Renze
Elite Member
Hah, my name gets mentioned before i've even arrived
this series has had poor master brake and clutch cylinders, which retail for about $70 and take 2 or 3 hours of work. Thats what you can expect anyhow with these tractors: total cost about $300. The rest of the tractor will outlast the Ford, i know a 7745 which has 18.000 hours in hard use (silage contracting) with other than clutch and brake replacements, just regular maintenance.
I speak for my self here: I would never trade the 5245 for a Ford, especially with the fuel price these days, and the ever decreasing parts backup of CNH for older models. On my 1967 3011 i can get every gearwheel brand new, for reasonable prices. CNH is already throwing parts for late 70's tractors off their stocklists, or charge 5 times the price for it.
On our side of the pond, Zetor tractors hold their value better than most other brands, so I'm not going to debate against the prejudice of a non-USA brand: Just buy what you feel comfortable with from the get go.
this series has had poor master brake and clutch cylinders, which retail for about $70 and take 2 or 3 hours of work. Thats what you can expect anyhow with these tractors: total cost about $300. The rest of the tractor will outlast the Ford, i know a 7745 which has 18.000 hours in hard use (silage contracting) with other than clutch and brake replacements, just regular maintenance.
I speak for my self here: I would never trade the 5245 for a Ford, especially with the fuel price these days, and the ever decreasing parts backup of CNH for older models. On my 1967 3011 i can get every gearwheel brand new, for reasonable prices. CNH is already throwing parts for late 70's tractors off their stocklists, or charge 5 times the price for it.
On our side of the pond, Zetor tractors hold their value better than most other brands, so I'm not going to debate against the prejudice of a non-USA brand: Just buy what you feel comfortable with from the get go.