And here i thought it stood for Killed In Action 
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Registered: 03/27/2008 Posts: 1,152 |
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Registered: 03/27/2008 Posts: 1,152 |
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Registered: 03/27/2008 Posts: 1,152 |
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Registered: 03/27/2008 Posts: 1,152 |
I can maybe get you a little inside look on why various parts are made in different spots.
My dad's company (not his, but he runs the show) produces "perforated sheet metal" for over a 100 years now. They have several patents and after this long time an experience other's don't have. One of those deals is the "screen with the most throughput of air" along with the knowledge how to get it in all different kinds of shapes. So most tractor manufactures get their grills done there these days as with the laws of noise emissions and todays engine performance they need to have as much as possible of the engine compartement covered, but need to get rid of heat. So - how does it work: The manufactures give out a "task". They want piece XY to fulfill WZ conditions. Then the suppliers can offer "solutions" and a price. So e.g. at my dad's company they have engineers who then come up with a design and offer that to e.g. John Deere. Best solution at the right price, or right solution at the best price get's the job. Given their experience and patents, they are often able to offer "the best" solution. It's not like JD would go out and try to find a manufacturer for their design anymore. So if you don't have the engineering in house, you don't even matter. Then it's "deliver on time" to the production line. Where you are located doesn't matter and how you get your parts to the production plant is your problem. You deliver late and the assambly line has to be put on hold - you pay for that. Another good example, and why it is even cheaper to ship a simple piece like a ladder step all the way from germany to e.g. Waterloo/IL than making it there: At my dad's company they have a HUGE stamp / press forming ladder steps out of plain sheet metal in basically 3 stamps. That machine puts out like 40 ladder steps a minute and is operated ( I should say observated) by one guy. 
That's like 2400 of those steps in one hour which brings those steps down to a price where even the chinese cannot compete anymore. And except for CNH all major tractor manufactures use them... every one has it's "own" design and some want thicker sheet metal than others, but in the end, it's basically the same step. 
If you start to come up with your own design and invest into a machine that could put out the numbers used by yourself only - you're production price will be too high, as you couldn't get anywhere near the numbers and efficiency. The trick here is to know how to make that step with only three punches... and to figure that out takes quite a while. ...modern times.... Floating Finish - the German Tractor Pulling Web Show and EU Live Streams: [www.youtube.com] Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/2010 10:07PM by Sascha. |
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Registered: 03/27/2008 Posts: 1,152 |
Now.. as a woman who loves going pulling, to me that would be a great date! So not all men would be stupid to take me there.. it may not be the most romantic, but its better than sitting at home! 
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I've took my girlfriend to Ft Recovery on her birthday, that's how much she loves pulling
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Ya, i would just spill it anyway. 
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