New vs. Old

richriddle · May 13, 2020

In the endeavor for looking at tractors, someone asked why not get a new or "newer" model of tractor with all the bells and whistles like a Grand L Kubota in the 40-50 HP range. Athough they seem tempting, after watching some videos those don't look like the kind of tractors one repairs himself. Are the newer varieties of tractors a better class or simply more headaches? If a newer model is in order, with Yanmar's history in the US market, it seems risky to select them instead of Kubota.

HoyeTractor · May 13, 2020

I was shopping for a bigger tractor a couple years ago. I needed something bigger than the YM Yanmars. I ended up with a new Kubota because we have a really good local dealer that has been here forever. I'm depending on that dealer being there for as long as I own the tractor. I'm pretty mechanical and I bought a really base model but there is no way I'm going to be able to fix much on that thing. If it has a problem it is going to the dealer to get fixed. I'm going to cry when I get the bill but I knew that going in. It is WAY more complicated than any YM Yanmar and there is WAY more to potentially go wrong. A regular person could pull a cylinder head on a YM Yanmar in about an hour in their garage. I think it would take me a weekend just to get to where I could touch the head bolts on my Kubota

. If you have a cab model - forget about it. I think there was a post on the Kubota forum where it was something close to 5 figures just in labor to pull the cab and open up the transmission. If there was an emissions problem you have basically no choice but to take it to the dealer. Computer problems - same thing. The new machines are sure comfortable but that comes at a huge cost of durability, serviceability, and longevity. I don't see any way my new Kubota will still be going in 40-50 years (I probably wont either though so who cares

.

3gunr · May 13, 2020

It really depends on what you want the tractor for. I have both old and new tractors and i spend a lot of hours on them in a yrs time. If you dont have a lot of spare time and need to get things done. Then go new, THere is no comparison between the two. Yes older tractors work very well for many ag related jobs, but most of us are hobby farmers or small land owners and need things to get done without having to repair things constantly.

richriddle · May 13, 2020

Well it sounds like I am waiting for a YM3810D or YM4220D........it might take a couple of years, but that's fine........

kenmac · May 25, 2020

I'm late to the game, but I sold my yanmar a couple yrs ago because the older I got, the harder it was to get on and off.
I too bought a kubota, but I bought a 2013 mod without all the emissions problems that some have

Milton55 · May 27, 2020

Its funny I came across this thread. I was out on my 330d tonight and was pondering what the next tractor would be. I agree with all the points above. Since I am not getting any younger I guess its a Kubota.

Hay Dude · May 27, 2020

3gunr said:
It really depends on what you want the tractor for. I have both old and new tractors and i spend a lot of hours on them in a yrs time. If you dont have a lot of spare time and need to get things done. Then go new, THere is no comparison between the two. Yes older tractors work very well for many ag related jobs, but most of us are hobby farmers or small land owners and need things to get done without having to repair things constantly .

There’s a lot of us bigger farmers who feel that way, too. :laughing:

careyo63 · May 28, 2020

Every scenario mentioned on this thread I've had to deal with. Old versus new and repair options. The Kubota just came up and agree with Aaron. I thought of this thread just the other day cutting grass. The Ym2000 is as basic as it gets. 12yrs. I've owned it 1 time it went down for a couple days. Had to that time get the starter rebuilt. I was already in it and the repair shop mentioned it. I could have Rolled it off if I had to. New JD. 55Hp. I used weekly then and sure was glad I wasn't the one who's pocket the $ was paying for the Maint.......
Found this old pick of what the 2000 looked like when I purchased it and you can see why I left Spalding a Chk. until I could get back to pick it up. Getting real close to rolling the tac. 015 I believe was on it.

fatjay · May 28, 2020

If you use it to make your living, I'd spring for something newer. If it's a toy/hobby/get the jobs done around the house, I go old. Most of my machines are 50+ years old, see regular use, and with proper maitnenance almost never break down. In 10 years with 10 tractors, my bobcat is the first one to have a major issue that held me up for more than an hour.

dieselcrawler · May 29, 2020

My next tractor will be old enough to repair myself. My JD 3005 is basic enough I think I could work around any electrical issues that may arise if needed, and it's so basic mechanically, I doubt much will go wrong that I won't cause from heavy (ab)use...

Dad's ol MF135 diesel is still kicking, my father in law has 3 mid-70's Massey's, all earn their keep on the farm or in the hay field... and he can keep them running with little more than a hammer and a butter knife! He claims to have over 10k hours on an MF165.