Diesel vs. Gas

Leever2000 · Apr 1, 2015

I plan to purchase my first tractor and was wondering what the pros and cons for diesel or gas tractor are?

My experience is limited at best. I intend to use for mowing small fields and plowing the drive in winter and post holes any other little jobs around the property etc...

Jim in Ma. · Apr 1, 2015

They both have their advantages. But without any input as to what you intend to use your tractor for I can't say.

Nick m · Apr 1, 2015

I like diesels, but do your research before you buy one. Some
of the older systems are hard to find parts for and can be
expensive to repair. If all a guy is doing is some gardening
and plowing snow, I'd go with gas also. If you're planning on
using something all day frequently, diesel is probably a better
choice, especially in the bigger 6 cylinder engines.

gene bender · Apr 1, 2015

what are you going to do with one when you get it. If no prior knowlege or you wouldnt be asking such a question it is hard to say. What experience do you have with one.

Hay hay hay · Apr 1, 2015

Don't get stuck in the "Macho Diesel Man" trap. HP is HP. Gas tractors are usually cheaper to buy and easier to work on. Gas often starts better in winter.
Diesel more economical to operate (fuel usage) for big jobs and all day operations. Either will do the job. For small, infrequent use, mowing small fields etc. either will do the job. I have both and understand the pro's and con's of each.

There are lots of small to medium sized very good older gas tractors. Most new tractors are diesel...maybe all?

DeltaRed · Apr 1, 2015

I like diesels. But we really need more info.What are your plans? How big a tractor?How old are you going with? Are you 'farming
hard',or just poopin' around the yard? Plowing snow in 10 below zero?Most,if not all tractors built since 1980(or earlier) are all diesel.IIRC,JD hasnt built a gas tractor since 72/73..

Married2Allis · Apr 1, 2015

Diesels have an injection pump which are mostly trouble free for long periods but when they start to wear, can be expensive to replace or rebuild. Generally diesels can run for many hours trouble free.

With gas, you'll have a carburetor, distributor/points or ignition, and spark plugs. Now and then you'll might have to clean the carb, replace/adjust the ignition (points), and check/replace the plugs -- a little more frequent to maintain but generally less expensive.

Because of high compression (example 16:1 vs. about 9:1 for gas) diesels are harder to start in cold temps and require a strong battery and more powerful starter, and may need help from an engine heater and a small shot of ether to get going. Gas tractors tend to start easier in the cold.

buickanddeere · Apr 1, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:40:19 04/01/15) I plan to purchase my first tractor and was wondering what the pros and cons for diesel or gas tractor are?

Any gas tractor is getting to be 40+ years old which means wear, tear and deteriation from age. A diesel newer than the mid to late 2000's is bogged with emissions equipment.
Pay me now or pay me later.

Leever2000 · Apr 1, 2015

I plan to purchase my first tractor and was wondering what the pros and cons for diesel or gas tractor are?

My experience is limited at best. I intend to use for mowing small fields and plowing the drive in winter and post holes any other little jobs around the property etc...

I plan to look at some tractors this weekend (1963 Ford 2000, 1982 International 254) less than 40 hp tractors.

vscummins · Apr 1, 2015

Guess it depends what your most familiar with diesels are a lot easier to work I think , somebody else might like to work on gas better .

Part Time Pete · Apr 1, 2015

From the sounds of what you intend to use it for, and the size you're looking for, I would think you would be better off with gas.
A couple other things you might want to look for is live (or independent) PTO and hydraulics and power steering. They make life much easier
Pete

Geo-TH,In · Apr 1, 2015

I hate diesels because the smell gives me a headache. They don't always like to start in
sub zero temps, need #1 fuel in winter and plugged in. I like gas because I can work on
the old school stuff and mine always start when it extremely cold.

If you know nothing about tractors, better get one from a dealer so can get it repaired.
Better have a truck and trailer to take it to the dealer.

Most of the new stuff is diesel. That's why I have a Farmall C, 1950, and a Jubilee,
1953. It's also the tractors I used as a kid. So that makes them priceless.

Deere54 · Apr 1, 2015

Budget, intended use and how handy are you. Sounds like you want a "user" rather than a "collector", so a 1950's-1970's major make (Deere, Ford, Massey, IH, Case, Allis) utility tractor (wide front end, hydraulics with three point, live or independent PTO and maybe a loader) in the 30-50 HP range would be the type you would want. Diesels were originally primarily intended for long heavy use and are more fuel efficient and durable for this type of use, but new Diesels were more expensive than equivalent gassers in initial cost. In the old days when gas and Diesel versions of the same tractor were offered this was a consideration, a tradeoff between higher first cost but lower operating costs versus a lower first cost but less fuel efficiency. For heavy work and where the tractor was intended to last a long time, the Diesels were felt to be worth it. Starting a Diesel should not be a big deal if you have a plug-in heater, and a battery, engine and electrical system in good condition. Newer tractors bigger than lawn tractors are generally all Diesel, so if you have a limited budget you may be able to find an older gasser such as a Ford Jubilee, Ferguson 35, Massey 135-165, Deere 820-1020, etc., which is less expensive, also easier to maintain yourself. Diesels need less maintenance than gassers, but when they do need work, it tends to be more complex and trickier. Gas, you can always throw plugs, points, cap, rotor and/or maybe a carb kit at it and call it good 80% of the time. The major makes such as Ford, for an everyday "user", are easier to get parts for and maintain, then the more exotic and "orphaned" makes, thus are better for "users" versus"collectors". .

sd pete · Apr 1, 2015

Get a gasser.

ss55 · Apr 1, 2015

For under 100 tachometer hours (at rated speed) per year and reliable winter starting, I'd look for a gas tractor.

LJS30 · Apr 1, 2015

In my opinion if you have a fairly small plot and are doing light duty in an orchard or field a gas tractor will do you just fine. However if you are working a legit piece of land and are discing, mowing, etc.....I would definitely go with diesel.

Leever2000 · Apr 1, 2015

It appears that gas is the way I should go, I am more familiar with gas due to never owning a diesel of any kind.
I assume the live or independent pto is one in the same?

Traditional Farmer · Apr 1, 2015

I have gas and diesels what I usually buy on is condition of tractor vs the price they're asking I'll buy a gas or diesel just what comes along at a good price.

Ultradog MN · Apr 1, 2015

Diesels Stink. The fuel stinks and the exhaust stinks.
And they're noisy.
Gasser is much nicer to be around.
But diesels are more reliable. Less messing around with them all the time - points, plugs, etc.
I'm going up to my land this weekend. Going to get my little Ford 3000 diesel out of the shed for the first time since October.
I'll put a battery in it and it WILL start and go to work.
Gasser you would have to dink with the points and maybe the carb to get it to run right.

vscummins · Apr 1, 2015

Don't ya know yer supposed to be like bill Clinton don't inhale ! Your not supposed to stick your nose over the exhaust / fuel can I think gas stinks worse than diesel in more ways than one .

LJS30 · Apr 1, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:22:35 04/01/15) Diesels Stink. The fuel stinks and the exhaust stinks.
And they're noisy.
Gasser is much nicer to be around.
But diesels are more reliable. Less messing around with them all the time - points, plugs, etc.
I'm going up to my land this weekend. Going to get my little Ford 3000 diesel out of the shed for the first time since October.
I'll put a battery in it and it WILL start and go to work.
Gasser you would have to dink with the points and maybe the carb to get it to run right.

Ultra personally I love the smell of diesel in the mornings!

Mike (WA) · Apr 1, 2015

An old dairyman I handled at Production Credit was allergic to diesel smoke. He was talking to the salesman down at the IH dealer back in the late 70's and mentioned that, and salesman said "Well, then if you're ever going to need a new tractor, you'd better buy this one- IH says its the last gas model we're ever going to get." It was a 4XX (424? 464? I'm not too good on IH numbers). He bought it on the spot, and used it until he died.

Personally, I like the smell of diesel smoke. The fuel, not so much, but I'll put up with it.

Married2Allis · Apr 1, 2015

I love the smell of Hytran and cow manure in the morning! Sweet aroma

Two Dogs · Apr 1, 2015

Go with gas and put Pertronix electronic ignition on it. No points problems then. It will start in any temperature. Also most anybody can fiddle with a simple carburetor and solve a gas problem. No so with diesel injection when it sulls on you. TDF

RandyB(MI) · Apr 1, 2015

For those uses stay with gas. Keep it out of the weather, drain fuel from carb when not in use and work it hard once in a while to get really warmed up and you won't have any problems. Basic common sense prevents most problems whether gas or diesel. Water , dirt and time can kill them all. Gas is easier and cheaper to fix.

buickanddeere · Apr 1, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:40:19 04/01/15) I plan to purchase my first tractor and was wondering what the pros and cons for diesel or gas tractor are?

My experience is limited at best. I intend to use for mowing small fields and plowing the drive in winter and post holes any other little jobs around the property etc...

As previously stated a gasser with a Pertronix replacement for the points while do just fine.
You will eventually wish that your tractor had a front end loader if your purchases doesn't include one.
There are a lot of hobby users that have said the heck with keeping an old bargain tractor running. They have bought a compact utility or sub compact utility 4X4 with a factory loader and warranty.
If your prospective tractor does not have live pto, live hydraulics, a proper three point hitch, good brakes, 12V electrical and a selective control valve. Pass on by and keep looking.
Beware, there is usually somebody out there trying to stick a Ford N series to a newbie.
Don't be keen and start mowing before July. The grass is full of song bird nests, wild turkey nests and young deer.

black · Apr 1, 2015

Well , you could have both at the same time if you buy an old Mcormick Dearing , one side of the engine is gas
that starts it, and the other side is diesel that it runs on . L.O.L.

Larry --ont.

Leroy · Apr 1, 2015

I cannot even stand to use the pump isle at station that has diesel because of the fumes from the spilled diesel. Years ago borrowed a small diesel from neighbor as it had a backhoe on it. When I went to work after running it a while in morning I knew I was not feeling good, When I got to work they said I was green. Ever since that time I cannot stand to be close to diesel. Even just following a truck down the road will make me sick.

Tx Jim · Apr 2, 2015

Since the majority of the sulphur has been removed from diesel I think the foul odor was also mostly removed. One can pour diesel on concrete and while the spot once left an oily mess now hardly leaves a noticeable stain.

Leroy · Apr 2, 2015

That stink is still found on the roads today and also still around the pumps.

Prawn Farmer · Apr 2, 2015

Hopefully, you'll end up with one of each! There is always room for another tractor accumulator uhmmm . . . I meant collector.

Bill(Wis) · Apr 3, 2015

Ford hundred series gassers, with proper care, will be running one hundred years from now. Just stay away from the dreaded "SOS" transmissions although I doubt there are many left. Educate yourself as to what size they were made in. Example: 660s/661s had a 134 cu in engine and a five speed trans w/live pto. A good choice unless you need more power. Then look for an 860/861 which had a 172 cu in engine. ETC. Good luck.

Diesel vs. Gas

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