When does a tractor become 'Vintage'

[5300JD]

Like the title says, what makes a tractor a vintage machine? I've not seen that defined on any tractor forums. I have a JD 4020, 1967 model year, that makes it 58 years old, is it a vintage machine? Is a tractor an antique? The definition of a vintage automobile is one manufacture between 1919 and 1930 but I find no mention of tractors, are they the same?

Firstly "Vintage" does not mean old, it only means that it was made in a certain year (with wine it is usually a good year). What you you have is a vintage 1967 JD 4020. When it becomes an Antique varies on what it is, in the US it is usually in the 25-50 year range and in places like the UK, it is in the 50 to 100 year range (the Brits have a lot of "really" old stuff).

 

[Hodado]

When I started collecting in the early 70's, anything un-styled or 50 years old was considered antique. Styled tractors, or roughly 30 years old were classics. Then up until the early 60's were considered vintage. Here tractors like your 4020 weren't even considered, they were still working in the fields.

But here we are 50 years later, and I still have a tendency to classify them the same way. Yet, someone 25 years old would consider it an antique.

It will be interesting to see the reply's you get. It's going to be like the ages old question, "What's the best oil to use..." LOL....

I think the 4020 should be considered as a very efficient antique that’s still widely used today

 

[John_Mc]

Why do tractors need a different definition? My wife sells vintage jewelry. Vintage is normally defined as 20-99 years old, and antique 100+.

In the car world, "Classic" is generally considered to be more than 20 years old and up to about 45 years old. Antique picks up where classic leaves off: older than about 45 years. (The break between classic and antique varies depending on who you ask.) Definitions of "Vintage" cars seem to vary: many claim it is a car from between 1919 and 1930, but there are other age/characteristic definitions when the word is applied to cars.

Firstly "Vintage" does not mean old, it only means that it was made in a certain year (with wine it is usually a good year). What you you have is a vintage 1967 JD 4020.

Vintage has more than one meaning.

• When used as a noun, it refers to the specific year in which something was made (i.e. "what vintage is this wine?" or "that is a vintage 1967 JD 4020")
• When used as an adjective, it it is used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc.

There are other meanings, as well. It is sometimes used to describe something that has the best qualities or characteristics of the things made or done by a particular person, organization, etc. ("The song 'Hound Dog' is vintage Elvis Presley")

By car standards, my 2001 New Holland TC33D is a "classic". However, I have a hard time thinking of it that way. To me, classic also denotes something special. I don't think there is really anything special about this tractor, it just happens to be 24 years old.

 

[1M05]

Vintage Tractors: Typically 25 to 50 years old, often from the 1940s to 1970s.

In 2025 a 25 to 50 year old tractor would be one made in 1975 to 2000.

 

[careyo63]

My 63 ford 62-65 production Yrs. Classic! IMO..

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I think they become vintage as soon as you’re done paying for them

 

[aircommuter]

I don’t think vintage has a finite number. Rather range group. Maybe in today’s tractors it is pre-pollution control which is actually a good era vs a bad one.

 

[airbiscuit]

If the for sale ad says Ran when parked, it's vintage.

 

[lostkayaker]

This is a google answer...

Vintage Tractors: Typically 25 to 50 years old, often from the 1940s to 1970s.

Antique Tractors: Generally over 50 years old, usually built before the 1950s. These are often displayed in shows and are considered historically significant.

This sounds like a Wikipedia page that was last updated in the year 2000. The dates don't match with the ages.

 

[dbritt]

I figure when someone will pay 4 times the price when it was purchased new, it's vintage. When they will pay 8 times what it was new, it's antique. "Vintage" became a word to describe age/value of an item when online auctions became popular. Anything on an auction is described as "vintage" unless it's new. My '68 Ford 3000 diesel pictured in my posts, is now 57 years old. I'm 70. The tractor is worth more now than I am. I guess I'm not even "vintage" yet.

 

[RB5]

My now parked out of the way 1970 Ford 2000 gas tractor may not be vintage, but it is junk. I used to repair that thing almost every time I used it. I spent more time running 30 minutes each way to get parts than I did using it many times. The last time I used it the tractor got stuck in gear and we had to use a hammer to get it loose and move it out of the way. Not long after that I bought a Deere 4044M to replace it. Just the title of this thread made me laugh and brought back memories.

 

[airbiscuit]

Did it run when parked?

 

[RB5]

Did it run when parked?

Not very strong, and it leaked oil. It had not been maintained well before I bought the land. It was sort of a throw in. I was able to disk and mow 20 acres with it a couple times before it started breaking every time I used it. It needed a transmission rebuild, a new generator/alternator, and I think the hydraulics were not in good shape. It did not have a loader. Oh and the rear tires were falling apart. I had done a tune up, replaced a water pump, and new carb. When the transmission started locking in gear I gave up. Also replaced the radiator. It was done.

 

[careyo63]

BTDT. my 2000 The CL. add stated just needed "Battery & TLC." when purchased was as bad if not worse. Finding out after I got it to the house. The Clutch/Trans. was in such bad shape it had to go to the shop! Wasn't big money to repair it all but well worth it. The new 2 stage was the most expensive and now Everything is working AIS... FEL. had problems that I was able to take care of. 63-65 not very common but I'm down to just the Front plastic grill and cap and I may paint it. I do use it with the FEL. so the paint not that important to me. I'm thinking of adding P. steering. Going to have to keep it factory PS.. Was told the new aftermarket wouldn't work. Crank shaft PTO and looking believe the new style Hyd. pump? clearly said it wouldn't work. It can be rough on me with the FEL. but weight on the 3 point isn't that bad!!

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[masseyrider]

When it's barely 10 years old and the manufacturer already stopped supplying some of the replacement parts for that model.

 

[careyo63]

Wow 10yrs. No parts in the US? What model is it or was it? That's insane they still in buisness. Sounds Doubtful.

 

[masseyrider]

Wow 10yrs. No parts in the US? What model is it or was it? That's insane they still in buisness. Sounds Doubtful.

My namesake, Massey Ferguson.
For the 2 MF563s that I traded in try and get a replacement fuel line or a front axle spindle or a number of other items.

 

[careyo63]

Vintage In this forum but A Massey 563 2006-2008 I can understand that!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Like the title says, what makes a tractor a vintage machine? I've not seen that defined on any tractor forums. I have a JD 4020, 1967 model year, that makes it 58 years old, is it a vintage machine? Is a tractor an antique? The definition of a vintage automobile is one manufacture between 1919 and 1930 but I find no mention of tractors, are they the same?

When you cannot get parts.

 

[sd455dan]

I've always considered 'vintage' tractors to be anything from before things were standardized. Things like the 3 point hitch, live PTOs, integrated hydraulics, and loaders with two evenly spaced plate steel arms with tilt/curl/power down. The 'variety' days if you will, when everybody was trying to work around everybody else's patents and you ended up with every manufacturer coming up with their own unique system that only worked with *their* implements (things like Case's Eagle hitch, for instance). And then anything from that era forward to roughly 30 years ago is merely 'antique'

The way I see it as well.

Sometime between the very late 1950's to the late 1960's most tractor makers integrated the "modern" standard basics.

Available power or assisted steering (need that for the FEL),
ability to get a normal looking FEL mounted up,
decent volume and pressure on the hydraulics ( 2 or 3 pumps),
2 stage clutch, or even a fully independent PTO, a 540 and maybe a 1000 RPM
transmissions manual with live clutch or powershift, no longer stuck with a groundspeed transmission locked to the PTO so no over running clutch needed,
gearing with enough spread in speed to run a tiller to roading the tractor,
decent standardized 3 point lift of at least 1500lb,
Lockable rear axle.
Lights.

This ignores the need to have MFWD, that took a while longer to be considered almost a necessity.