Egon said:
Egon.. I'm not sure why you are so down on old machines.
no one is saying they are the be-all.. get all.. it's just.. things were made to last back then.
Machines like the old N's have lasted 50-60-70 ys.... and yes.. are now worn out and ready for rubber, clutches, and a crank grind.. etc.
I really don't expect to see any vintage 70 year old jinmas or bransons.. or heck.. most name brand fiberglass and electronc encrusted machines setting out in pastures in the numbers that you see old fords and other old hi-production number machines ( lotsa old AC, MF, and IH's out their earning tehir keep as well ).
Fords can have cam bushings installed.. and cranks can be polished, and non oem sized bearings can be installed. Rubber is rubber.. don't matter new or old.. it's always a wear item.. so that's a moot point when compairing tractor life.. rubber will wear base don't he soil and hours it works.. Clutches wear on new tractors just like old tractors.. that's also a moot point.. I've seen new tractors with 10 hours on them need a clutch.. some from abuse / misuse.. some for bad materials or mechanical defects ( disc disintegration.. and hubs being ripped out.. )
My point is.. you can take a 3500$ old tractor.. dump in another 1000$ into it.. and then tool around and do the work that a 12000$ tractor does.. And it will still probably outlast the 12000$ tractor! might not have the bells, whistles and gongs... but it works. In some cases.. the bells and whistles don't even mean much..
My 33 year old ford 5000 operates identically to my 6yr old Nh 7610s. I've pulled a 10' mower with each.. the dash is the same.. throttle, break, clutch, pto controls are the same...etc..... sheet metal is darn near the same.. Hyds on the 7610s are just a bit faster than the 5000.. biggest difference is electrical system. 7610s has an alternator and electric tach, and an electric fuel charge pump, and a fuel cutoff solenoid. 5000 has a dc generator and mechanical tach.
I've had a fuse pop on the 7610s that put me on the side of the road till I could get it replaced... A fuse blowing on the 5000 don't mean much.. it only has 2.. one for the dash gauges and indicator lamps ( not the tach ) and one for the headlamps...
new does not always = better.
soundguy