Anyone else favor older tractors to newer ones?

[nwut05]

I would use my EA Deluxe Scrape Blade on My 1989 (30 yr. old) Ford with shuttle shift.
My scrape blade is new, but my tractor is old!

I would like to know this guys experience with this tractor......i have relatives with some older equipment that just has the 2 stick gear trans and i can change the gears much faster than that and even a two stick loader should work faster than this one......looks like maybe a cityfied, weekend warrior operator or someone not familiar with that machine.......No disrespect intended....

 

[Alan W.]

Went to Barlows the other day. He has a shortage of used tractors compared to what he had before the tier emissions started. Have noticed this at other dealerships also.
Talking to my Uncle today, he has quite a few tractors on both his places. Only problem child is his new New Holland. Dealer cant get the regen to work correctly.
I too prefer the non electronic non tiered tractors. Course Im not using one all day long every day either.

 

[aczlan]

I would like to know this guys experience with this tractor......i have relatives with some older equipment that just has the 2 stick gear trans and i can change the gears much faster than that and even a two stick loader should work faster than this one......looks like maybe a cityfied, weekend warrior operator or someone not familiar with that machine.......No disrespect intended....

I agree. The first "real tractor" I drove was a Massey Industrial 35 which had a shuttle shift and 2 handles for the loader.
I was much faster and smoother than that video.
Granted, I am faster and smoother with our B7500 with it's HST transmission and joystick bucket control, but I wasn't that slow with the old Massey.

Aaron Z

 

[Paystar]

I favor old tractors! While I prefer modern hydraulic loaders, I'm looking forward to completing the restoration of my 1955 Allis Chalmers CA. I love the way this tractor runs and drives. And the simplicity and reliability.

I know all the AC purists say it is a sin to convert it to three point hitch, but I have no AC pin or snap coupler implements, so I may set this up with a quick hitch so I can use my rear blades and box blade with it. Just so I can give it something to do other than tractor pulling at the local fairs.

 

[npalen]

I spent part of the day working my '86 White 2-65 tractor. It's a very used tractor from a friend's farm I purchased a few years ago. Lots of oil leaks, 1 brake pedal stiff, not much of the electrical works, bucket needs to be rebuilt, however I am looking forward to slowly sorting out the problems, and making it 100% functional. I also own a Kubota B9200 in nice shape.

I've thought about buying a new 35hp tractor to spoil myself, but can't justify it. I've never purchased anything new worth mentioning.

Part of the problem that discourages me is the more complex electronics and plastic construction..like hoods and fenders and what not. I will say a had the controller in my 15 year old Bobcat skidsteer fail, and that was a $1200 fix at the dealer .

I guess one thing that makes me feel this way is I'm a equipment tech for a living.

Just curious night there was anyone else out there like me.

I would recommend keeping that B9200 under lock and key. I have had one with hydrostat, FWA , FEL and power steering for several years and its like having a good friend.

 

[Mikefromcny]

I would recommend keeping that B9200 under lock and key. I have had one with hydrostat, FWA , FEL and power steering for several years and its like having a good friend.

I thought about selling it earlier this year, but yes, it's a great sized tractor. It's gear drive, but I don't mind it. Has power steering and a loader to boot. Showed my wife how to use it, she likes it too.

Here's a few pictures. Sold the backhoe on the b9200. Still have the bigger bobcat on the left.

 

[Zebrafive]

I spent in total less on these than the purchase price of a new 1 Series John Deere SCUT,,,

The red one is 40 years old,, I have owned it for 20 years,,

You could probably sell the red one for the price of one JD 1 series!

 

[rScotty]

Old tractors" UGH.... If all I'm doing is pulling a baler or hay wagons, fine, but if I want to do loader work in a tight area or in a timely fashion, I want newer equipment. The reason is the newer equipment are more user friendly. Switching directions is quicker, the hydro pumps are more efficient, controls and seating station is worker friendly, and visibility is better. Here is a video of a guy with a older tractor spreading gravel with a ratchet rake. Notice how painfully slow and clunky the movements are?

Old tractors" UGH.... If all I'm doing is pulling a baler or hay wagons, fine, but if I want to do loader work in a tight area or in a timely fashion, I want newer equipment. The reason is the newer equipment are more user friendly. Switching directions is quicker, the hydro pumps are more efficient, controls and seating station is worker friendly, and visibility is better. Here is a video of a guy with a older tractor spreading gravel with a ratchet rake. Notice how painfully slow and clunky the movements are?

Yes, his movements are painfully slow and clunky. The tractor looks like a decent machine, but he sure is making hard work out of an easy job. And it is partly because he is using the tractor in the wrong way. But it looks like that is mostly lack of experience. The good thing about lack of experience is that it is self-curing. Looks like he is trying hard to get it right, and that's admirable.

Eventually he will learn more tricks. He could start by putting some weight on the 3pt so the tractor is balanced and doesn't bounce so much. And take off those chains when smoothing a driveway, you won't need the chains when you have some weight on the 3pt. anyway. It only takes a little more time to do it right .... BTW, spreading crushed gravel is only half the job. It is best to compact it while spreading because the "crusher fines" are still distributed within the gravel. He can do that, but the way he is going about it will take twice as long.

Maybe he can take a moment to adjust the clutch so it isn't so grabby. And for goodness sakes, take that weird ratchet rake off the front of the loader. Those teeth are for digging, not spreading, and that angled down edge isn't helping either. With that rake on, he can't use use the smooth edge of the bucket to back-drag the gravel into positon in the time-honored way. Backdragging is how most everyone spreads dirt and gravel because backdragging a heavy bucket with some downforce & the edge just slightly angled down gives a more even spread while simultaneously compacting and smoothing the surface. Works quickly & well with road base and crushed gravel. Plus it is easier to work right up to the edge of the grass without making a mess.

Of course saying all this to TBNers is sorta like preaching to the choir. Most here already know how to use their tractors....we just like to compare them. But it's good to see a video like that one to remind us that nobody is born knowing how to tractor. It does take some doing.

 

[fried1765]

I would like to know this guys experience with this tractor......i have relatives with some older equipment that just has the 2 stick gear trans and i can change the gears much faster than that and even a two stick loader should work faster than this one......looks like maybe a cityfied, weekend warrior operator or someone not familiar with that machine.......No disrespect intended....

Mistake?
Why did you quote my response to the OP?
I am NOT the OP!

That is not me on the picture offered by the OP.
My shuttle shift Ford 1920 with EA Deluxe Scrape Blade would make short work of that spreading job.
I also do have a ratchet rake, but have never even used it.

 

[rangerfredbob]

That guy on the Ford 4000 is just taking his time and from the looks of it unfamiliar... the 4000 is most likely a 4 speed manual with high/low unless it's that manual thing they did that isn't very favored... My brother has a 4000 and it's a nice workhorse, 201 cubic inch 3 cylinder 50hp diesel, simple and gets the job done... to keep things alike around the farm he got a 4600 and a 8600 as well, one's newer and the other twice the cylinders...

Myself, I was on a budget when I got my tractor, so it's a ~'74 vintage Kubota, it's simple and does what I need for the most part. Eventually it'll need the engine rebuilt or at least roll new bearings in it since the oil pressure is a bit low... I despise payments since I'd forget to make them and just don't wanna...