Do ACs usually work in JD 80s and 90s Ag/utlilty Tractors?

[SilverbackMP]

I just purchased 45 acres/35 tillable in North Central Missouri. I plan on putting 25-30 acres into an orchard--either chinese chestnuts or black walnut. I plan on planting a red clover/timothy base.
I want to maximize the green manure from the clover in an attempt to lessen my N fert requirements in the future; thus I don't think haying it would be in my best interest.

I'm thinking a 75-90 hp Ag/Utility tractor with a 12' or 15' batwing for mowing or better yet 15' worth of flails mounted on the back and sides (ala Tiger Flails).

I don't want to mortgage my soul so I'm thinking about a 15 or 20 year old Ag/Utility Tractor. John Deere is prominent in my area and the farmers in the extended family have always had John Deere. The only catch is that I require a Cab and working AC. If it were me mowing, I would be OK with a open platform but since I'm active duty military, my father will likely do a bulk of the mowing (paid by me; will give him something to do as he winds up his business).

His health is not the best so I will not put him out on a open station. Now to the point of my post. Do these older ultilty tractors generally have working AC systems and decent ergonomics within the Cab? Are the AC systems hard and/or expensive to upgrade to newler coolant systems if required? Thanks

PS I will probably end up with a smaller LTB (i.e 110) at somepoint as well so the larger tractor will be primarily for mowing, seeding, etc.

 

[RickB]

Your target is a 20-30 year old tractor. As such, it's anyone's guess what the condition of the AC is, or whether it has been converted to R-134A. Figure $1500 to resurrect a non-functional AC system if you hire it done at typical shop rates. Maybe a little more, hopefully less. The thing is, if most non-functional units could be fixed for cheap, the previous owner would have.

 

[jenkinsph]

I am in the AC business and can tell you RickB summed it up about right.


If you plan to be away for long or frequent intevals look hard at something like a 5093 cab tractor, should be able to buy new for less than $40,000. A gentleman in poor health would have a hard time dealing with maintenance on an old tractor and paying someone else to do this will likely cost you more than buying a new one.



Steve

 

[nmu98]

Once an a while I have to replace the hinges on our older tractors AC (windows)

None of our 20 plus year old tractors have working AC and these guys are 100% correct, its not cheap to fix them.

I don't know if its true, but I have heard of people putting 1,500 dollars into thier systems only to have them not work in 3 years....

 

[radman1]

RickB is correct. Really just a guess. We have a IH 1086 cab. 3700 hours and real good shape. Had it converted to 134A several years ago. I think it was near $1000 back then. Refrigerant seemed to leak out every year. Quit messing with it 3-4 years ago. To track down the leak could get expensive. It does not do a lot of hard work in the heat and we just open the windows and don't use it much in the summer. Most farmers are honest and will tell you if it works or if it was converted.
If you are going to use it a lot in the summer, A/C is probably a must in a cabbed tractor. Even with the windows open, all that glass and transmission heat will make the inside hotter than an open station tractor. Mowing with a batwing mower for lots of hours in the summer is painful with an open station tractor. The dirt, dust and noise will be excessive, IMHO. Been there and done that. Won't do that anymore.

By the way, there is a 2007 Case-IH Maxuum 115 (115 hp), in my area for sale by a dealer with an open station with ROPS and canopy. It is in great condition with MFWD, 1000 hours and 2 rear outlets. Has it for sale at $30,000. Can't get it sold for the past year. I think the price is great but no one wants an open station tractor.

 

[bc realtor]

only 200hours with ac 31000 2004 ANTONIO CARRARO AMERICA TRG9400 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

 

[Rara Avis]

only 200hours with ac 31000 2004 ANTONIO CARRARO AMERICA TRG9400 40 HP to 99 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

Do yourself a favor and skip this product line...

 

[mattman]

What does it mean to convert r-12 to r-134a?? Dump the 134 right in with the 12 and motor on. It does not cause any problems, you don't have to change anything other than the amount of 134 you put in the system compared to 12. I have never seen any system damage done by mixing the two freons

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

You can't run 134 unless you pull the system down and change the oil out to Pag oil. You can run r12 in a 134 system. Just not the other way. R134 is not compatible with mineral oil.

I know someone who has a big can of R-12 from the old days. Is it still worth anything?

 

[jenkinsph]

You can't run 134 unless you pull the system down and change the oil out to Pag oil. You can run r12 in a 134 system. Just not the other way. R134 is not compatible with mineral oil.

I know someone who has a big can of R-12 from the old days. Is it still worth anything?

Correct the oil in an R12 system is not compatible with R134a.

I would think for a classic car buff R12 would be a valuable commodity since it is hard to get. Last time I bought it the price was close to $25/lb.



Steve