New Tractors Versus Old Tractors--Who has the most fun?

[jenkinsph]

I don't think the age of the tractor has much to do with it. If you enjoy tractors and you have something to do it is a good day.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't think the age of the tractor has much to do with it. If you enjoy tractors and you have something to do it is a good day.

Last night my wife said "our diesel fuel bill was much lower this past month"? I said "Yeah, I figure it would be" with a sad look on my face. She said "isn't that a good thing"? I said "No, it means I didn't get as much tractor seat time". She just rolled her eyes.

 

[motownbrowne]

Last night my wife said "our diesel fuel bill was much lower this past month"? I said "Yeah, I figure it would be" with a sad look on my face. She said "isn't that a good thing"? I said "No, it means I didn't get as much tractor seat time". She just rolled her eyes.

I figure the more fuel I burn the better. Means I'm getting more done. Both of my tractors do so much work for the amount of fuel they burn. It's amazing to bush hog all afternoon on my new Holland and use like 5 gallons of fuel. At 2.50/gallon it's amazing what $10 gets accomplished.

I like me some old iron certainly. More of a novelty, though for me. If I was crop farming I'm sure I'd get to own and tinker with several older tractors that can still get real work done. There's tons of machines from the 60s and 70s still working on farms across the country. In my life, though, on a small vegetable farm, small modern 4wd diesels are the bee's knees.

 

[Zebrafive]

My left knee does NOT like the collar shift trans and heavy clutch pedal of my 42 year old JD 2030. Other than that, no problem old verses newer.
I should also say it's only after several hours straight my knee complains.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Crazy to think there is 55 years difference between my 2 tractors but enjoy both working on and with them both. Old iron impress me often with the simplicity and brute strength. Smirk every time the governor makes my Massey bark under load. Totally understand why there are young and old antique tractor enthusiasts. BUT, I also enjoy power steering, FWA, live power etc. As for reliability, I'd say there are equal as there is very little that CAN go wrong on the Massey.

 

[fried1765]

1951 Ford 8N
1970 Ford 3400 TLB
1988 Ford 1920 4x4 FEL
Tractor OWNER is a 1940 model
EVERYTHING IS OLD, but I know the OLD tractors can do more work than the OLD owner!

 

[npalen]

Is the tractor OWNER still under warranty?

 

[MHarryE]

I enjoy newer. After retiring, one thing I did was drive my nephew's old Farmalls chopping hay and doing tillage. Then I got more involved in my own farming and helping my cousin and bought a tractor capable of running a chipper. I said I would continue chopping for them if I could use my tractor and they supply my fuel (and beef). That was fine with my nephew. Power shift instead of crunching gears, shuttle so backing up to hook up chopper wagons much faster. Air suspension instead of whatever a 1486 has. Air conditioning that works. I still get the wrenching because their choppers are old.

As for my toys - the CUTs - I've gone from, Kubotas, L3710 open to L5740 cab to L6060 cab and never regretted a change.

I grew up with Farmall H, M, & Super A tractors. We got an 806 at the time I graduated from college - it was such step up with power steering, more productive gears, POWER, and comfort. My cousin and brother-in-law stayed with farming. Between the 2 of them now a total of 2 knees replaced, 3 hips, and 2 shoulders. Give me air suspension and easy controls any day.

 

[California]

Love my little Yanmar YM186D.

4x4, power steering and clutchless shift under load are very much part of the modern world but its an early 80's model from before tractors got complicated.

No electronics, just starting/lights/horn. Mechanical tach. No diesel lift pump, no shutoff solenoid. No glow plugs, same $15 Thermostart (manifold heater) module as the old MF's. Basically this has modern capability with old school simplicity, the best of both worlds. It cost $3,500 (Craigslist 2013) with OEM loader and scraper box included, and it hasn't needed anything since I've owned it.

I'm not convinced buying similar new would improve anything.

 

[daugen]

Pretty sure that working on older equipment is more fun than newer. I have over 30 small engines to maintain and one thing for sure,
I'm glad I finally got rid of all my points. Ask your teenager what Top Dead Center means and see if you get any recognition...a dying art for sure.

Older tractors are great for parades but in many cases are just plain dangerous compared to new models in many situations. Older tractors have higher
center of gravity, no ROPS or seatbelts, and have killed many men and boys on hills. I saw that happen in front of my eyes as a new fireman second on the scene to
a rollover of a Farmall. Steering wheel crushed the boy's chest. Father was holding him in his arms when I got there. Never wanted to be on an older tractor, like the JD B I grew up with,
again. Love to own one for a collection, and have fun restoring it or working on it, but not working it unless I was on very flat ground. That tricycle gear JD scared me more than once.

My 2011 Massey is very old school. Fun to look at since it's all Tier II mechanical and for a non mechanic I can figure out what each part does.
Hasn't changed much in forty years. Perkins engine on an old school Indian frame with shiny
new tin on it. I changed the muffler on it from vertical to horizontal so I could go in the woods with it, and it was easy to work on. I'd be afraid of knocking off a sensor on the Kubota...
but then since all I really have the mechanical ability to do is change oil and filters, if something major broke the dealer would do it, to me it's more the design of the tractor. How easy do they make it to get to certain areas. Sometimes the old stuff was better. My Massey has remote grease lines with zerks on the end. Couple of the rear lift cylinders on the Kubota could sure use them.