Do most older tractors leak?

[sirrobinhood]

Hello all,
Ive been looking at some older tractors..like massey and JD. I dont think I ever saw one that didnt leak!
Anyway, should I be concerned with a slight leak..between trans and engine..I think rear seal?
Tractor sat inside on a concrete floor for a few days and had about a golf ball size oil spot on the floor.
This was on a massey 231

[BIG DOOLEY]

Maybe the owner also had a Harley and just thought it was normal and never fixed it.

Howdy from Michigan

[MIKE R]

Don't tractors and oil leaks go hand and hand. I have yet to see one other than brand new that didn't leak.

[troutsqueezer]

2002 Kubota B21, 1450 hours... no leaks, anywhere.

[DT86]

That is kind of like asking if dogs bark. Some don't, some will a little and some never stop.

[Tomtint]

If it stops leaking,....you better check the oil.

[MBTRAC]

And if it stops leaking, it usually stops going-soon after.......

The leaks on Old Tractors is a form of automatic controlled underbody lubrication - stops everything from rusting & seizing up.......

[BIG DOOLEY]

I would say most old tractors deserve a leak here and there .
As long as it isn't running out while running it is probably ok.
Having to add a little oil is not a sign the motor will fail soon.
there are some additives for engines to soften old seals.
Compression test, clutch& pressure plate condition, hydraulic pressure would be more of a bigger worry to me than a small oil leak.
Spitting a tractor in half for a new clutch is an expensive repair.
Adding a little oil every month is not.
Just my opinion.

[Thomas]

Some of those old cast iron engine weren't mill like todays engines,some case double gasket we needed.

Oil spots..tractor just marking its spot.

[art]

It really depends on the owner from what I've seen. They can be fixed but often enough it is cheaper to add a quart of oil.