What is a Tractors Lifespan?

[Egon]

That is very true but not helpful if you are trying to amortize the cost of owning something. Lifespan as you describe can only be determined after you have the equipment.

And for different people there will be a different lifespan that is acceptable.

 

[rgr33]

I guess a tractors true lifespan is when it gets to the point when nobody can be found that is willing to purchase and repair the machine at any cost, not even for free.

As a ball park guess, I would think in terms of engine hours, not years.
For a 35 hp tractor, I would guess by 10 to 12,000 hours, it would be in such poor shape It might not be worth the expense of fixing.

A larger Ag tractor like a JD 93xx would still be out working the fields at 10k hours, probably lots of Big Ag tractors out there with 16,000 hrs still working fine,
Plenty of examples both ways that are exceptions to these numbers, but that is my guess as a place to start.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I guess a tractors true lifespan is when it gets to the point when nobody can be found that is willing to purchase and repair the machine at any cost, not even for free.

As a ball park guess, I would think in terms of engine hours, not years.
For a 35 hp tractor, I would guess by 10 to 12,000 hours, it would be in such poor shape It might not be worth the expense of fixing.

A larger Ag tractor like a JD 93xx would still be out working the fields at 10k hours, probably lots of Big Ag tractors out there with 16,000 hrs still working fine,
Plenty of examples both ways that are exceptions to these numbers, but that is my guess as a place to start.

Your first paragraph is likely the best response a person can give. At some point a machines value is no longer sufficient to warrant the burden of repair costs. Obviously, a person expects zero repair costs for a reasonable period of time after acquiring new equipment, only normal maintenance and upkeep. But eventually there is reasonable repair and part replacement. At some point, it becomes unreasonable and choices need to be made. Being that we all use and maintain our equipment differently, it's likely very difficult to predict that crossover point where the big decision will occur.

Your response is dead to rights, spot on.

 

[Creamer]

My nephews JD 4450 is used about every day - no hard pulling but a lot of chore type work. 1st engine overhaul at 22,500 hrs. It now has about 24,000 hrs. They put $28k into the engine and cab because they thought is was solid and it was good for another 10k+ hours and much cheaper than the new ones.

You should be able to get 8-10k hrs on any ag tractor prior to overhaul. Cuts are used differently with a lot more stops and starts so I would expect more like 5-6k hrs to first overhaul unless age gets them first.

 

[Agvg]

When your market are more or less hobbyist you don't design industrial quality parts, quite sure a lot of those small tractors have very low lifetime design life

 

[goeduck]

Well I guess I have a long ways to go. My tractors are at 500, 600, 1600 and 5600 hours.

 

[finn1]

Parts availability and work arounds for failed electronics and wiring harnesses will ultimately define the practical life of modern tractors.

Availability of proprietary mechanical parts will also be an issue.

I don’t think you can compare the life of a simple Ford 2n with that of a modern common rail, hst, a/c equipped cab tractor.

On the other hand, at my age it really doesn’t matter if my 2017 tractor is still running and productive in 80 years, does it?

 

[MESSMAKER]

Parts availability and work arounds for failed electronics and wiring harnesses will ultimately define the practical life of modern tractors.

Availability of proprietary mechanical parts will also be an issue.

I don’t think you can compare the life of a simple Ford 2n with that of a modern common rail, hst, a/c equipped cab tractor.

On the other hand, at my age it really doesn’t matter if my 2017 tractor is still running and productive in 80 years, does it?

Good point.

 

[Texasmark]

"What is a Tractors Lifespan?"............forever!!!! Just depends on how long you want to keep it.

Aftermarket parts are plentiful now thanks to things like the internet where one has an international parts store from which to select what he/she needs. Every day I marvel at what the internet has done for me personally.

I retired just about the time it got into full swing. Can't imagine how much easier my job would have been had I had it vs something like "The Thompson Register" to name one set of supplier listing manuals.

 

[digruprguy]

I don't know how it works in Canada but in the USA the IRS determines the number of years you can amortize a piece of equipment. My JD 110TLB cost around $51,000 new and I could write it off over 6 years using it for business.