picassomcp
Member
I am thinking about upgrading to 1 newer tractor to do the majority of the work around my place vs. keeping 3-4 older ones up and running. I currently make about 60 acres of hay, 2 cuttings per year sometimes 3. I am currently running an IH 756d (currently down with a spun rod bearing) and a 706 gasser mainly as my round baler tractors as well as my tillage machines. I also have a 460d that I use on the haybine and the v rake along with the small square baler. I also have a 400 Farmall gasser and a C. It seems like these tractors are just nickel and dimeing me constantly. a battery each year, oil changes, maybe a tire repair, shifter parts, etc. or something simple that goes to heck in the field just before a rain. These tractors are 50 years old. Always something that goes to heck when I really need the tractor. When I jump on one of these and head to the field I just don't feel confident that I'm not gonna have a breakdown. That feeling kind of takes the fun out of running these old machines. I have done some research and for about $25k I can get a nearly new Farmall 90 that is 2wd and open station, similiar to my current 756. If I can buy this tractor and get say even 40 years out of it, thats pretty cheap per year. I do understand that there will be maintenance costs, but do you think there will be much for repair costs? And if I were to sell even just a few of my current tractors, the initial cost of the new one could be even $15k.
I'm not the type that needs "new" what I really want is reliability so that I can really enjoy my time in the field. Can that be found in todays newer tractors? If I should buy one, it will be a tier 3 model, I want no part of the tier 4 emmisions.
Any thoughts?
I'm not the type that needs "new" what I really want is reliability so that I can really enjoy my time in the field. Can that be found in todays newer tractors? If I should buy one, it will be a tier 3 model, I want no part of the tier 4 emmisions.
Any thoughts?