Tractor Life Expectancy?

slowrev · Dec 21, 2005

Time is also a factor, especially with O-rings and such. Hours are not the only consideration.

Ben

ccsial · Dec 21, 2005

Maybe he meant about 1200 hours until some sort of repair is needed. Obviously a statment like that is extremely generalized. The farmers around here consider 1200 hours just broken in good.

My 1910 went from new to 1100 hours (about 15 years) with zero problems and then a seal blew in the fuel injector pump. I fixed that, put new injectors in as well and it runs like new again. I'm sure it will outlive me.

BadDog · Dec 21, 2005

Life expectancy of a tractor depends 100% on the owner.

I have a Craftsman ride-on mower with more than 1200 hours! It still runs fine... it's not as shiny as it once was, but so what.

Wheelhorse tractors from the 50's are still in use today... I have a brand new one and it is basically identical to the ones built back then other than an updated engine. The thing is a gorilla for its size.

My NH TC55DA is two years old now with about 500 hours on it and I've beat the living **** out of it, but I maintain it well.

I bet all three will outlive me.

pennwalk · Dec 22, 2005

"keep in mind, the average life expectancy of a tractor is 1200 engine hours" 
Maybe this is the begining of a new marketing plan. If JD can just get us used to the idea boy will they sell alot of tractors. In fact I'm going right out and buy JD stock. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Chris

ccsial · Dec 22, 2005

( Maybe this is the begining of a new marketing plan. ) 

You could be more right then you think.

IslandTractor · Dec 22, 2005

If true, and if the American tractor buying public is really ready to treat tractors like cars, there are going to be some great deals on used tractors out there. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Unfortunately (or not), I doubt it. Advertisers do not always succeed in making fools of us.

Farwell · Dec 22, 2005

Maybe JD plans on making their equipment fall apart after 1200 hours.
My 1965 JD 2010 has its problems but it has around 5000 hours on the meter and I think the meter was not hooked up for a few years.
The price dealers are getting for equipment these days and if it only lasted 1200 hours, I have a feeling that those dealers would soon be going out of business.
Farwell

wolc123 · Dec 22, 2005

You and/or the RFD guys are off by a factor of ten. This is a unfortunate but common mistake in the computer age. On average, a properly maintained AG tractor with a diesel engine can be expected to go around 12,000 (three zero's), hours between engine overhauls. Since the fuel itself is a good lubricant they can last significantly longer than those equipped with gas engines. To be safe, I always replace my diesel machines at around 8000 hours and do not use gas. Back when I used gas machines, I would replace at around 6000 hours. A tractor with 1,200 hours is really just broken in.

Jrrcorp · Dec 22, 2005

I had a MF dealer tell me the same thing two years ago abount my Kubota. 1200 hours is the average life exceptancy he said. Good thing he isn't a doctor!