New Tractors Versus Old Tractors--Who has the most fun?

[California]

I have over 30 small engines to maintain and one thing for sure, I'm glad I finally got rid of all my points. Ask your teenager what Top Dead Center means and see if you get any recognition...a dying art for sure.

Amen to that, modern simplicity is sometimes a big improvement. Also, matching a modern efficient tool to the job instead of continuing with old tools just because that's what you always used.

I finally figured out my Ryobi cordless chainsaw with Li-Ion batteries is sufficient to hack up fallen apple trees in the orchard, because if the tree fell over or shed a major limb then I only need to cut rotten punky wood to get the debris down to mangeable size. No more 2-cycle fuel to maintain! I got rid of the gas chainsaw 5 years ago, haven't missed it.

Here's a post with photo where I'm clearing a fallen Eucalyptus tree a few months ago. That wood is like iron, it worked the little cordless saw pretty hard until I installed a new chain. But I don't expect to cut tough material like that more often than every few years.

With the adoption of Li-Ion batteries, a cordless chainsaw has replaced one with carburetor, points (?), spark plug and its cable, and 2-cycle fuel that ages quickly and seems to get everywhere while you use or transport it. Spare batteries are easier to carry along, and re-fuel, than a gas can. Life is better.

Sometimes progress is worth getting on board with.

 

[CADplans]

I have had my tractor 20 years...

it was over 15 years old when I got it,,,

the problem with a tractor this old,,, is you got to replace the tires,,,

Does anyone know where the drain for the Tier 4 filter is?? :confused2:

 

[ovrszd]

Love that tractor!!!!

 

[CADplans]

Love that tractor!!!!

I was just thinking about the tractors history,,,
I think I have spent more money changing hydraulic/engine oil and antifreeze than the most owners of newer tractors have spent on diesel fuel!! :laughing:

Other than the tires,, the tractor has been flawless for twenty years.
When I first got it,, the PO had installed an aftermarket solenoid,,, I did have to replace it the first month.
I lucked out,,, and found a Bosch replacement (made in Germany),
the parts guy thought I was crazy for spending over $100 for it,, rather than the $30 aftermarket,,,,
It has been perfect.
The starter draws a LOT of amps to start,, it has enormous battery cables.
The starter is very unique,,, I believe it can be wired for 24 volt starting,,
there are extra posts on the solenoid,, that have jumper bus bars.

I thought the steering cylinder was weeping,,,
it turned out the hydraulic hose fitting came loose,, two minutes with a wrench fixed that.

The tractor has,, among other normal uses,,, built over a half mile of road through the woods behind the house.

My nephew thought he was going to improve my efforts with his 953C CAT,,, in a day.
That day did almost nothing,,, he did not know I had spent a month building the road.

All of the neighbors know when something big need moved, they can call me,
I enjoy seeing what the tractor can do.

The tractor is VERY capable,,, :thumbsup:

 

[California]

Does anyone know where the drain for the Tier 4 filter is??

What's a tier?

 

[murphy1244]

Love that tractor!!!!

That is one good looking brute of a machine!:thumbsup:

 

[4570Man]

Amen to that, modern simplicity is sometimes a big improvement. Also, matching a modern efficient tool to the job instead of continuing with old tools just because that's what you always used. I finally figured out my Ryobi cordless chainsaw with Li-Ion batteries is sufficient to hack up fallen apple trees in the orchard, because if the tree fell over or shed a major limb then I only need to cut rotten punky wood to get the debris down to mangeable size. No more 2-cycle fuel to maintain! I got rid of the gas chainsaw 5 years ago, haven't missed it. Here's a post with photo where I'm clearing a fallen Eucalyptus tree a few months ago. That wood is like iron, it worked the little cordless saw pretty hard until I installed a new chain. But I don't expect to cut tough material like that more often than every few years. With the adoption of Li-Ion batteries, a cordless chainsaw has replaced one with carburetor, points (?), spark plug and its cable, and 2-cycle fuel that ages quickly and seems to get everywhere while you use or transport it. Spare batteries are easier to carry along, and re-fuel, than a gas can. Life is better. Sometimes progress is worth getting on board with.

Battery tools aren't for everyone. I'm a big fan of my cordless hand held tools, but not the bigger stuff. My buddy has a cordless shopvac, chainsaw, and leaf blower. The shopvac just doesn't move enough air to be useful. The chainsaw works well enough for cutting up fallen limbs, but that's about it. My cordless sawzall works nearly as well for a lot less money. The leaf blower is poorly balanced, heavy, expensive, and doesn't move much air. I like a backpack blower a lot better. I can't stand hand held gas blowers either.

 

[stuckmotor]

1987 is a new tractor! I just went from a '48 8N Ford to an '80 Yanmar. Live PTO and 3 point hitch, I'm moving up in class...

I was thinking old meant tractors made when only Fergies and Fords had a 3pt hitch.

 

[lennyzx11]

I have a 2015 Kubota 3301 that I enjoy tinkering with for accessories and working with clearing land and moving rocks.
That said, I managed to drag in a Ford 2n that I'm slowly bringing back to life to work with not as a restored piece and it's nice that everything was so simple in 47.
Air tools and penetrating oil goes a long way in old tractor repairs and servicing.

 

[CADplans]

I have a 2015 Kubota 3301 that I enjoy tinkering with for accessories and working with clearing land and moving rocks.
That said, I managed to drag in a Ford 2n that I'm slowly bringing back to life to work with not as a restored piece and it's nice that everything was so simple in 47.
Air tools and penetrating oil goes a long way in old tractor repairs and servicing.

If I owned that Kubota,,, and the 2N,,,
the very next thing I would use the Kubota for would be to push the 2N onto the scrapmans truck.
I like old tractors, but, live hydraulic flow is now a minimum standard for me,,,
I have one tractor without a live PTO,,, when I find a replacement,,, that one will be G O N E !!

That Kubota is the perfect size tractor,,, IMHO :thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

No tractor should go to the scrap iron pile. Someone wants/needs parts of it.

 

[Oaktree]

I finally figured out my Ryobi cordless chainsaw with Li-Ion batteries is sufficient to hack up fallen apple trees in the orchard, because if the tree fell over or shed a major limb then I only need to cut rotten punky wood to get the debris down to mangeable size. No more 2-cycle fuel to maintain! I got rid of the gas chainsaw 5 years ago, haven't missed it.

I didn't know they made one. I had been thinking of getting a small, lightweight gas one for those quickie jobs but this sounds like a better deal.
I like the fact that Ryobi batteries are interchangeable between new and older style equipment. One charger, one type battery...sure does cut down on shop clutter.

 

[lennyzx11]

If I owned that Kubota,,, and the 2N,,,
the very next thing I would use the Kubota for would be to push the 2N onto the scrapmans truck.
I like old tractors, but, live hydraulic flow is now a minimum standard for me,,,
I have one tractor without a live PTO,,, when I find a replacement,,, that one will be G O N E !!

That Kubota is the perfect size tractor,,, IMHO :thumbsup:

Me too. I'm working out the details of live hydraulics. I already installed an overrunning clutch on the PTO. My long term is get it running (it does) and working with a 20 ft paint job and use it to step up to the next level but staying with small tractors. I do like old iron though so no scrapping here.

I live on a hill so a Trycycle won't be up here ever. And prob not a green tractor but the sound of a hit n miss sure is nice.

Eventually maybe run across a MF 35 someday.

 

[ovrszd]

Me too. I'm working out the details of live hydraulics. I already installed an overrunning clutch on the PTO. My long term is get it running (it does) and working with a 20 ft paint job and use it to step up to the next level but staying with small tractors. I do like old iron though so no scrapping here.

I live on a hill so a Trycycle won't be up here ever. And prob not a green tractor but the sound of a hit n miss sure is nice.

Eventually maybe run across a MF 35 someday.

Thank you!!!.

If you can find them, a 135 or 235 are much better equipped tractors and comparatively they don't command that much more money. Post some pics when you get the little Ford all dressed up for market!!!!

 

[gwstang]

I rebuilt the '52 8N last year and it has at least double the HP it use to have. It was worn slap out. I use it with the 5' finishing mower. I like running the Kubota but....there is something about bringing old iron back to life. It still has a sweet sound for me.

 

[murphy1244]

I like the old Masseys. I am slooowly working on one when my hands aren't hurting.

 

[ovrszd]

She might not be a Queen yet Murph, but she's definitely a Princess!!!!!! Straight ole tractor!!!!

 

[SteveM70]

I didn't know they made one. I had been thinking of getting a small, lightweight gas one for those quickie jobs but this sounds like a better deal.
I like the fact that Ryobi batteries are interchangeable between new and older style equipment. One charger, one type battery...sure does cut down on shop clutter.

They also make a hydraulic chainsaw but I think they're expensive and the hoses are aggravating but it is lightweight and powerful.

I have had zero luck with Ryobi batteries. I just threw away a five piece Ryobi set because I got tired of constantly buying batteries for it.

 

[California]

I have had zero luck with Ryobi batteries.

Nicad or Li-Ion? I agree the Nicads become useless after a short while.

I added a tool that came with a Li-Ion battery and its charger and the improvement is night/day. I now have 5 Li-Ion batteries and two chargers for them. These new batteries fit my old Ryobi tools so I use them exclusively and got rid of the old Nicads with their charger.

The Li-Ion batteries are priced reasonably if you buy them in a combo kit with a tool you need.


Link: a post I made with a photo of the Ryobi new-series impact driver in use:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/346665-ryobi-battery-tools.html#post4267841

 

[motownbrowne]

I've heard a guy with a tree service say that his crew fights over his new Husqvarna battery operated saws. I don't know the details of what he's got other than that it's high voltage, like 40 or more, lightweight, built fit commercial use, and not cheaper than a light gas model. They are almost silent, not stinky, won't dump gasoline on you, and don't have a rope to yank.

For me it could never replace a gas saw, but I'd love to own one. Of course, it's a chainsaw, so that right there is a good enough reason for me to want one.