Renze said:Old tractors all had a riveted frame, to hang a marine diesel to, and some shafts and chain sprockets.. Henry Ford and Harry Ferguson took the approach of integrating the engine into the frame, to make them stiffer and build cheaper.
The major disadvantage is that you need an engine, specifically designed as a tractor engine (to be able to be of structural support to the tractor) because an automotive engine doesnt have the reinforcements.
A tractor engine is often too heavy for on-road use. That was the concession that Case had to make when they chose to co-develope their new engine line with Cummins, back in 1981. Because an engine designed to be used as a tractor frame part, would be too heavy and uneconomical to fit a Dodge truck, they went with a light industrial style engine block, which meant that Case had to use a front frame.
On the other hand, when the frame structure is integrated into the engine, the engine is generally stiffer and would deform less during operation.
The only advantage i see in the JD frames, is that its easier to mount a side arm ditch mower, front loader or front 3pt hitch. Because the frame rails are at a wider spacing, they provide more lateral strength than bare engine and gearbox castings, which will need an additional subframe with rear axlebars.
Old fergies came in 2 varieties: Those with, and those without front frame. I think it had to do with it having the Standard, or the Perkins engine.
Yes, I've seen plenty of tractors that have the front frame. Both the Belarus and the old Inter I had, had the frame on the front. That is something I forgot to mention that the full frame provides an attachment point. I have the Case that has the additional frame that goes back to the rear added with the loader. As you often need the extra weight with a smaller tractor anyway, this isn't a big issue for me. I will maybe consider either a JXU80 or a JD 5020 series full-frame tractor made in germany as my next tractor purchase, but I don't think the full-frame will be the deciding factor. CNH seem to be sticking with Cummins still - seems a few of their Iveco engines are actually cummins design - I wonder if when Iveco makes them if they are strengthening the engine block. I noticed though my neighbours CVX had Sisu Diesel stamped on the engine.