Anyone else favor older tractors to newer ones?

[rScotty]

I have decided that I am through buying tractors any newer than Tier III emission standards. Too many stories from owners with later models and emission controls.

I can see how that makes sense, but for my own tractors things aren't quite so black and white.

New models do have some advantages as well as disadvantages. So I try to weigh one against the other.

One big factor in having a choice is being able to to do your own own mechanical work. Some of us even enjoying doing some mechanical work. Old tractors are way ahead in that arena.
As I see it, their older simpler design means more reliable as well as less expensive to buy and upkeep.

But I've got a buddy who wouldn't know which wrench to use to open a beer. For him, a warranty is really important. - where for others a warranty doesn't mean so much.

I'm guessing that most guys who like older machinery have a selection of tools and the knowledge to use them. That's a big advantage. Huge advantage.
rScotty

 

[Looking4new]

When I bought the 2012 Kioti CK 27 hst new was right after the Farmall C crapped out.
I wanted heat and a cab for winter snow blowing.
My only question now is whether or not I can modify the 'grass burner' exhaust to go straight up instead, preferably without a muffler.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I prefer newer tractors, but not the nightmares they are producing now...

There were some VERY good tractors built into the 90's that don't have ANY of the liberal nightmare pollution and wiring spagetti crap put on them lately... lol

SR

 

[atsah]

liberal nightmare pollution and wiring spagetti crap put on them lately... lol

SR

LOL...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just tell me this. You hardly ever see an older tractor without (sometimes all) the OEM wiring having been replaced. Usually with electrical tape and (works today but not a year from now) crimp connections. So how does that bode for the new machines with a thousand feet of wire, sensors and a mulitude of complex connectors?

 

[searcyfarms]

i have both and like both for various reasons, you have to pick your poison so to speak for the given need/situation 90% of the time i lean towards the weather/temps and what i need to do that determines which one i favor

 

[rScotty]

Just tell me this. You hardly ever see an older tractor without (sometimes all) the OEM wiring having been replaced. Usually with electrical tape and (works today but not a year from now) crimp connections. So how does that bode for the new machines with a thousand feet of wire, sensors and a mulitude of complex connectors?

It might bode well. As a mechanic I sometimes - not regularly, but sometimes - saw the same thing you mention on motocycles, old cars, boats, and tractors. It seems like the problem with the electrics on vintage equipment isn't the electrics so much as it being simple enough that people who shouldn't be in there often think that they can fix it. Then the first thing they do is bypass the switches and butcher the wiring harness --- which is crazy since switches are often the problem and easy to replace - the one thing they should leave alone is the harness.

At least the new stuff is complicated enough to keep the ones that don't understand it from even attempting it. And in fact, the incidence of electrical problems in machinery seems to be going down. Better components, better quality throughout.

I still prefer old machines, & fortunately electrical work comes easy to me. Sometimes I see nice old machines with crappy electrical work. That sure does more than anything else to reduce the value of used equipmemt.
On the plus side, homebrew wiring makes for an inexpensive way to get an otherwise nice old tractor.
rScotty

 

[Egon]

The newer wiring may have better quality insulation with components that have better construction and quality control.

( look at house wiring using 1950’s material and today’s material )

 

[searcyfarms]

Just tell me this. You hardly ever see an older tractor without (sometimes all) the OEM wiring having been replaced. Usually with electrical tape and (works today but not a year from now) crimp connections. So how does that bode for the new machines with a thousand feet of wire, sensors and a mulitude of complex connectors?

I DO NOT think this is true at all, I own several tractors, some very old. I have used probably close to 100 or more heck i cant remember from all the farmers i worked for growing up. In my lifetime also some that have spent their entire life outside and I have NEVER seen any of them with their OEM wiring replaced. I have had to fix a few connections here/there but replace an entire wiring harness NO. I have had a few mouse nibbles and cracks/rubs of the insulation that caused a quirk but that's it.

Maybe in your environment its different we have HOT heat in the summer and COLD/Snow in the winter but nothing cold like Canada maybe that's the difference? Its damp/humid corrosive here as well but still I do not experience what you are saying.

My newest a 2018 doesn't have wiring/connection issues yet ;-) my 84 5088 has a lot of sensors/wiring and it has not had any issues either, knock on wood. My 2006 skid steer is full of wires/sensors and no issues with it either. I had a 1996 skid steer before that and I had a fuel sending unit go bad, interlock switch wire that came loose and i ripped off a connector that got caught on a branch that penetrated the engine compartment so NO I am not seeing what you are seeing. Oh and I use my stuff as you can see by the hours also. I did add some lights to the 560 and I am fixing to add some to the 5088 and 706 - likely some LEDs

What are you seeing/experiencing all of these issues on?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been around electrical stuff and electronics pretty much my whole life. Troubleshooting stuff you didn't design is a very tedious process. Heck, I can't figure out stuff I designed some years down the road even with written explanations and schematics.

Every time I look at OEM schematics, I'm thinking, why does the wire go there? It's "supposed" to go to blah, blah!

Between bad grounds, schematics that are difficult to read, connectors that are difficult to make contact with, I think it's a nightmare. Cars are different, they are scrapped in fairly short order. HISTORICALLY tractors are not, but I think this has changed.