Would you buy a gas tractor

[MossRoad]

We had a late 70's IH2500b tractor loader. Bought it used around 1990 and sold it about 10 years ago. It was a 4 cylinder gas engine, hydrostatic transmission, industrial tractor with a loader, and 50PTO horsepower. It had 4000+ hours on it when we bought it. Don't remember how many when we sold it. Only problems I had with it were the gear on the distributer shaft spun off once. Had it fixed. And one of the front steering castings cracked. That's about it. We sold it because it was too big for our needs once all the big jobs were done. Then we downsized to our current Power Trac PT425. It's a large lawnmower engine, a Kohler Command Pro 25HP gas engine that turns a bunch of hydraulic pumps. Works great for our needs. Coldest I recall starting it is -5F. I store it in an unheated shed. It's 16 years old with about 750 hours. Used it today brush cutting thick brambles and brush on 2 miles of trail in 90 degree heat. Made two passes at 48" wide, so 4 miles. Took less than 2 hours. I am very pleased with the gas engine.

 

[Oldpath05]

Show me a quit diesel, I can hear them coming a mile away rocking and knocking, gas requires no hearing protection. I think todays gas engines will out last a diesel and repair/maintenance is cheaper and easier, I'd rather change spark plugs than mess with a diesel engine.

I just got off a car pool Ford van with almost 400k, nothing was ever done to the motor but change plugs&fiters,

 

[4570Man]

Show me a quit diesel, I can hear them coming a mile away rocking and knocking, gas requires no hearing protection. I think todays gas engines will out last a diesel and repair/maintenance is cheaper and easier, I'd rather change spark plugs than mess with a diesel engine.

I just got off a car pool Ford van with almost 400k, nothing was ever done to the motor but change plugs&fiters,

Show me a quiet gas motor above 10 hp that runs at rated power for extended time periods.

 

[Oldpath05]

Show me a quiet gas motor above 10 hp that runs at rated power for extended time periods.

Are you kidding below 20 hp gas motors are 3 times louder, show me a quit chainsaw.

 

[shaeff]

I won't get into the gas vs diesel debate, but I do love my '64 MF35 Utility gasser. Four cylinder Continental Z-134 fires even in the coldest of weather and never a hiccup. Never been rebuilt, and is 53 years old and still runs like a top.

When I bought it, the rock shaft cylinder had been broken clean off the lift cover, machine had been parked for 7 years. The hydraulic systems (separate loader reservoir) were full of water. I drained and flushed, filed the contacts on the points, and did a quick rewire on the ignition system because it was missing, chewed up, or in rough shape. When I bumped the key it fired right up.

Each has their place. Mine works very well for me, but I also wouldn't mind a Perkins diesel.

Nice thing about my gasser, it's ridiculously easy to repair.

 

[CalG]

Show me a quiet gas motor above 10 hp that runs at rated power for extended time periods.

Gas has it's place.

I've have two, and they both start without question even at zero F after sitting out. ;-)

The Bolens is a 23 HP, so most in line with the post topic. It's from the 80's , with the Kohler horizontal opposed side valve. Not particularly fuel efficient, but I can't tell. When the tank is low, It gets filled.

I can't say the exhaust note is quiet. I've been wanting to refit an automotive muffler., but just haven't seen the need.
As to power, There is much to draw comparisons to the B7200 . I feel the Bolens has the edge. (by the ratio of 23 to 18 ;-)
Traction is a bigger issue. Weight and tire size win every time.

The Fordson is also gas. 1950 m.y. so she is pushing 70 years. ( though about the same HP rating, I think the horses were bigger in the '50's;-)
Starts right up in all weather, delivers power to the wheels or the pto or the flat belt without a wimper. Sits for months unattended (and I never have used stabil etc)
She owes me nothing. But I expect a good day pushing snow when needed.

The Diesel tractors? I always use fuel conditioner, and need heat to get them going in winter. They are a bit smelly in operation and anywhere there is spilt fuel.
The bleeding and water in fuel issue is a royal pain in the rear. (dry gas clears all ills with the gas tractors when the situation presents)
It does seem a day's work showes on the fuel level indicator a lot less than the same day with the gassers.

Oh, did I mention the diesels were smelly and the used engine oil stains black .

I would consider a good gas tractor as long as it wasn't made cheaply for any task were fuel economy was not the driving factor.

 

[4570Man]

Are you kidding below 20 hp gas motors are 3 times louder, show me a quit chainsaw.

There are some quite generators and almost all cars are quite but neither of those fit the specifications. I really don't think there'd be much difference in noise level. I think diesels that work for a living are pretty safe. I think the diesels that drive around 50 hours a year would be better suited by a way cheaper gasser.

 

[mopardude318]

If available I would absolutely buy a Kubota gas tractor

 

[George the Beagle]

I've been a diesel fan all my life, because they offer relative simplicity compared to a gas. No ignition system. Mechanical fuel injection. The ultimate in simplicity....until recently. With the federalization of diesel engines has added a lot of complexity. DEF, Tier 4, etc make a diesel as complex as a gas. I've noticed that delivery fleets (like UPS) and others are switching back to gas in their delivery vehicles. Municipalities in this area are going back to gas in their ambulances and some of their smaller fire apparatus. It may very happen with small tractors, too. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[AStanton]

I thought I heard somewhere, that due to all the mandated pollution control devices on the new diesels, Kubota was looking to offer a gas engine.