Tenn_Blue
Silver Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 154
- Location
- N.E Tennessee
- Tractor
- Deere 2320, Bobcat 322 mini-ex, Bobcat 763 skidsteer
Read several discussions in the "buying/Pricing" section about "Is xxx hours too many for a XXX tractor?" - Got me thinking, what IS the life expectancy of one of the modern Deere tractors?
WAYYY to many variables to answer that, I know, so maybe the better question is "How long do you expect your tractor to last?"
From reading here, MOST of us don't put enough hours on our machines to wear out the engines! With a 2000 to 5000 hour life (more?), that's many years use.
As far as wearing the thing out, I would think that secondary system replacement (pumps, tires, hoses, sheet metal, controls, etc) is more of a factor. At some point, the tractor becomes unreliable or starts to nickel-and-dime you. So you decide to replace it then. But again, that would be pretty far down the line most of the time - how many of us get to that point?
Changing need seems to be more common.... I have a small tractor (2320) that meets my needs at this point. Based on my use, I would expect it to chug along for 20 - 25 years or so before I "wear it out". But if I buy adjacent acreage/clear wooded sections/hay/etc, I need to get a bigger/second tractor. I really think that's more likely than me wearing this tractor out!
Or do you change because of newer/shiny/better? Even if what you have is fine. (Nothing wrong with that if that's what you want! - your money, your choice!!!)
Maintenance is an issue... I assume the middle of the bell curve. Most of us are not **** about our tractors, but we do take care of them more or less. Obviously, a tractor with 5 year old oil, lives outside, and gets no maintenance won't last as long as one that is immaculately cared for and lives in a climate controlled barn.
And there are lemons/badly designed models/freak failures/theft/etc that happen and we don't expect....
Seems like there are a lot of older, simple design, way overbuilt tractors out there that last, well, forever! Designs like the old Fords, the REALLY old Deeres, etc - pure simple mechanical systems that were not stressed and were built (in my opinion) for the long haul. Way different than our emission controlled, electronic brained, minimum material complex models of today! Are today's tractors built to last as long as the old ones were?
Wow! that was longer than I wanted! But anyway, How long do you expect to have your tractor and/or how long do you think it will last?
WAYYY to many variables to answer that, I know, so maybe the better question is "How long do you expect your tractor to last?"
From reading here, MOST of us don't put enough hours on our machines to wear out the engines! With a 2000 to 5000 hour life (more?), that's many years use.
As far as wearing the thing out, I would think that secondary system replacement (pumps, tires, hoses, sheet metal, controls, etc) is more of a factor. At some point, the tractor becomes unreliable or starts to nickel-and-dime you. So you decide to replace it then. But again, that would be pretty far down the line most of the time - how many of us get to that point?
Changing need seems to be more common.... I have a small tractor (2320) that meets my needs at this point. Based on my use, I would expect it to chug along for 20 - 25 years or so before I "wear it out". But if I buy adjacent acreage/clear wooded sections/hay/etc, I need to get a bigger/second tractor. I really think that's more likely than me wearing this tractor out!
Or do you change because of newer/shiny/better? Even if what you have is fine. (Nothing wrong with that if that's what you want! - your money, your choice!!!)
Maintenance is an issue... I assume the middle of the bell curve. Most of us are not **** about our tractors, but we do take care of them more or less. Obviously, a tractor with 5 year old oil, lives outside, and gets no maintenance won't last as long as one that is immaculately cared for and lives in a climate controlled barn.
And there are lemons/badly designed models/freak failures/theft/etc that happen and we don't expect....
Seems like there are a lot of older, simple design, way overbuilt tractors out there that last, well, forever! Designs like the old Fords, the REALLY old Deeres, etc - pure simple mechanical systems that were not stressed and were built (in my opinion) for the long haul. Way different than our emission controlled, electronic brained, minimum material complex models of today! Are today's tractors built to last as long as the old ones were?
Wow! that was longer than I wanted! But anyway, How long do you expect to have your tractor and/or how long do you think it will last?
Oh, you were talking about a Deere..., in that case I can't comment.
