Will my tractor be around in 30 years??

[SkyPup]

I'm all for plastic fuel tanks because they never rust.

Our 1985 Massey Ferguson 1030 Hydrostat still works great after 20 years of extremely hard use, just be sure to change the hydraulic fluid regularly and the filters too.

Remember, if it doesn't fail on its own during the first six months, the chances of it failing ever are slim.

 

[OffBalance]

This is an excellent question, ocaj11, and one that I have considered myself.

As far as plastics are concerned, it totally depends on what kind of plastic, and what it is being used for. Some plastics are harder, stronger, or tougher, than some metals. Some are more expensive that metal. It would take some research to track down all the different plastics and their applications.

As far as computers/electronics go, this is an issue for me. Tractors last much longer than cars. I don't want too much electronics on a tractor. Now, I should point out that I used to work on Engine Control Units for a subsidiary of General Motors. ECU computers are very stable and durable these days. However, who is going to be making replacements 30 years from now? The software inside was probably unique for your set of options! Not an issue with a car that only lasts 10-15 years. In fact, I just bought a Toyota Prius that has over 20 computers on board to control all the various functions of that incredible car. I understand how all the computers work, and how to troubleshoot the car. In 15 years, I suppose I could with some effort repair the car by designing my own replacements. But I will have a new car by then. But hopefully, the same tractor.

I do plan on spending more for my tractor and implements than for my new car. I want it to last longer, and be reliable and easy to repair. We have not seen the same maturity in the electronics field as in the mechanical field. Until we do, I want my tractor to be as mechanical as possible.

 

[SkyPup]

I still utilize my Apple II with 48K of memory for maintaining our farm spreadsheet, as I have for the last 35 years now.

Should I be worried about the outdated software and hardware or do you think it will continue working for another 35 years of so....inquiring minds want to know?

 

[Soundguy]

I'll bet if that apple plowed, disc'ed, mowed, and skidded logs.. it wouldn't be here right now.

If it also sat out in the rain, and elements.. it would also not be working.

If your tractor was always used indoors.. never saw rain or wind, or sand / rocks and tree limbs.. it'd probably last alot longer too!

We used to use some old PC's and other odd cpu iron ( coco, trs80 slant 4's, commode's.. etc.. even an amstrad... around here for simple tasks like you mention.. time cards.. etc. The computers themselves didn't have a problem.. it was the periferials. For instance.. when that old RS DMP10 printer goes.. you are left scratching your head...

I've got an old timex sinclair and 16k external ram pack that works fine. I use a handheld mini tape recorder for it to use as a storage device.. still works.. but is utterly useless unless you need to brush up on your basic programming???

Soundguy

 

[SkyPup]

Even the Epson MX-80 dot matirix still works for it with a little WD-40 sprayed onto the ink ribbon, although the Hayes 110 baud modem is getting a little outdated, I used to surf Dialog Information Database with it many many years ago.... prior to Al Gore inventing the internet.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[slowrev]

Sky, Is it getting hard to find fanfold paper ?
Ben

 

[Bob_Young]

Geez, what was that all about /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif? New member, Offbalance contributes a true gem of a posting and some of our most respected senior members turn back the pages of time and conduct a tour of the PC museum.

Don't you guys know that just mentioning the names of some of those old 'puters can cause intense physical pain?

Dot matrix my patoot! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Bob

 

[slowzuki]

Nah, all the banks and invoices at small stores still use dot matrix. It is hard to find thermal paper for our Timex Sinclair printer though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Don't actually use it though, geez, it is 28 years old this year! Skypup your Mac can't be 35!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sky, Is it getting hard to find fanfold paper ?
Ben
)</font>

 

[SkyPup]

The Apple II, then the Apple II+, then the Apple IIe, then the original MAC. Yes my II+ was purchased new in 1978 and still used every single week, 100% bootup is less than 3 seconds! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Plus, I've got two large cartons of fanfold paper too! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif