New vs. Old

[richriddle]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[kenmac]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Jtullis13]

I am all about buying an older tractor that has less electrical components. Just the shear simplicity for the ease to work on makes it worth while and there are a lot of folks out there that have them that would be willing to help you troubleshoot issues if you were to have an issue. Plus older models seem to hold their value better if you were to sell later on down the road.

 

[Milton55]

What is 'older' these days though?? Pre diesel exhaust fluid

 

[bmaverick]

What is 'older' these days though?? Pre diesel exhaust fluid

Yes and no stinking computers !

I would concur with most folks here on the new vs. old. I had a worn and beaten JD 850 with a so-called rebuilt engine. It didn't last due to the diesel guy being clueless on Yanmars. Needless to say, I looked for a replacement engine and found Fredricks just 2-1/2 hours down the road. Totally RESTORED to 'like' new condition with all of the US safety features on the machine. Price was better than putting a rebuilt engine in the old JD 850.

I would say, a restored Yanmar YM series from a UTDA dealer fit my ticket.

Sure, as I get older, I may look at one of those Yanmar newer machines that have a good reputation. Can not afford a JD new or used. Thus, I have the next best thing, a Yanmar!

 

[Jtullis13]

Yes and no stinking computers !

I would concur with most folks here on the new vs. old. I had a worn and beaten JD 850 with a so-called rebuilt engine. It didn't last due to the diesel guy being clueless on Yanmars. Needless to say, I looked for a replacement engine and found Fredricks just 2-1/2 hours down the road. Totally RESTORED to 'like' new condition with all of the US safety features on the machine. Price was better than putting a rebuilt engine in the old JD 850.

I would say, a restored Yanmar YM series from a UTDA dealer fit my ticket.

Sure, as I get older, I may look at one of those Yanmar newer machines that have a good reputation. Can not afford a JD new or used. Thus, I have the next best thing, a Yanmar!

You took the words out of my mouth! I should have mentioned the no computer thing too!! And yes pre- DEF too Milton. I agree with bmaverick I can't afford a new one to begin with, but at the same time if I could I probably still wouldn't buy one for the same reasons I already mention.

 

[CoyPatton]

While I personally own a early 80’s model yanmar ym2002d, and it meets my needs well, old used was what I choose to buy for each tractor I have owned.
All that said for me those were I still believe the correct choice and would be for lots of people, but if I was using the tractor to make living (not supplement a living but for main source of income) and my business would support the cost, then I would buy new or at least newer from a reliable dealer in my area. You get dealer support for repairs/breakdowns as well as tax benefits.
And before you criticize that view, go look at what vehicle sits in your garage/driveway. If it could be considered newer, that is the decision you have made to support your living. Same principles apply! (Newer=if it is new enough to to have computer controlled functions that basically means it is less than 25 years old!)

 

[Jtullis13]

Coy I love your response! You might laugh at me but you are somewhat correct, however situation is somewhat similar. Work full time and use older tractor to supplement, now for my vehicles, they are all diesel. I have 3 VW diesels from 2002, yes somewhat newer but pre-emission. My truck is a 1993 dodge Cummins, also pre-emission so working on my vehicles is like working on my tractors, simple, and I wouldn't do it any other way, unless I had unlimited financial resources, then maybe

 

[CoyPatton]

Coy I love your response! You might laugh at me but you are somewhat correct, however situation is somewhat similar. Work full time and use older tractor to supplement, now for my vehicles, they are all diesel. I have 3 VW diesels from 2002, yes somewhat newer but pre-emission. My truck is a 1993 dodge Cummins, also pre-emission so working on my vehicles is like working on my tractors, simple, and I wouldn't do it any other way, unless I had unlimited financial resources, then maybe

 

[CoyPatton]

Coy I love your response! You might laugh at me but you are somewhat correct, however situation is somewhat similar. Work full time and use older tractor to supplement, now for my vehicles, they are all diesel. I have 3 VW diesels from 2002, yes somewhat newer but pre-emission. My truck is a 1993 dodge Cummins, also pre-emission so working on my vehicles is like working on my tractors, simple, and I wouldn't do it any other way, unless I had unlimited financial resources, then maybe

You take me back with the VW diesels. I had a believe an 82 VW diesel ‘pickup’. Front half a rabbit rear sorta a pickup bed. Front wheel drive, 2 seater, no turbo, all torque on the low end, 4 speed manual. But all pretty basic to work on. I have wished over the years since I had kept that one. 40+ mpg even in city driving.

 

[Hay Dude]

You take me back with the VW diesels. I had a believe an 82 VW diesel ‘pickup’. Front half a rabbit rear sorta a pickup bed. Front wheel drive, 2 seater, no turbo, all torque on the low end, 4 speed manual. But all pretty basic to work on. I have wished over the years since I had kept that one. 40+ mpg even in city driving.

Many years ago, in the mid 80’s, I worked for a farmer and he had a Toyota diesel pickup. It was maybe 80HP and when I first drove it, I hated it. Then as time went by, I appreciated the thing would run like a month on a tank of diesel :laughing:
Then I began to actually like it. You could FLOG the poor thing and it wouldn’t care. Now I don’t mean beat it (well maybe a little :laughing: ) but you could drive it hard and it didn’t care. 0-60 in about a 1/2 hour...