Newbie spends quality time on OLD tractor.(long)

[N80]

Yep, the barn is just to the right of the tractor about 10 yards. That picture was taken last fall/winter and the attempt to crank it was unsuccessful. I think the starter was shot. Apparently you can still get parts for these old machines because it was running fine last weekend.....until the clutch went out!

I kid my B-I-L all the time. If he tells you that a tractor (jeep, truck, car, implement, etc) is running just fine, that really means that you can get it going in less than 8 hours.

We have started many a farm endeavor that ended up as a day in his shop.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin George,
Nice pic thanks for posting, that is indeed some serious mowing, but at least you have the right mower for the job !

 

[lhfarm]

I see you have a Jeep too. I don't have any great stories about the jeeps but the two he has running get used every single day. He even uses them to round up and move the cows. I've driven them a lot for that as well since I don't ride horses (much) which he usually uses. They are fun to drive in his hilly pastures (remember the opening scene of Rat Patrol?) He has a homemade thing that fits into a box hitch receiver that allows him to haul a sick or neglected calf off the back so that the mother can see and smell it and follow along until he gets it to the barn lot.

Driving the one with no brakes takes a bit of planning ahead! You have to look for a little hill of patch of real deep grass...or just start coasting way ahead of where you need to stop.

I use my '47 jeep as much as I use my tractor. You say the "two he has running" - he has more?! Have him visit our Web site Farm Jeep and look at the section on rebuilding brakes "Ole Blue" Project: Part 6 – Hour by Hour, Nut by Nut. With the right tools it is an easy project.

If you have pictures of the calf hauler, we would be happy to post them on our site as a farm jeep in action.

Thanks,

 

[Offy]

I enjoy my old 9N probably more than my new compact. It has no rops, radio or suspended suspension seat but I have enjoyed many hours totin' a bush hog and mowing. The ol' tractor ain't purty but its fairly tight and runs as smooth as silk (for a 4 cylinder). It also has plenty of hours crusin' the woods runnin' "bob-tail" in the late afternoons and evenings.

 

[Soundguy]

As with everything in life.. that's a subjective statement.

The plastic and fiberglass throw away tractors being sold under many brands these days don't hold a candle to some of the 60's and 70's era 'brutes' that are still earning thir keep today.

In many cases.. 2-4000$ worth of refurbishment returns even some of the older Utility sized tractors to near new 'mechanical' condition... That's pretty awesome when yuo consider some of these tractors are 30-40 ys old.. and can work just like they day they rolled off the factory floor...

I'd like to see some of the economy brands do that in 40 ys... get a rebuild.. from parts still stocked on shelf, and be ready for another 30-40 ys of work.. I honestly don't see it hapening.. even with many of the name brand tractors.

Too much plastic.. too much fiberglass.. too much electronics, and less and less iron . manufacturers used to over-engineer parts to make them last.. now they test them to see how little they can get away with and not have it explode before the warranty period is up...

-No thanks-

My quite spartan economy FNH 7610s has quite too many electronics on it for my taste. Fortunately the basic design of all of the 'must-have' parts of the tractor are essentially unchanged from 1965... with very limited exception..

Soundguy

The saying about they don't make them like they used to doesn't apply to tractors. They make them allot better then they used too!!!!Eddie

 

[N80]

You say the "two he has running" - he has more?!

I wasn't kidding when I said more than I can count. Dozens in all states of disrepair.

He has restored several of them to authentic military spec, but for other people. He has one (I think) that is half restored. He has a 'long bed' version (used as an ambulance in WWII) in his shop but it belongs to a friend.

Have him visit our Web site Farm Jeep and look at the section on rebuilding brakes "Ole Blue" Project: Part 6 – Hour by Hour, Nut by Nut. With the right tools it is an easy project.

Neat site. I'll definitely show it to him. He has 'dial up' so he'll probably want to see it when he's at my house.

If you have pictures of the calf hauler, we would be happy to post them on our site as a farm jeep in action.

I think I do have a picture of it. His daughter is driving, cow following. I think my daughter is in the back seat.

 

[JoeinTX]

"In many cases.. 2-4000$ worth of refurbishment returns even some of the older Utility sized tractors to near new 'mechanical' condition... That's pretty awesome when yuo consider some of these tractors are 30-40 ys old.. and can work just like they day they rolled off the factory floor... "


This is very true of so many of the old tractors we still see today. I think particularly of the small Ford and MF tractors that have been around now for nearly 70 years and still so many are, with routine attention and an overhaul, running like new again. My little 8N was bought in a state of mechanical disrepair but great physical condition and after a couple of weeks in the shop it runs wonderfully.

"I'd like to see some of the economy brands do that in 40 ys... get a rebuild.. from parts still stocked on shelf, and be ready for another 30-40 ys of work.. I honestly don't see it hapening.. even with many of the name brand tractors..."


Tough to say and only time will tell. I do agree that many of them are not robust enough to last that amount of time and still have any useful life left in them.
However, many of today's new tractors have fantastic little engine and tranny set-ups that blow the doors off of their 40 year old equivalents and can produce much more.

 

[Soundguy]

If the engine is smaller and produces more power.. it sounds like it is working harder... if it's working harder.. i'd expect it to not last as long... all things being considered.

The key will be if there are renewable parts / rebuild kits easilly available in 50+ years..

Soundguy

 

[N80]

If the engine is smaller and produces more power.. it sounds like it is working harder... if it's working harder.. i'd expect it to not last as long... all things being considered.

I think there is more to it than that. Consider the Toyota 22R 4 cylinder engine. Runs at higher rpms than comparable 6 cylinder engines in the same vehicle and yet, it might be one of the best, most long lasting, reliable engines ever made. I read a test that looked at one after 250,000 miles with regular maintenance and it reportedly had "no appreciable wear" on rings, bearings etc.

I think a lot of these little Jap diesels will be very similar.

But there are other factors that enfluence longevity and parts availability. In years past, there was nowhere near the variety there is now. So it was easier to keep a supply of basic parts because the variety was relatively low. So yes, many of the varieties we have now will sink into obscurity. However, for the ones that are popular AND durable, there will continue to be a vaible parts market. The market responds to demand.

But maybe the most important condsideration is that a huge number of these very well built, very high sales very durable little tractors have very easy lives and sit in nice garages the whole time. These little machines are going to be around forever and in high numbers.

That being said, it is still amazing that their are 1960 Case Case-O-Matics getting regular, heavy duty, daily use in major farm operations in 2007. You can't deny that it takes a certain amount of quality for that sort of endurance!

 

[Soundguy]

Absolutely.

In my area.. you still see ag and utility 60's and 70's era tractors doing lots of daily hard work.

I think you hit on part of the issue I was speaking on..... volume and demand.

Produce a unit in very high volume, and the demand for parts may keep them around. Counting the 9n thru the 8n.. due to the huge amount of similar parts.. that's nearly a million tractors. It's no wonder that you can go to a tractor supply store and buy a water pump, manifold or starter or carb, right off the shelf...

Soundguy