Tractor hours (how to interpret)?????

[pharmvet]

Ok, regarding tractor hours, I need a reference point. I realize there can be easy and hard hours put on a tractor. In my mind, once a truck has 100,000 - 125,000 miles on it, I begin to worry about small things like pumps, alternators, etc going bad. In the tractor world, what is the hour equivalent to 100,000 miles on a truck? thanks

[JC-jetro]

Hours of operation at best is part of points you evaluate to consider the general health of a tractor/engine. One can destroy tractor with only few hours and on the flip side a diesel tractor might be just breaking in with 1000 hrs. The use and abuse can be evaluated with the general shape of tractor and how it was used. In my opinion a well cared compact diesel engine should work to about 6000 hrs or so with bigger rig ab out 12000-15000 before some major overhaul would be needed. Taking a grain salt with the statement I made might not be a bad idea.

JC

[MarkV]

And you also have to keep in mind that all hour meters are not equal. My tractor with a mechanical meter records hours based on RPM's, the lower the RPM's the less hours, while my one with an electrical meter will record hours whenever the key is on, even if the engine is not.

MarkV

[LoneCowboy]

And of course, size of the motor/tractor matters too
bigger tractors/motors can go many more hours.

and your skill in repairs matter. If you're a good mechanic and don't mind, hours may not matter.

For me, IMO
compact tractors are DONE by 4000 hours, so I won't even look at anything over 2k hours and personally there are lots of deals at the below 1000 hours level.

Same thing with skid steers. DONE by 4k hours, you see tons of SS's for sale at 2000 hours, ever wonder why?

Bigger tractors go longer. I see lots of 75-125hp tractors still in good shape at 6000/7000 hours. So, probably look at them up to 2000/3000 hours.

[pharmvet]

Thanks guys, thats good information.

[Opti-Mist]

I don't know what today's parameters are but, for perspective, some years back a Ford accumulated proof-meter hours equal to clock time at 1600 rpm while Deere did it at 2000 rpm. There was no industry consistancy. At Ford a proof-meter hour was equated to 40 miles in terms of relativity.

[Cobra-R]

Maintainance history, operator habits, ect have way more influence than rpms the tach is based upon, or whether it is a big or small engine, skid loader or tractor, ect. The generalizations in this thread make sense, but are way to general to base a buying decision (or any other decision) on.

If you are buying a given tractor, get the owner information and call them. If you get a bad feeling, walk away.

Brian

[RickB]

Originally Posted by MarkV

And you also have to keep in mind that all hour meters are not equal. My tractor with a mechanical meter records hours based on RPM's, the lower the RPM's the less hours, while my one with an electrical meter will record hours whenever the key is on, even if the engine is not.

MarkV

A decent electiic/electronic hour meter won't rack up hours without sensing engine oil pressure. But many aren't set up that way.

[vsteel]

From what I have seen, a lot of tractors count one hour at rated PTO speed as one hour. There are also a lot of electric meters which slow down the hours when the engine is not up to full speed.

[Soundguy]

Originally Posted by Opti-Mist

I don't know what today's parameters are but, for perspective, some years back a Ford accumulated proof-meter hours equal to clock time at 1600 rpm while Deere did it at 2000 rpm. There was no industry consistancy. At Ford a proof-meter hour was equated to 40 miles in terms of relativity.

How about clocking an hour at pto rpm.. different machines have different pto rpms'.. thus different rpms to clock an hour.


no need to have a 'standard'.. just have a common frame of reference.. that's all you need... IE.. 1 hr of 540 pto rpms.. etc..

soundguy