Are new tractors as goods as old ones?

[Duffster]

All things equal, I'd expect my 38 year old Massey to still be plugging away in another 38 years and the 2 new Deere 6430's I just recently took delivery on will be parked in a fencerow in 25 years. Once major components start failing, they'll just be too impractical to put back on line. (read; TOO EXPENSIVE) HArd to say.....Check back with me in 2034 and I'll give you a better answer.

I hope you won't be parking them 6430's

Taken care of properly those will be worth as much then as now

We have been running a 7210 for about 13 years with no issues yet and now a 7220 and a 7420

 

[Builder]

Park one at my place.

 

[Soundguy]

Taken care of properly those will be worth as much then as now

That's his exact point... to properly maintain them long term may be possibly.. but may become prohibitally expensive.

We have been running a 7210 for about 13 years with no issues yet and now a 7220 and a 7420

13ys is a young'n in tractor years.. double or tripple that and then post back.

soundguy

 

[Duffster]

That's his exact point... to properly maintain them long term may be possibly.. but may become prohibitally expensive.






13ys is a young'n in tractor years.. double or tripple that and then post back.

soundguy

My point was that 13 years is half the 25 years that FwJ mentioned and was similar tractors

Trust me 6430's won't be parked in 25 years

 

[wolc123]

For me the old/new thing comes down to one thing, 4wd and the lack of it on most "old" tractors. If you dont need to do any tillage where you could capitilize greatly on the 20% or so fuel economy improvement of 4wd, or operate in muddy conditions or snow, or do much front loader work, then I believe old is the best way to go. I personaly use (3) old tractors on my farm for most all work that does not involve tillage, mud, snow, or loader. I must deal with those situations however, and after I have used a modern 4wd, I would never again consider not having one. My spring plowing is done a month earlier on average since getting a 4wd (4) years ago, and I have not got it stuck while that happened several times a year when I only had 2wd. Incredible improvement in snowplow and loader operation.

 

[Soundguy]

In god i trust.. all others I want proof..

I've seen new tractors parked in half an hour.. just let a rent-a-laborer run them.

age and time is a great monument / testament...

when you see tractors that are 40 ys old out doing the same work they have always done.. you know those were good models... everything else is up in the air...

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

For me the old/new thing comes down to one thing, 4wd and the lack of it on most "old" tractors. If you dont need to do any tillage where you could capitilize greatly on the 20% or so fuel economy improvement of 4wd, or operate in muddy conditions or snow, or do much front loader work, then I believe old is the best way to go. I personaly use (3) old tractors on my farm for most all work that does not involve tillage, mud, snow, or loader. I must deal with those situations however, and after I have used a modern 4wd, I would never again consider not having one. My spring plowing is done a month earlier on average since getting a 4wd (4) years ago, and I have not got it stuck while that happened several times a year when I only had 2wd. Incredible improvement in snowplow and loader operation.

That's a matter of application.. using the right tool for the job.. or the better tool for the job.

I don't think anyone here disagrees with that.

however.. in the 80's... 4wd tractors were becoming common.. even inthe big iron models.. still possible to find great deals on cheap hp with 4wd..e tc... not 'classic' or 'antique'.. but cheap is cheap.. etc.

heck.. even more modern units that are base don older designs can be cheap and usefull.

our county used to mow with 4wd 7610s models and then sold them after about 4-5k hours... many went cheap.. like 6000$... with that size of a machine.. and good maint.. they could still have 50% of their life left... that's pennies ont he dolalr vs new cost of? 30k$ probably..

soundguy

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

For me the old/new thing comes down to one thing, 4wd and the lack of it on most "old" tractors. If you dont need to do any tillage where you could capitilize greatly on the 20% or so fuel economy improvement of 4wd, or operate in muddy conditions or snow, or do much front loader work, then I believe old is the best way to go. I personaly use (3) old tractors on my farm for most all work that does not involve tillage, mud, snow, or loader. I must deal with those situations however, and after I have used a modern 4wd, I would never again consider not having one. My spring plowing is done a month earlier on average since getting a 4wd (4) years ago, and I have not got it stuck while that happened several times a year when I only had 2wd. Incredible improvement in snowplow and loader operation.

I agree front wheel assist being an advantage for the loader work, but I have no problem tilling with my 2 wheel drive 35 year old 4430, 2 wheel drive 34 year old 1466 either. We used a Ford 4000 loader 2 wheel drive with a industrial loader to clean feed lots and didn't have problems getting stuck. Weighted properly with differential lock and down pressure on loader you would be amazed at what you can go thru and get out of. Those old tractors are tough.

Here is a pic a few years back of my 1466 and father-in -laws 766. Both are still working today.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My dad is retired and we don't farm anymore but we still have a stable of good running old iron. 2 D-17's, an 8050, and 180 represent Allis-Chalmers while the 860 is of Ford fame. I doubt very seriously that the "new iron" currently offered for sale now will have the longevity as these legendary icons. OOPS, forgot about the cub low boy.

My little old 1720 is the first 4 wheel assist we ever had here on the farm. We used a FEL on the 860 to move round bales after we quit putting up squares. 4 wheel assist would have been nice but that little 860 did a great job. Dad kept the NH square baier to help out the neighbors put up around 700 squares or so a year. Funny how he got a round baler after I left for college. lol

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I hope you won't be parking them 6430's

Taken care of properly those will be worth as much then as now

We have been running a 7210 for about 13 years with no issues yet and now a 7220 and a 7420

A question.....Do you log 2500 to 3000 hours per year on your tractors? We do. (Commercial mowing contractor, mowing highway right-of-ways) It would be completely ridiculous to expect 25 years, even 13 years at that rate of usage. The 2-1/2 year old 6430 isn't worth much more than 1/2 what it was 2-1/2 years ago........