quality of cheap guages

JRSutton · Feb 23, 2016

I've been thinking about replacing my gas gauge on a farmall 560, maybe some of the others.

As I shop around I keep seeing the gauge sets on ebay - the entire set of 5 gauges including the larger tach with hour meter - the entire set priced close to one single gas gauge from other sources.

Does anybody know for sure if there's a difference in the quality of the gauges?

I don't mind paying more for quality, as long as it IS better quality.

Would like to hear your experiences

rrlund · Feb 23, 2016

From what I gather,some of the cheap stuff isn't even calibrated.

CenTex Farmall · Feb 23, 2016

Are you talking about "reproduction" type gauges with the correct markings?

Dad had bought some of those for his 560 including a tach and we were well less than impressed. The tach did not correctly at all. IIRC the ones he bought came from India. He didn't buy from ebay, instead they came from one of the known tractor parts suppliers.

Myself, I have given up on the reproduction gauges for work tracors and use higher quality Stewart Warner or Auto Meter gauges. They're not "correct" but they hold up to the vibration and dust, especially the liquid filled gauges.

There may be other suppliers that have both quality and correct looking but I haven't found them yet.

fixerupper · Feb 23, 2016

As a whole, the high priced gauges are worth the money though I don't know if there is a gauge made today that has the quality and durability of the old gauges.

JOCCO · Feb 23, 2016

Fixer upper and cen farmall pretty much nailed it. I don't know where you can even buy gauges like the old stewart warner now a days. Some of this stuff was so bad it did not work Taiwan made $7.99. Now mast stores stop carrying them as its all computer and lights.

gab · Feb 23, 2016

I put 4 new gauges on my Super C about 15 years ago, one came from the dealer and three are the nice looking reproduction gauges. The dealer gauge, coolant temp, hasn't moved in years, oil gauge fluctuates at idle so does the amp. meter and the hyd. temp. has never worked but that might be normal.

Dalex · Feb 23, 2016

I bought a set of the Indian gauges from Ebay . I installed them in my Case VC , and have been happy with them this far . No Fogging or water leaks, and the accuracy/calibration seems about right .

JRSutton · Feb 23, 2016

by the way, yes, when I said ebay I was referring to the india made gauges - I'll post a link

I've purchased other "good" tractor gauges in the past, and they look an awful lot like the cheap india gauges.

I just have a sneaking suspicion that if I go pay 40 bucks for a "good" fuel gauge, what I'm going to get is a $10 indian gauge, maybe in a nicer box.

I'm still on the fence...
ebay gauges

rrlund · Feb 23, 2016

There is an outfit called Evergreen Restoration that has gauges that are calibrated. Search them. All they show when the website pops up is Deere gauges,but they've advertised in Hart Parr Oliver Collector quite a lot,claiming they have them for most all brands I guess. They might be somebody to check with if you want quality.

Bob Bancroft · Feb 23, 2016

I guess my thought at this point is to consider the seller as much as the item. I want to deal with someone who will stand behind their product- either replace it, or take it back, without a lot of long distance hassle.

I am stuck with a $200 tractor radiator(which I bought for price, on line) which doesn't fit. Never again.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 23, 2016

I am continually amazed at the equipment I pick up from time to time, virtually all of which has gauges that are malfunctioning. When you see a "perfectly good tractor" being hauled into the scrap yard, one of those guys is the culprit. Seriously working equipment without good functioning gauges is asking for trouble. You are wise to be willing to pay more for good calibrated gauges. A cheap gauge is a foolish purchase.

rustyfarmall · Feb 23, 2016

(quoted from post at 14:15:09 02/23/16) by the way, yes, when I said ebay I was referring to the india made gauges - I'll post a link

I've purchased other "good" tractor gauges in the past, and they look an awful lot like the cheap india gauges.

I just have a sneaking suspicion that if I go pay 40 bucks for a "good" fuel gauge, what I'm going to get is a $10 indian gauge, maybe in a nicer box.

I'm still on the fence...
ebay gauges

Be aware that not just any fuel gauge labled for a 560 will work. The fuel gauge and the tank sending unit work together as a "team". If I remember right, IH bought the units from 2 different suppliers, and the sending unit from 1 supplier will not work with a gauge from the other supplier.

JOCCO · Feb 23, 2016

JR you do know that in many cases those gauges are just any old gauge with the face put on it like a yellow oliver one???? So you can see how calibration can be off and if you start with a junk gauge well??

Kent Petersen · Feb 23, 2016

Don;t know about other brands but i got some of them Indian made gauges dam junk i run JDs and there oil guage will only show L just above stop running at top speed heat gauges also not calibrated i get mine at evergreen they are right. PS i check all psi will master gauge

Ted in NE-OH · Feb 23, 2016

One of the qualities you want in a tractor gauge is waterproof.

gab · Feb 23, 2016

Forty bucks for five gauges? They can't be worth putting in can they.

dr sportster · Feb 24, 2016

Stewart-Warner

quality of cheap guages

JRSutton

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rrlund

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CenTex Farmall

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fixerupper

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JOCCO

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gab

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Dalex

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JRSutton

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rrlund

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Bob Bancroft

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Dave H (MI)

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rustyfarmall

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JOCCO

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Kent Petersen

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Ted in NE-OH

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gab

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dr sportster

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