Author
Sal 02-19-2001 05:55:25 139.127.213.224 Report to Moderator	My dad and I were in the tractor shop this weekend and were looking at the new tractors in the 20 - 30 hp range...I never did this before and I was shocked to look at the prices on them! It was really easy to spend $20k to $30K on one and still spend more on accessories. Yes it would be nice at time to have a live clutch and some of the other features...but, for $20K we could really spruce up our 8Ns and have a lot left over. The new ones are nice and I wouldn't turn one away, but they are a bit too much $ for me...I love my N even more. I think I am just about over the sticker shock now. [Reply]   [No Email]
Al English 02-19-2001 09:18:34 24.30.29.47 Report to Moderator	Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Sal, 02-19-2001 05:55:25   Other than observation I have no data to support what I'm going to say, but here's what I think. Those of us who work on things and keep these old tractors runnung are a minority that's getting smaller. The bulk of the people buying new utility tractors are younger, relatively affluent, non-mechanical people who want to plow their driveway, till their garden, and maybe move a litle dirt or pull a wagon. They want the tractor, they have the money, and they have no desire to spend their time learning about and fixing an old tractor. I've got so many fix-up projects that at times I've wondered if they haven't got the right idea...Al English [Reply]  [No Email]
Claus 02-19-2001 10:56:34 209.214.73.90 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Al English, 02-19-2001 09:18:34   I do not agree with your scenario..These are both mine. One I bought brand new last year. At least I can buy parts for both at the same Dealer. Happy Motoring CLaus [Reply]  [No Email]
Dave 50 8n 02-19-2001 15:35:21 209.79.223.139 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Claus, 02-19-2001 10:56:34   Claus, Can you post some close up pics of your FNH ROPS connection to the tractor? I'd like to compare it to the ROPS on my N. Mine attaches to the cast trumpets. It also looks like my "hoop" is constructed of the same/similar stock as your new tractor. Can't find my specs now, but it looks like it's 2" square stock. thanks, Dave [Reply]  [No Email]
Claus 02-20-2001 03:50:18 209.214.70.72 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Dave 50 8n, 02-19-2001 15:35:21   Yes, I can do it... but give me a day so I can take a picture of the ROPS.. Happy Motoring Claus [Reply]  [No Email]
Al English 02-19-2001 11:31:36 24.30.29.47 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Claus, 02-19-2001 10:56:34   Claus, what I said was: "The bulk of the people buying new utility tractors are".......Obveously the people participating in this forum, and especially someone who has your experience, is not the typical hands-off-the-machinery buyer I was describing. No offense intended. Driving around in Michigan farm country I see most of the new utility tractors setting next to new houses, owned by a younger couple, with at least two late model cars in the driveway, and a most likely boat and/or a couple of snowmobiles as well. I seldom see one on a "real" farm. Rather than spending their time fixing what they would consider to be a 50 year old piece of worn out junk they have made the decision to spend their time and money in other ways. My observation...Al English [Reply]  [No Email]
yes Al, there's nothing wrong with... 02-19-2001 09:58:50 206.243.130.227 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Al English, 02-19-2001 09:18:34   with rolling up the sleeves and digging into a repair manual, asking questions and learning along the way. Seems like todays world is so fast, that time to repair and self-educate is hard to find or prioritize. What happened to the time when things were simpler, and life was slower? For me, it's a conscious choice, to self educate, self do-it, self fix it, build it, construct it, and learn it. The journey isn't measured at the completion of it, but along the way. [Reply]  [No Email]
bj/8N/mt 02-20-2001 06:54:42 205.188.198.179 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to yes Al, there's nothing wrong with..., 02-19-2001 09:58:50   concur the west wasn't settled with a check book and a mastercard it is largely a question of how you want to spend your time [Reply]  [No Email]
Sal, you have a good point 02-19-2001 07:47:02 206.243.129.105 Report to Moderator	Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Sal, 02-19-2001 05:55:25   supports my theory of two tractors for less than the cost of a new one. With a little TLC, rebuilding to specs a N or 100 Series still will compete well with performance and task accomplishment. Key word is compete. I wouldn't turn down a new Kubota, and with a lot of care, storage, and maintenenance, it should go the distance. But I like to see these old red and grey things working away myself. [Reply]  [No Email]
bj/8N/mt 02-19-2001 06:59:34 64.12.104.44 Report to Moderator	Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Sal, 02-19-2001 05:55:25   I frequently recommend a trip to the new tractor shop to people who post that they are fed up with their 8N's--definitely a sobering experience in terms of "bang for your buck" in new tractors Northern Hydralics has new twenty horse chinese diesels for 6K plus "get it here". doubt many of them will be around in fifty years [Reply]  [No Email]
ED 02-19-2001 07:43:21 209.100.82.120 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to bj/8N/mt, 02-19-2001 06:59:34   I have a friend who is an excavator. Every year in the spring, his boss goes to seatle for an equiptment auction. The equipment is varies by country of origin, but there is a great deal of chinese grey market stuff, which he used to buy a lot of. These were new machines which were left running at the factory for a couple of hours, so they could be imported into the country as used. Being that they were classified as used, they didn't need to meet US safety standards. He no longer purchases the chinese stuff because it is too expensive to keep up. Cast parts especially he says are quick to break. [Reply]  [No Email]
chuck 02-19-2001 06:40:37 207.172.11.147 Report to Moderator	Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Sal, 02-19-2001 05:55:25   Every time I have one of those rare "big" expenditures on my 8N (Definition: over $50.00) I think about walking around a tractor showroom and the prices I see. I then double the size of my purchase for the old girl and still feel miles ahead financially. chuck 436244 [Reply]  [No Email]
ED 02-19-2001 06:16:45 209.100.82.120 Report to Moderator	Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to Sal, 02-19-2001 05:55:25   which brand were you looking at? I started by looking at Kubota and experienced the same shock at 18 g just for the tractor! Someone on this board had recomended work horse tractors? They seem to be a chinese import. And, if you do get one with all the bells and whistles, no reason you cant keep the old N [Reply]  [No Email]
Sal 02-19-2001 06:47:04 139.127.213.224 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: $$$ of New Tractors. in reply to ED, 02-19-2001 06:16:45   I was looking at Fords mainly. I could keep the N around if I got a new tractor, but the new ones are a bit too expensive for me, I like 'em, but that amount of money is an issue...yikes...I did register to win a Boomer with loader...who know's. Thanks For now I will be happy to put a few dollars into the N's. [Reply]  [No Email]