stories on Mahindra not covering anything under warranty, claiming using their teactors in a commercial venture voids the warranty and views farming as a commercial venture.
My brother is taking his Branson in for major engine repair this week. Warped or cracked the head. Not impressed with that brand. If that is true about Mahindra, that would be an ugly conversation in the dealership if they void a warranty for farming!
Wannabejober Interesting. If a tractor uses a Yanmar engine, it should be fine. If it uses a diesel from an unknown maker, then I see trouble. But the bigger issue is parts down the road. Like he said, if it's going to be your main tractor, maybe get a solid used name brand tractor.
They. ARE foton/ lovol Im thinning about buying one here in Australia
Sooooo....I have an opportunity for a 28 HP 2007 Nortrac 4x4 with a loader. No rear PTO, but I dont need it, this will be a working tractor at my hunting camp. The 3pt need some work (just like you mention, will need to work on it). The catch is, it is selling for $3000. Do you think its worth the risk? Ill be doing minimal ground work, but like the loader for hauling logs, snow removal, for firewood and the annual (hopefully) deer. Thanks.
I'm a kubota guy myself. I purchased a 2001 brand new & so far no problems. but my partner owns a nortrac . it's only 3 years old & he bush hogs about 10 acres every mouth during the grass cutting season & he say hes had no trouble so far. & its a cab tractor. I'm considering a cab tractor myself . but it won't be another kubota. There prices are just out of my reach now.
What size is his NorTrac?
l went with a fellow and he purchased one new from northern. Couldnt get it off the trailer when we got it home. went right back and got a replacement. Brought it home put tiller on it. Didnt get to the end of the row and the transmission gave out.
Wow. I think that would be a deal breaker. That had to be very frustrating
First view, like, and comment!
My partners Nortrac is a 35 horse power tractor with a cab with air condition & heat. Although i'm considering a new cab tractor. I very seriously think it won't be a Nortrak nor Mahindra. they gets to much bad press on the internet for me.
Yeah, I am surprised at how much Mahindra has fallen lately.
Good stuff, if money were no object what tractor would you buy for your homestead?
Great question. I would probably go with a 55HP Kubota or a Massy. Stepping up to a 55 HP would be more important to me than the brand.
kubota is my #1 plus best 6 year warranty plus my kubota dealer fixes and service on 100% of every brand tractors and construction and forestry equipment plus my kubota dealer has 0% for 84 months
The loaders are built by Koyker out of South Dakota.
Interesting. Not familiar with them. I will have to check it out.
They are a pretty good after market loader. A friend of mine is a huge importer of gray market Yanmar tractors and he puts Koyker loaders on them. As new models of Yanmars come over he will send the Yanmar up to Koyker and they will make a template for mounting brackets. They also make brackets for domestic models.
these Chinese tractors are made in some of the same ones that john deer, massey ferguson (sp?)ect are made . these chinese tractors are better than you think. change the fluids out that it has with legit products an keep in mind that its not a big heavy duty tractor .
I think it's not so much the tractor but the dealership and service department.
Stay away from the Nortrac 35XT. I have one with 250 hours. Within the 1st 50 hours, I broke the shuttle shift housing. It basically cracked all the way around. It was covered under warranty but took 2 months for parts and repair. I was in low gear at just above idle trying to skim 5 inches off a compacted access road and the shuttle shift assembly housing broke again at 250 hours. I ordered the part July 1st and two months later the part still has not arrived. Once I get the assembly, it will take another month for the remove and replace. The shuttle shift housing is made from cast pot metal crap. the bell housing to the shuttle shift housing main body of the unit is quite thin. It should have been gusseted, but it is what it is. Other than that, it runs quite well and does everything I want it to do. This is only a tractor good for cleaning horse stalls or back filling trenches with non compacted dirt. Only use low 1st just above idle when loader the FEL, otherwise, it will cost $1700 for the repair. I would spend the additional money for either a Branson 4820 or an RK37. As far as ordering direct from China, good luck. freight costs are insane and the price of parts ranges by 100% to 200%. Dont buy a Nortrac because the metal quality of the transmission stuff is garbage and Nortrac takes forever to find parts.
This one just doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy...
nortrac is a rebrand foton i think
it looks like the 45XT and 55XT are Lovol tractors. look at the front of the tractor. also the 35xt are made by lovol, look at the styling.
sounds like mahindras brother???
To be fair. That was several years ago.
it looks like the 45XT and 55XT are LOVOL tractors. look at the front of the tractor.
Earlier Notracs were built by Jinma (owned by Mahindra) with Yangdong engines, the current models are built by Foton. 25 hp models use Shibaura (New Holland) engines. The 35 hp models use Laidong engines, that are proven to be very reliable. The larger machines use Perkins engines. Who the hell is going to put a tractor on a trailer and tow it to a dealer every time it needs service? Kind of weird to see someone reviewing a product they don't own. Your knowledge of these units is obviously VERY limited.
im with kubota and case
can you do one on mahindra tractors
Talking to our local Mahindra/LS dealer now about doing some reviews of their inventory.
They are economical tractors for home owners! Have run and owned a number of them. Used properly they good machines. Any dealer be it Kubota,john deere,Massey Ferguson ,Mahindra assembly them at the dealership. If you miss treat them they will break. Any trouble with them is usually operator error or abuse. Shop around and do your homework!
Koyker Loader
Yes it is a Koyker loader, I work for Koyker Manufacturing and we build them from start to finish in Lennox South Dakota.
I own a Nortac 254 from 2003.... Jinma tractor. Will not buy another. Parts hard to get. Leaks like a screen door. Eats starters...
The answer to that is NO! 5 years later they have stopped making them.
Back in the mid-90s I worked for a Kubota dealer that took on Belarus tractors as an economy line. DISASTER! I couldn't make head nor tail of how they worked, they were the most clumsy, awkward ,stupid raggedy ,rough built pieces of junk you ever saw. They sold a brand new one, it got three quarters of the way around the field with a baler & the tractor broke an axle and fall down in the middle of the job. Then 6,8 months later they were still trying to get parts to put the piece of crap back together. Thankfully I despised Belarus so much I never sold one to anybody and I'm proud of that.
Take a look at my vid about my "Repowered NT-254 Tractor" - or like I think of it 'how to keep your tractor alive after the Chinese have totally sold you a bill of goods!' - yeah it does get final assembly here in Minnesota - the engine is Yangdong, mine's a 25 hp. bought new in 2005 - P.S. best advice from someone who has swapped out the engine now 3x's and the final time with something totally different: DO NOT BUY THIS BRAND OF TRACTOR. save yourself the trouble, seriously. IT IS JUNK. The idea is good (basically a front end assist old ford 8 or 9N architecture.) I did use it for some very HEAVY work when it ran - but the materials are POORLY cast and the alloys are weak!!! You are warned. ~8)
I had heard the metal was sub-par. I hope have your engine issues figured out now.
yep... 27 hp kohler! ~8) works like a charm...!
Years ago Nortracs were Belarus tractors. TOUGH tractors.
From what I can tell the Nortrac are priced to high for what they are. They may be dependable... I dont know..... but a comparable Kubota is only about 10% more. Just go with the Kubota.
Yeah, price difference isn't worth the risk to me personally.
I'm going with the old saying and mind set if ya get what ya pay for.when ya buy a John Deere ya just pay for the green paint lol.but it all depends on what ya wanna use it for,how ya use it,and also how well ya take care of it.if ya treat it like shit you can bet it wont last long.if ya treat it good you can pretty much guarantee it will last ya a long long time.thats just good old common sense.you just gotta shop around,do your studying,and use a lot of common sense.this isn't rocket science
Absolutely! Find the setup that best fits your needs and budget. Many people may want JD but many people can't justify the expense.
I notice you talk alot about hp. Few people seem to refer to the tongue. HP is nothing without torque.
I agree. However, HP is how everyone "sizes" a tractor. When you say a 55HP tractor, you normally think of a tractor of a certain size.
Don't buy a RK55 been waiting 4 MONTHS on parts RUAL KING
RURAL KING tractors no good
Just go to a TYM dealer and get the parts since they are the manufacturer for RK
Nor Trac still sels the dozer .
Yeah, I showed a picture of it on the video. I am surprised it still sells.
Nor Trac are white box chinese tractors. they are not made under contract or specifically for northern. its just whatever models they produce at the time with a nor trac sticker on it. I would avoid these if you expect to search for parts by model name. if you are handy and understand you are buying the absolute cheapest piece of crap possible. then go for it.
It's made in China,that's a no from me for many reasons.