The Car-ification of tractors
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SkyPup
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2003
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- 3,079
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- North Central, Florida
- Tractor
- Kubota L-39 GST TLB, Kubota L3130GST, Massey 1030 HST, Kubota ZD-21 ProDecK, Two Euro VW TDIs
The organic fluorescent dyes utilized in storing the information on CD's and DVD burners is only good for about 4-5 years, hard drives are even less.....what good is a tractor without a manual?
What does everybody think diesel fuel will be like in fifty years?
If all the diesel fuel produced then is synthetic, will the old timers use it or go out and try to drill an oil well somewhere to get the good dino stuff? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
What does everybody think diesel fuel will be like in fifty years?
If all the diesel fuel produced then is synthetic, will the old timers use it or go out and try to drill an oil well somewhere to get the good dino stuff? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
tjkadar
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2005
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- 712
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- Sumter, SC
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 5609, Kubota GS1800, eXmark LazerZ XP
Our first tractor was a small 1950's era beast that I am very happy not to drive anymore. I don't remember what the horsepower was (low) or the tractor’s exact make and model (some type of Ferguson, but not a Massey). I do know that the hydraulics were finicky, the seat was uncomfortable, the brakes needed a lot of pressure, the steering could break a thumb or wrist, the lights were useless (some things don’t change), the PTO would push the tractor forward even with the clutch engaged, it sucked a lot of gas, and it was loud. Our next tractor was a Kubota L2850 or L2800. I can’t remember which number it was.
At the time, Kubota was about the player in the game for a smaller tractor. We tried to buy a larger John Deere, but the salesman wouldn’t even talk to us. If it was less then 100 hp, he didn’t have time. In fact, the salesman was downright rude. Today, we still don’t buy John Deere because of our treatment over 25 years ago. I guess we do hold a grudge… but as long as that dealership is our local supplier, we will not be owning a green tractor (even though I like ‘em and drove a bunch of them at the hay farm across the road).
In 1990, we sold the Kubota (which was light years ahead of the Ferguson) and bought a L3250 Kubota. We moved up in power, got MFWD, and a FEL. We kept that tractor for 15 years and it still felt new. I just don’t think a tractor that was built in 1990 can be an ‘old’ tractor. The L3250 is still working a friend’s 20 acres of fields and woods without a problem. I can easily see the tractor lasting another 15 years.
In early 2005, we bought a M6800. Unless I can find a way to finagle a tractor with a cab, this will probably be the last tractor our farm needs in my lifetime. I really like the M6800 and cannot see any reason why it won't last just as long as the Ferguson did. Thirty or more years certainly isn't out of the question.
The tractors we have today are an improvement over the tractors of old. If you treat it like a disposable item, then disposable it will be. If you treat it as if you want it around for 30 to 50 years, then it will be around for 30 to 50 years. Myself, I would rather be mounted on the 2005 M6800 for the next 30 to 50 years than on a 1950's era Ferguson.
At the time, Kubota was about the player in the game for a smaller tractor. We tried to buy a larger John Deere, but the salesman wouldn’t even talk to us. If it was less then 100 hp, he didn’t have time. In fact, the salesman was downright rude. Today, we still don’t buy John Deere because of our treatment over 25 years ago. I guess we do hold a grudge… but as long as that dealership is our local supplier, we will not be owning a green tractor (even though I like ‘em and drove a bunch of them at the hay farm across the road).
In 1990, we sold the Kubota (which was light years ahead of the Ferguson) and bought a L3250 Kubota. We moved up in power, got MFWD, and a FEL. We kept that tractor for 15 years and it still felt new. I just don’t think a tractor that was built in 1990 can be an ‘old’ tractor. The L3250 is still working a friend’s 20 acres of fields and woods without a problem. I can easily see the tractor lasting another 15 years.
In early 2005, we bought a M6800. Unless I can find a way to finagle a tractor with a cab, this will probably be the last tractor our farm needs in my lifetime. I really like the M6800 and cannot see any reason why it won't last just as long as the Ferguson did. Thirty or more years certainly isn't out of the question.
The tractors we have today are an improvement over the tractors of old. If you treat it like a disposable item, then disposable it will be. If you treat it as if you want it around for 30 to 50 years, then it will be around for 30 to 50 years. Myself, I would rather be mounted on the 2005 M6800 for the next 30 to 50 years than on a 1950's era Ferguson.
tlbuser
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The organic fluorescent dyes utilized in storing the information on CD's and DVD burners is only good for about 4-5 years, hard drives are even less.....what good is a tractor without a manual?
)</font>
Laser etching in stone, no inks
)</font>
Laser etching in stone, no inks
unreconstructed
Platinum Member
My Dad did the horse and mule thing back in the 30's until they could afford a JD. Don't remember him bragging too much about the reliability of the 4 legged farm implements. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
SkyPup
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2003
- Messages
- 3,079
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- North Central, Florida
- Tractor
- Kubota L-39 GST TLB, Kubota L3130GST, Massey 1030 HST, Kubota ZD-21 ProDecK, Two Euro VW TDIs
Clay tablets is the only way to go for long term reliability! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Also, veterinary equine health has come a long way since way back then too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Also, veterinary equine health has come a long way since way back then too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
tjkadar
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2005
- Messages
- 712
- Location
- Sumter, SC
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 5609, Kubota GS1800, eXmark LazerZ XP
"Also, veterinary equine health has come a long way since way back then too!"
But then again, so has the associated costs of equine care.
You probably wont catch a horse or mule glancing wistfully at a tractor thinking, "I wish they'd sell that inf'rnal 'chine and hook me up to the plow. I'll show 'em what horse power really means!"
But then again, so has the associated costs of equine care.
You probably wont catch a horse or mule glancing wistfully at a tractor thinking, "I wish they'd sell that inf'rnal 'chine and hook me up to the plow. I'll show 'em what horse power really means!"
Wow. I guess I am the only one who feels there is a problem in the industry, or at least a problem with our lowered expectations for farm products. Perhaps a contributing factor is this is a website devoted to compact tractors, with not a lot of participation from AG farmers, and compacts are necessarily more carlike.
As for the comments to the effect that modern car/tractors are more reliable than a mule, they are necessarily correct, but well even more reliable is your local grocery store, but you guys aren't giving up your tractors.
As for the comments to the effect that modern car/tractors are more reliable than a mule, they are necessarily correct, but well even more reliable is your local grocery store, but you guys aren't giving up your tractors.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
"My only concern is the ink used in printing the operation manuals for my tractors. Inks degrade with time and there is a possibility that my great-great-grandchildren may not be able to reach the maintenance section of these old tractormanuals in order to keep them in tip top shape. "
It's not the ink so much as the acid content of the paper in modern use. Find some acid free paper -- it's out there if you look hard enough -- use an electronic copier, and make yourself a long lasting manual. Better yet, /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, use your electronic scanner to save it to a memory pen, SD card, floppy disk, magnetic tape, or whatever other modern information management format you think might be around for them later.
My FIL's WD-45 and manual are both in pretty good shape. He used the thing for many years to farm a couple hundred acres while raising a family based on the farm income. He bought it new. Same with his 8N Ford. Fortunately, both of these were sufficiently popular that you can still find parts like caps, wires, rotors, condensers, plugs, and points without too much trouble.
The problem we face, in addition to longevity, is trying to decide which models will be popular enough to still have parts available down the road. And while it's true that you can always have metal parts made up if you have the money, how would you get any of the relatively few plastic parts replaced?
For horsepower, try this pic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm at school having lunch. I have some good pics of horses logging my place a few years ago if any of you want to see them.
It's not the ink so much as the acid content of the paper in modern use. Find some acid free paper -- it's out there if you look hard enough -- use an electronic copier, and make yourself a long lasting manual. Better yet, /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, use your electronic scanner to save it to a memory pen, SD card, floppy disk, magnetic tape, or whatever other modern information management format you think might be around for them later.
My FIL's WD-45 and manual are both in pretty good shape. He used the thing for many years to farm a couple hundred acres while raising a family based on the farm income. He bought it new. Same with his 8N Ford. Fortunately, both of these were sufficiently popular that you can still find parts like caps, wires, rotors, condensers, plugs, and points without too much trouble.
The problem we face, in addition to longevity, is trying to decide which models will be popular enough to still have parts available down the road. And while it's true that you can always have metal parts made up if you have the money, how would you get any of the relatively few plastic parts replaced?
For horsepower, try this pic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm at school having lunch. I have some good pics of horses logging my place a few years ago if any of you want to see them.