Would you buy a gas tractor

[JWR]

I would buy a modern gas tractor. Seeing how smooth, quiet, and reliable modern gas engines are I would definitely consider it.

If I was buying a new truck I would definitely choose a gasser over the current diesels. ... pay a diesel mechanic to fix the new diesels.

Ok Diesel fans, start flaming....

Tractorable -- I agree completely regarding trucks. But every point of your argument falls apart or simply does not apply when buying tractors, heavy equipment, generators, etc. Maybe you intended your comments to apply only to trucks? If so it seems out of place in a primarily tractor discussion. By the way, show me the modern gas tractor you would go buy. There are none and there's probably some kind of consensus reasons for that.

 

[MossRoad]

Ethanol fuel in modern cars is a non-issue. Ethanol gas in a modern tractor engine would be a non-issue as well.

 

[Tractorable]

Tractorable -- I agree completely regarding trucks. But every point of your argument falls apart or simply does not apply when buying tractors, heavy equipment, generators, etc. Maybe you intended your comments to apply only to trucks? If so it seems out of place in a primarily tractor discussion. By the way, show me the modern gas tractor you would go buy. There are none and there's probably some kind of consensus reasons for that.

There was a fella further up the thread who said he'd never buy a gas truck so trucks were kinda in my head when writing. I should have quoted the other post. I agree trucks and tractors are different applications, one being the extra weight of a Diesel engine helping tractors get traction.

However, gas engines still cost less to buy and repair. It'd be interesting to see a chart plotting the break-even point of lower purchase price vs higher fuel cost.

The thread is titled "would you buy a gas tractor" which to me means, would you hypothetically buy a gas tractor if manufacturers started building them again, to which my answer is yes, I'd consider it.

 

[4570Man]

Ethanol fuel in modern cars is a non-issue. Ethanol gas in a modern tractor engine would be a non-issue as well.

Not exactly. If I get through a week on a tank of gas in my truck I'm doing good. It's not uncommon for my equipment to sit unused for months.

 

[JWR]

MossRoad just stepped on a landmine -- ethanol -- way larger in scope than buying gas engined tractors. I will hurry out of here to avoid being covered by the rotten tomatoes headed your way.

Ethanol IS a nasty issue for tractor engines and the industry. Much of that is scientific fact not subject to question or debate: Alcohol in fuel draws water. Stored alcohol/gas mix becomes layered and separated. Water attacks and corrodes unlike #2 fuel. Farm and off-road application fuel tends to be stored and left around in tanks far more often than it does in modern autos. Non-alcohol gasoline is now essentially rare compared to typical 10% ethanol (due to the idiots in government who never ever admit they were wrong.) Ethanol has zero benefits for you or your engines (unless you are one of the few big guys paid millions to mix the fuel.) Try going to the next convention of marine and small engine service people and telling them there are no problems with ethanol !!

A final observation: The modern auto industry gets by using predominantly 10% ethanol 1)because the vehicles are used day in day out instead of sitting around and 2) because of strength in numbers -- and the billions spent in research to make it work. The auto industry sells roughly 85 times as many units as the ag industry tractor/combine industry.

 

[D2Cat]

No. But it said my message was too short.

 

[Soundguy]

50 or 60hp? When I brought a 30hp diesel tractor on this place, it burned LESS fuel than any gas tractor we had or ever have had from 35hp on down!

When it comes to mowing lawn, my 21hp diesel mower, easily burned waaaay LESS fuel than any gas mower we have ever had here! And that's from 12hp tp 20hp gas motors.

SR

My point was, on the antiques.. you HAD to go diesel by then due to the gassers eating a hole into your pocket due to the fuel disparity.

Mind you.. some of it was fuel delivery. when the 3 cyl fords hit.. their holley carbs were actually PRETTY GOOD on fuel.

 

[MossRoad]

Not exactly. If I get through a week on a tank of gas in my truck I'm doing good. It's not uncommon for my equipment to sit unused for months.

I had a late 70's IH2500b gas tractor loader for about 10 years. I ran 10% ethanol in it forever. It sat for months frequently. It had a water separator bowl under the fuel tank with a drain cock. I checked it every time before operating if it sat for a long time. In 10 years, I never got water in those tanks. Never. I got dirt and rust, but never water.

 

[rScotty]

Wondering how many would go for a gas CUT if Kubota made one.

Yes. I would....with some qualifications. Gas versus Diesel is a basic design decision and economy is one of the stronger design decision makers. Gas engines can always be made cheaply because the volatilty of gasoline allows for the designer to get high HP output without the need for stiffness and weight. Gassers save complexity in a number of areas. Easily variable timing is one of the technical biggies. Saving block stiffnes also expense, but ends up costing in durability. For examples of how it could be done differently, look at some of the heavy cast iron industrial gas engines popular in the 1950s. Heavy, simple, durable, and not expensive. But back then, diesel was even cheaper in the long run.
There is no reason in the world that a designer cannot put the stiffness, weight, and durability back into a gas engine. In fact, with all the new restrictions on diesels, I'll be surprised if we don't see some gassers return before electrics take over.
rScotty

 

[TomSeller]

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.

I have all mechanical fuel injection diesels and I will take them to my grave

I just need someone to drive them there since I won't be able to