What are the most reliable tractors to own?

[Williy]

You hear John Deere tractors are really great
however you don't hear the rest of the story as
who made John Deere tractors for over 20 years
the company is YANMAR LESs THAN 50 HP but most of the top of the line tractors in those lists have a lot of HP for the big time farmers and I don't believe that there are a lot of folks on here with tractors over 100 hp?? Yanmar came out with new model tractors YM and I believe they are all gear tractors and they even have a robot tractor so now you can climb up in the silo and work your tractor while having lunch etc I have read that there are over 75 tractors that use the Yanmar diesel engine and many more units use them.
Also the lists vary one list has Massey at #3 and Kubota at #5 another list has Massey at #3 and Kubota #7 IMHO I do not believe you will ever get a list for under 50hp tractors and a list for over 50hp's that are accurate.

willy

 

[Williy]

You hear John Deere tractors are really great
however you don't hear the rest of the story as
who made John Deere tractors for over 20 years
the company is YANMAR LEST THAN 50 HP but most of the top of the line tractors in those lists have a lot of HP for the big time farmers and I don't believe that there
are a lot of folks on here with tractors over 100 hp??
Yanmar came out with new model tractors YM and I
believe they are all gear tractors

willy

 

[tjandrews]

 

[Farmer495]

You've have to know the source data criteria to decide if the list even makes sense. Skew of the sample can make anything come out on top.

There are solid, reliable models in all colors, just depends on WHEN and WHERE that tractor was made. You can also have two identical tractors, one runs flawless, and the other is a complete lemon.

I'd wager most compact & subcompact tractors of all brands will be reliable for the limited use they get compared to something used commercially covering thousands of acres a year.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

The most reliable tractors are the ones with owners who don’t abuse them. I’ve seen enough “hold my beer” tractor videos to convince me to never buy a used tractor.

 

[sixdogs]

The most reliable tractors are the ones with owners who don’t abuse them. I’ve seen enough “hold my beer” tractor videos to convince me to never buy a used tractor.

In many ways, this is pretty true. I'd buy something used but well cared for and avoid something abused or that sat outside too long. It just hasn't worked for me.

It may work if it's a specific model you want and are planning to tear down and start over in a restoration but even then problems can turn up in distant bearings or parts that were starved for grease or attention.

 

[Torvy]

The most reliable tractors are the ones with owners who don’t abuse them. I’ve seen enough “hold my beer” tractor videos to convince me to never buy a used tractor.

I'm with you. I just don't know enough, nor is it easy, to look at a used tractor and tell if it was abused. I would buy one from someone I knew very well (I have many cousins who farm, but I would only buy from one of them).

 

[stevem5215]

The most reliable tractor has always been the one that works for you and doesn't fail!

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Generally the ones which are maintained. It doesn’t matter what brand it is really. If you give it a steady diet of grease and oils, it will last for years. Run it half dry a few times, or skip the maintenance intervals, and it will rapidly go downhill.

 

[Reddogs]

You've have to know the source data criteria to decide if the list even makes sense. Skew of the sample can make anything come out on top.

There are solid, reliable models in all colors, just depends on WHEN and WHERE that tractor was made. You can also have two identical tractors, one runs flawless, and the other is a complete lemon.

I'd wager most compact & subcompact tractors of all brands will be reliable for the limited use they get compared to something used commercially covering thousands of acres a year.

Not 'all' colors as some clearly are basically back at the dealer before the paint dries..