Whats been the typical life span for JD tractors?

slowrev · Jul 1, 2004

Soundguy,
Yeah we know that the older JD's last really well, but the jury will be out for some time on the newer models with the aluminum, plastic and electronics in them. Time will tell, but I don't think as high a percentage of the newer designs will still ge going 50 years from now, however your JD B might still be /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The simpler a mechanism is the more reliable it is.

timb · Jul 1, 2004

Jeff

Yep there is a limit - in the last few years certain key assemblies for my old JD318 (mostly things that were optional) have evaporated. Hoods (fiberglass) are still available or were until recently - but at well over $400! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But I still think this is an area where JD is ahead of the other choices.

It will be a long time before we know how well the electronics hold up. One of the secondary reasons I picked the reverser tranny over the hydro was the reverser doesn't seem to have much electronics aboard.

art · Jul 1, 2004

Jd like the rest of the manufacturers does do a good job with replacement parts. It is changing for all of them as we become more of a world market. Across the oceans to the east they have such rigid inspections that many tractors are sent abroad even to the US as they can't pass there rigid inspections for use in the countries because of polution. We have been seeing that trend seep into the US over the past few years. It is hard for them to decide which parts will move and which ones won't. I've seen parts that never sold for 20 years, demand increased and someone starts making the part again. In other countries many parts after five or so years are all ordered. Typically a model lasts five to six years or sometimes more. When it is a lemon or something that hasn't been reliable they switch at two to three years. We do see people coming in looking for parts of all makes that are discontinued. I can't think of any brand that doesn't do it and sometimes reinstate the part. Sometimes if they are really vintage like many of the older ford parts they just make them in china or india.

cowboydoc · Jul 1, 2004

Jd like the rest of the manufacturers does do a good job with replacement parts 

I would question this. I know alot of farmers with older equipment of other brands than JD that they can no longer get parts for except at old tractor junkyards. When I had my Massey Ferguson Super 90 it was very hard to get parts for. When you could get them it was a month or two wait. With JD at most it's usually 8am the next day. With off-brands and older models good luck. Alot of the brands aren't even made anymore much less any parts availability. We've been restoring an 830 JD and the longest we've had to wait for a part was 24 hours. I'm also trying to put back together an AC and getting parts for that has been a test of will.

Across the oceans to the east they have such rigid inspections that many tractors are sent abroad even to the US as they can't pass there rigid inspections for use in the countries because of polution. 

JD tractors meet worldwide pollution standards and any tractors since 2000 are even compliant for the very stringent ratings that are starting in 2006. That's the exact reason other mfg. can get more hp for less money is because they are not meeting emission standards.

Soundguy · Jul 2, 2004

( farmers with older equipment of other brands than JD that they can no longer get parts for except at old tractor junkyards. When I had my Massey Ferguson Super 90 it was very hard to get parts for. When you could get them it was a month or two wait. With JD at most it's usually 8am the next day. With off )

I've experienced the opposite.

Take my fords.. for instance.. my 46 2n is virtually identical part wise to a 1939 9n.. only very superficial changes.. and even then.. the parts usually still bolt up..e tc... In any case.. either thru dealer or aftermarket sources.. you can get every single nut or bolt/assembly on that tractor, save the collectable stuff.. like the first few thousand had some cast aluminum parts instead of sheetmetal.. as the metal forms weren't built yet.. etc. Same with massey ferguson. I walked into our local MF dealer and picked up a aprt for a ferguson t0-20 that a friend owns... part was stocked inthe store no less... that's over 60 years of parts support.. prety decent.

On the other hand.. there are quite a few 'to expensive' to replace parts too. I was looking at a ford 8000 that i was going to pick up cheap.. I aske dthe parts guy at NH about support, and he said most of the important stuff was easy to find.. except that some of the tranny gears were 800$ a piece!

Scha-wing! That scared me away from that deal...

Soundguy

slowrev · Jul 2, 2004

Soundguy,
Was the 8000 series ford one of the automatic types ? I have heard you should run away from them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
You are right the N series Ford parts seem to be everywhere. You can even get many parts for them at TSC. Carbs, kits, radiator, starter, etc...

I have a 1968 IH 444/2444, it is of British design and was only made for about 5 years. I have been refurbishing it, new seals, bushings, bearings, etc in preparation for a painting. I want it to work well and look good. I have 2 friends with the same model tractor, none of us have had difficulty getting parts from Case/IH or aftermarket sources. The prices have been reasonable too.

Rex7749 · Jul 2, 2004

I think a lot of the parts question seems to hinge on how well that model of tractor sold. I have a 850 JD which I have owned for 20 years. I am now beginning to have some problems getting parts which is why I am looking to replace it. I have been told by my JD dealer that in certain models he is finding the JD is no longer making certain parts and I need to look to the after market. While he does say that this is rare it does happen. He agreed that it is probably based on sales of that model. More sales more parts needed in inventory for the future. However, that being said I agree that a Deere runs forever! Mine is still as strong today as it was the day I got it and only because I failed to get 4wd and power steering on it back then I would not be thinking of selling it now. What parts I have had trouble getting have been very minor.

Rex Grizzle

Soundguy · Jul 3, 2004

I think you are refering to the SOS transmission.. The 8000 had another flavor.. something called dual speed? It had it's own problems mind you.. but different that the cable operated SOS tranny problems... which were pretty much 2 categories... Early units were pretty much addmitteCategory 2.. lack of maintenance by the user caused most of the rest of the failures..d to be factory defective.. and could/should have been field upgraded way back when..

Yes.. TSC has tons of ford n parts.. manifolds.. water pumps.. almost all the electrics.. etc.

Soundguy

RonR · Jul 3, 2004

I owned an 861 Ford for a coupla years. I picked it up through an estate sale of the family. The tractor was very abused by Grandpa and I was leary of the 10 speed auto transmission. Before I bought it, I went to a Ford dealer and asked how much a transmission rebuild would cost. They said I couldn't stand the answer.

I bought it anyway and it worked ok. Motor was pretty shot, but the transmission survived for what I needed it for.

Ended up selling it for more than I paid for it............

Ron