Older large tractors

Hysyde · Nov 2, 2004

I was talking to a buddy of mine recently who farms quite a few acres and does quite a bit of custom work. He has some high-dollar pieces of machinery (combines, implements, tractors) but he still uses an old John Deere 8440 (late 70's early 80's, not sure exactly) as his main machine on the disc ripper and cultivator.

I never realised it was such and old machine. Because he runs a relatively big farm, I figured his artic was a newer machine like most of his other stuff. I'm not sure how much money he has invested in it or if it was rebuilt when he bought it. He recently bumped the injector up to make it around 220-230 horsepower and the tired motor let go. He did a basic rebuild and left the injector bumped. It's been running great for him since.

I checked the online classifieds for around here and these tactors range from about $15,000 - $30,000.

Soundguy · Nov 4, 2004

I agree.. you can find things like case 1xxx series and ford 7xxx and 8xxx early model tractors.. say 69 and up for cheap.. like I saw a ford 8000 and a 15' mower ( mower was 90's production) for 5200$ Not a bad mowing rig.

I think the others answered well... too big for small acerage.. not new enough for every day use comercial.. but just right for the guy who needs a piece of big iron to run once or twice a year to brush mow with, or bail hay.

Some of the ford TW series are a tad newer and are starting to go pretty cheap now as well... even some that have had recent overhauls..

Soundguy

Hysyde · Nov 4, 2004

We actaully have a Ford 8000 that has been pretty good to us. As well as a 1979 (I think) AC 7000.

I was actually thinking quite a bit bigger then that. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I always like some of those big TW's.

Robert_in_NY · Nov 4, 2004

The TW's do not have a good reputation mostly because of the cavitation issue with their motors. This is good for people looking to buy but bad for people wanting to sell. Most cases you can get them cheap enough, replace the engine (as well as get more hp by doing so) and put her to work for a lot less then you can buy a 70 series for.

Egon · Nov 4, 2004

There really ain't no such thing as an old cheap, reliable big articulated tractor.

There cheap for a reason- they are wore out just like me.

Egon

Hysyde · Nov 4, 2004

I think $30K can buy a good old artic that should be fairly reliable. That's cheap pulling power to me.

Anyway, we won't be buying one anytime in the near future more than lilely. We're looking around for a replacement loader tractor (either new 65-80hp tactor or an older TLB).

Soundguy · Nov 8, 2004

( TW's do not have a good reputation mostly because of the cavitation issue with their motors )

As in 'wet-sleave' cavitation issues? I thought the addatives addressed that problem fairly decently?

Soundguy

Robert_in_NY · Nov 9, 2004

Unless you have owned the tractor since new you don't know if the additive was used or not. Check Fastline and other sites and look at the TW pricing compared to the 30 series pricing that replaced it. Same tractor but it holds a different place on the resale lots.

rambler · Nov 9, 2004

During the design & production of the TW series, Ford was going through some problems & was really struggling with their bigger car division. The ag division got leftovers, & the TW design was not so well planned out - on little bitty stuff that adds up to make it seem 'unreliable' to some. Leaks, power steering unit, etc.

Cavitation is a problem with all wet diesels, but shows up more in many of the Fords both before & after the TW series.

I have owned a TW-20 for 3 years, nice cheap hp, it's cab is a lot better than others of it's era, and seems to do a good job.

--->Paul

Soundguy · Nov 9, 2004

( Unless you have owned the tractor since new you don't know if the additive was used or not )
As you point out.. the TW's go cheap. I see them in the trader paper all the time with 'just rebuilt' engines.. still way cheaper than 'new' power.

I figure if you are buying one with a re-manned engine.. start running the anticavitation addative at that time as good insurance..

Soundguy