A lot of farmers are buying up classic tractors for less than one 6th of new and fixing them up and working them.
That is..tractors from the 60s, 70s and early 80s.
Dam tractor manufacturers are refusing to allow farmers to get hold of the computer program to diagnose problems.
So what would you do? Buy a farm tractor for over 300 grand and have the SOB break down and have to get a factory tech out to see what the hells wrong with it? Or would you sooner buy a old used tractor for 20 to 30 grand, put some money into it and run it knowing you can work on it.
I will take a Ford 9600 or similar over the new “NEW Hollands” any day. After all, Fiat owns New Holland as well as several of the other brands.
The trouble with the old tractors is getting parts. My old Ford 4000 workhorse had a fuel pump go. Couldn’t find one at any price. Some people listed them and what they would cost but when it came time to order, it was always, ‘out of stock.’
Another big big problem with the old ones is metal fatigue. The seats give way and you suddenly find yourself under the tractor and about to be run over by what it is you are running... bush hog, sickle bar, etc.
Leading cause of death, I have heard. If you have an oldie, replace the seat and hang the old one on the barn wall.