New "old tractor"

[SodBuster87]

Okay so this has been brought up more times then I can count. About how the tractors companies should re-introduce this model or that model from the past. But heres a different take on things. There are so many companies out there making reproduction parts for tractors. Granted some makes and models have a more complete selection of parts than others. Some models you could quite easily build a new tractor from reproduction parts. Having said that for you or me to buy the parts individualy would be quite cost prohibitive. BUT if said reproduction parts manufacturer was to package the parts as a "kit" the cost would come down greatly. There are some parts would have to have new tooling made for, no doubt. However I would think that making new tooling for a couple parts would be cheaper then designing a tractor from scratch. As a side income these reproduction parts could be sold to restore old tractors. Only issue might be copy rights or patents. Which make/model you "copy" how long ago it was produced and if the company still exists and/or who owns the rights to that brand would affect this more than anything. Looking at the Tilmore and Tuffbilt tractors. Although they claim to be a "copy" of a G they are so removed from it they are own thing. Looking at the parts catalogs for Ford N series in part got me thinking about this. Now granted there would be "Sticker shock" especialy if coming from a small manufacture. But as demand increased cost would go down. However it would be a niche market. And as such the "G" "Cub" and other tractors which cater to truck gardens would be a safer bet. One other thing such a company could do us make whatever "improvements" backwards compatable.

For what its worth.
Sod Buster

 

[gene bender]

The "G" type is built now

 

[Traditional Farmer]

The price of nice older tractors don't bring a fraction of comparable new ones now,so I can't see people paying say 10K$ for a kit that they could go out and buy the exact same original version for 1K$.Plus the metal and materials used today are inferior to much that was used originally.

 

[rustyfarmall]

Enough aftermarket parts are available for the N series of Fords that yes, I think a guy could almost build a new tractor, but considering that MOST of those parts are made in China, I will almost guarantee that none of those parts will fit together. It would be extremely frustrating and time consuming.

 

[DeltaRed]

That's a good thought.M Farmall. 4020Johndeere.Ford 5000. The list could be endless......The good old reliable,simple'basic workhorses.

 

[kcm.MN]

Problem is, people don't seem to want basic anymore. Everything has to be plush and comfortable, spacious, super-attractive, LOTS of bells & whistles, etc. Folks these days wanna get in, turn on the GPS and let the machine do all the work. That's why the automated (driverless) tractors are just around the corner.

Guess I'm a warped fool, but I'll take an old, simple, reliable and lower-cost workhorse ANY day over these new-fangled, plastic-covered, made-anywhere-but-here machines!

 

[Crazy Horse]

Years ago (many years ago) Dirt Bike Magazine did something like that, on paper anyways. They priced out a Honda dirt bike as if you bought all the parts from
the parts department at your local Honda shop. I don't remember the numbers but I do remember the price was unbelievably/ridiculously high. And that was for a
new Honda when all the parts were available, it wouldn't even be feasible with an old tractor I don't think. Consider the price of making up a new
transmission/differential casting nowadays. And then think how many you might be able to sell. I wouldn't think many would invest in a scheme like that.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Demand for old tractors is DECREASING. Predominantly "old guys" make up the market, and there are fewer and fewer old guys around every day.

When so many of the old machines are going to the scrapyard because nobody wants them, how can you hope to market a "kit" for a tractor that nobody wants, at 10X the cost?

Besides, any "new-old" tractor made today would have to comply with modern emissions, environmental, and safety standards. The new-old tractor would bear no resemblance to its ancestor, and would in fact be pretty much identical (and cost at least as much) as the current model.

If you want an example of a "new-old" tractor, look at the CaseIH Farmall 140A. It is a Ford 7710 underneath, but modernized with a shuttle shift, modern engine, and modern safety features.

 

[jeffcat]

Like 1978 when my dad worked part time at a tractor dealer, they did
that same thing in the parts department with a CUB. Trying to remember
but about a 4K tractor was over 12K and climbing when they got bored
and stopped. Still can't get over how a 3 or 4 cent screw should cost
25 cents in a little paper envelope.

 

[David G]

Most people want tractors with conveniences like fuel injection, live hydraulics, live PTO, power steering, 3 point, collectors are dying, so not viable.

I am surprised the new compact tractors are not moving to direct gas injection instead of diesel.

 

[SodBuster87]

(quoted from post at 07:51:03 07/30/18)

Besides, any "new-old" tractor made today would have to comply with modern emissions, environmental, and safety standards. The new-old tractor would bear no resemblance to its ancestor, and would in fact be pretty much identical (and cost at least as much) as the current model.

If you want an example of a "new-old" tractor, look at the CaseIH Farmall 140A. It is a Ford 7710 underneath, but modernized with a shuttle shift, modern engine, and modern safety features.

Normally I would agree but somebody found a way around this with the Jeep CJ. I'm sure you could find a work around with a tractor if you looked hard enough. People buy what is availible. People buy brand new because they are scared of a tractor that is 50-60 or more years old with an unknown maintainence record. Not because they don't like the design.

 

[Phil in Pa]

Reminds me of the new Massey 35 being made in other parts of the world. Pretty cool.
New Massey 35

 

[fred goodrich]

That new 35 is interesting I wonder how many US dollars one would cost. New Holland tried it with an 8n but didn't last and they haven't increased in value yet.