turnoffs and downsides to old iron-survey

[Soundguy]

I know you could get the ford 5000 with a narrow front.. they ran thru 75.. though i don't know if the narrow front was offered for the entire line.. but I would think at least thru 68' for that model anyway.. if not later..e tc.

I've looked at a dc and VAC... Have you driven either? if so... comments?

Soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I love my 1943 Case SC (roughly the same size/hp as the International model H). Its a very functional family heirloom. It was my one of my great garndfather's first tractors when he retired the horses. I really like my tricycle front end. It turns so much sharper than the wide front tractors when I am mowing and raking hay and I can squeeze the front end into a little crack between other equipment in my pole barn. My property has gentle rolling hills so rollovers aren't an issue.

Upsides- built heavy and strong, easy to make routine adjustments (clutch free play, etc.), the option to buy a tricycle from end if you want one

Downsides- Get used to rust and frozen bolts, lack of power steering and power brakes, rotted out radiators, engine parts are sky high from the dealer (Over $100 just for the ring gear, $130 for water pump rebuild kit) Aftermarket engine rebuild parts are getting scarce for my tractor, it would cost about 1K to overhaul the engine if I ever get tired of the blue smoke that protects me from getting West Nile ;-)

Anyone know when the last tricycle type tractors were made? Late 70's?

Deere offered narrow fronts as late as 1982 on the last of the 40 series. I've seen a 4040 NF. When mounted corn pickers disappeared, so did the need for big tractors with narrow fronts, for the most part. Massey dropped narrow fronts when the 100/1000 series ended in 1975. Not sure about any others.

 

[KYErik]

Soundguy- sorry, can't help you there. I haven't ever driven a VAC or a DC. The DC is supposed to be = to the Farmall M, the VAC is the smallest tractor Case made in that era