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For tech-weary Midwest farmers, 40-year-old tractors now a hot commodity
Star Tribune ^ | 5 Jan 2020 | Adam Belz

Posted on 01/10/2020 8:59:45 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT

Tractors built in 1980 or earlier cause bidding wars at auctions.

...last bought a new tractor, he opted for an old one — a 1979 John Deere 4440.

He retrofitted it with automatic steering guided by satellite, and he and his kids can use the tractor to feed cows, plant fields and run a grain auger. The best thing? The tractor cost $18,000, compared to upward of $150,000 for a new tractor. And Folland doesn’t need a computer to repair it.

“They cost a fraction of the price, and then the operating costs are much less because they’re so much easier to fix,”

“The newer machines, any time something breaks, you’ve got to have a computer to fix it,”

“The main reason we do this is to make money,” Folland said. “Older equipment is a way to reduce your cost per bushel to become more profitable.”

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Yup,
I’m sad I traded
My ‘05 Wrangler
and ‘98 Econoline off
For a SuperDuty
But That new Truck
Will Get Me
The Hell
Out of
California!


61 posted on 01/10/2020 10:48:59 AM PST by Big Red Badger (Despised by the Despicable!)
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To: dhs12345

My 65s F134 may not be a powerhouse but it will keep going.


62 posted on 01/10/2020 10:50:00 AM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

You’ll get my Case 444 when you pry it from my cold, dead, greasy hands!


63 posted on 01/10/2020 10:54:43 AM PST by NativeSon ( What Would Virginia Do? #WWVD)
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To: Big Red Badger

Still have my 2004 Rubicon with only 24,000 miles. Will never sell it. Would love to leave California, but wife and family keep me here. One sister just moved to Colorado.


64 posted on 01/10/2020 10:56:47 AM PST by Mat_Helm
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To: tomkat

I’m just south of Moline Illinois, home of John Deere. My son in law comes from a family that “bleeds green and wants to be burried in Moline”. He does R&D worldwide for them. He claims the 318 is the best tractor in its class ever built.


65 posted on 01/10/2020 10:58:26 AM PST by CrazyIvan (The Democrat party. A collaboration of Cloward-Piven and Dunning-Kruger.)
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To: Yardstick

Not just cars. I’m in my shop with my ‘97 BMW motorcycle. It’s getting its 100K go over. It has EFI and ABS. That’s all the modern technology I want. The new bikes have way too many gadgets for me. I’m 65 and hope to put another 100K on it.


66 posted on 01/10/2020 11:07:32 AM PST by CrazyIvan (The Democrat party. A collaboration of Cloward-Piven and Dunning-Kruger.)
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To: CrazyIvan; tomkat

318,317 and a 316. My grandchildren will be using these. A snowblower, 54 blade and a newer deck for the 316.
Grass, snow or dirt stand no chance.


67 posted on 01/10/2020 11:09:09 AM PST by BigpapaBo (If it don't kill you it'll make you _________!)
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To: Mat_Helm

I heard that
“Old Road”
A’Callin’,,,
.
I cringe when
Asked,
“ would you like to
Buy a Bag?”


68 posted on 01/10/2020 11:32:48 AM PST by Big Red Badger (Despised by the Despicable!)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

“Digital controls are not always better.”

ESPECIALLY on basic devices that don’t really need them and where rugged, bullet-proof reliability is needed

i always bought washers and dryers with mechanical timer knobs rather than expensive-to-repair, failure-prone “digital” controls

i marveled at the main washplant pump that kept failing on the Ness crew on “Gold Rush”, where the mechanic finally pulled of huge amounts of grotesquely complex exhaust controls and then had to connect the pump to his laptop and make digital settings to trick the pump into thinking all that failure-prone garbage was still attached and functioning correctly ...


69 posted on 01/10/2020 11:45:05 AM PST by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
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To: wally_bert

I still have my 06 Grand Cherokee as well. It’s busted and it’s on my project list. All my GF’s told me to sell it for salvage but I keep saying no.


70 posted on 01/10/2020 11:53:26 AM PST by max americana (Fired ONE libtard at work at every election since 2008 because I enjoy them crying)
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To: TheNext

“Rent, not Own.”

depends on the terms and ALWAYS read. That’s why people OWN. It’s the conservative way unless you have your own reasons. I had a lease term once for a Mercedes and because I didnt read the SMALL fine print, I CANNOT take it out of the city which was ridiculous.


71 posted on 01/10/2020 11:56:52 AM PST by max americana (Fired ONE libtard at work at every election since 2008 because I enjoy them crying)
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To: Fightin Whitey

“I have purchased three jeeps and a Scout over the years and regretted every one.”

I owned (and still own) around 4 Jeep models. Nothing beats driving a 4x4 when I drive to the desert. But you have to know the in and outs of the Jeep or you are screwed. AAA rarely goes to the desert lol


72 posted on 01/10/2020 12:01:07 PM PST by max americana (Fired ONE libtard at work at every election since 2008 because I enjoy them crying)
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To: CrazyIvan

Good point about ABS. That’s the other biggie that happened back then.

So I agree — EFI and ABS and nothing more.

I might hedge a little and admit that I wouldn’t mind having airbags in my classic ‘80s cars, but on the other hand I definitely prefer their minimalist steering wheels with no pudgy bump in the center.


73 posted on 01/10/2020 12:08:51 PM PST by Yardstick
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To: max americana

I’d hold on to it.

At the end of this month I hope to send one jeep body tub off for patching and powder coat. Painting is not my thing.

With the tub back, I can start putting it together. Dad will have a 304 for me at some point.

Tonight is order a new fuel tank and related for the Willys.

Just Empty Every Pocket - Jeep.


74 posted on 01/10/2020 12:24:47 PM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
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To: Alas Babylon!

My dad and uncle aren’t in the tractor building and selling thing much from what I gather.

If you’d like a good Massey Ferguson and truck it from SC, maybe a deal for you. I can’t speak for them but I could ask depending on what you’d like.


75 posted on 01/10/2020 12:31:19 PM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT
Technology always comes at a price. And sometimes it's not worth it.

My dad insisted he could make money farming with a double team of draft horses.

I always responded that he could only say that because it was a double team of horses ... and four "volunteer" sons ...

76 posted on 01/10/2020 12:34:22 PM PST by IronJack
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I worked in the JD electronics dept for 28 years. I fully understand the attraction for the older 40 Series vs New.


77 posted on 01/10/2020 12:47:21 PM PST by IAGeezer912 (One out of every 20 people on the face of the earth are Americans. We have won life's lottery.)
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To: GOPJ

Buy this but and for the best washer dryer on the market without the bells and whistles!
https://speedqueen.com/


78 posted on 01/10/2020 12:55:42 PM PST by 9422WMR
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To: glorgau
"In effect, you’re not buying a tractor, you’re buying a yearly license to operate a machine."

BINGO..!! WE HAVE A WINNER...!!

79 posted on 01/10/2020 12:56:03 PM PST by unread (A REPUBLIC..! if you can keep it....)
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To: wally_bert
My uncle had and old land rover and it would only do 50mph top speed. But it was great for off road. It even had an auger for post holes that would connect into the drive shaft.
80 posted on 01/10/2020 1:47:34 PM PST by dhs12345
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