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Worst Tractor Ever Built?

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Walter Squires

12-20-2004 08:55:29

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After reading the article about expertmental tractors I just got to wondering, "What was the bigest failure ever sold in a production tractor"?
Keep in mind what worked good in one part of the country did'nt in another.
Be honest and have fun....

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Can't even use my name

12-21-2004 17:46:35

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Boy I tell ya being a Case man right now is great! Not a single person has even mentioned a Case as being the worst tractor. And for good reason obviously! Of course the oldest we have is a 401 diesel then a '69 (I think) gas 830 and 70 or 90 series there up. Go Case!

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JD 5020 guy

12-21-2004 18:07:17

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Can't even use my name, 12-21-2004 17:46:35

Okay how about this one. My neighbor just dumped his Case 2670 in death row behind his farm because it had become nothing but a money pit these last few years. Transmission went out on it which was just one of the problems it had. None of the dealers, even the Case dealers would take it on trade even if he had it fixed. He bought a used JD 7800 for baling big squares and will probably buy a used Versatile 800 series sometime down the road because they are cheap to work on and reliable. Plus, I heard Case had a few problems with the COM on their first tractors.

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Gordon in IN

12-21-2004 12:43:53

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

My vote is for the JD - M. The one that I had experience with could not get back to the field after fixing it without "something else breaking". It did, however. make any other tractor look "real good".

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Leroy

12-21-2004 05:51:23

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Where everybody is complaining about the 2010 JD what was so bad about it? Gas engine same as in combine with the sleeve deck and a great engine. Uncle had a 2010 Deisel utility that I drove, it was the most neglected and abused tractor ever and kept on going, the only thing other than I don't like a deisel at any time is that it was unconfortable to use but in the row crop version that problem was taken care of, right now I would like to have a 2010 row crop with wide front end and gas engine

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i r baboon

12-23-2004 13:20:55

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Leroy, 12-21-2004 05:51:23

leroy, when our 2010 diesel was new, hydraulics were so weak it wouldnt lift a mower, or pull a postholedigger out of the ground. deere recalled them for a Fix

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Mitchissippi

12-21-2004 12:08:03

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Visual Aid in reply to Leroy, 12-21-2004 05:51:23

Here's a pic of my cousin's 2010. All he does is move round bales with. It was in bad shape when he bought it about 10 years ago.

At one time, he had this one and a Ford 6000. A parts man once looked up at him and asked "How did you end up with THE two worst tractors ever built?"

"I've always been lucky like that." he replied.

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Dick2

12-21-2004 04:55:59

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The tractor that we had the most trouble with on our farm was unquestionably the 1948 JD G that Dad bought new. It is the last JD tractor we ever had.

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JDknut

12-21-2004 04:11:38

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Probably the worst was the old Minnesota Ford (not related to Henry) in the 19-teens, that was so bad it indirectly led to the establishment of the Nebraska Tractor Tests. Other notable candidates for tractors that "laid an egg", are the 1961-63 Ford Commander 6000 (engines and trannies), the early Deere 1010's and 2010's (the infamous "sleeve-and-deck", Diesels worst, gassers presumably better), early (1958-59) IH 560's (final drive failures field-rebuilt in "tent cities" due to not enough dealer shop capacity), 1959-63 Deere 8010's (trannies and clutches, all recalled by Mother Deere and rebuilt to improved "8020" specifications), early (circa 1947) IH TD-24 bulldozers (trannies and final drives), IH TD-30 'dozers circa 1962 (final drives), altho the last two more properly belong to the construction equipment classification.

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I Bleed Green

12-20-2004 15:00:10

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The Fordson

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buickanddeere

12-20-2004 14:56:20

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The early models of the diesel 2010 Deere were no prize. However the last year of production was much improved but the damage was done to the name. Deere to thier credit, rapidly pulled the 2010 from the market and replaced it with the fine 2020 etc whose excellent decendents were built at Dubuque and Mannheim Germany up to the 55 series in the early 1990's. The early versions of the 5000 and 5010 series of Deere utility tractors should have cost some engineers and executives a demotion to yard care and janitorial work around the factories. IH has cost a pile of farmer a fortune in money rebuilt T/A's and final drives. More grief than Deere's two market blunders.

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Jak

12-20-2004 14:28:59

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Here in west TN the talk was the 2010 JD was junk because of the hydraulics and the 6000 Commander Ford was a dud because of the transmission troubles.Basically these are the only two tractors that I have heard of that one needed to stay away from purchasing in this area,can't speak for the rest of the nation.There was a 6000 Commander at a show in Paducah KY back in September that was painted and restored that really looked good,it had several people crowded around it at times.I guess it would be a conversation piece.Jack(TN).

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Jeff Oliver

12-20-2004 16:15:31

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Jak, 12-20-2004 14:28:59

Hey jack, I know where another one of those is. dad's neighbor in the double wide has one he got from Larry. 6000 Commander with Selec-to-speed. had to have the tranny gone through but seems to be doing ok now i think. He is wanting to get rid of it though as he acquiered a M-F that is in good shape. ya oughta look into it so you can have a show tractor to go along with that odd ball green puller ya got..LOL!!!!

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Jak

12-21-2004 04:19:23

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Jeff Oliver, 12-20-2004 16:15:31

Jeff I forgot about that tractor,theres a good one for someone to have.I don't need it,my plate is full and falling off the edges.Being the proud new owner of a 49 H farmall,55 Super 88 Ollie,and restoring the 52G,49A of your fathers'I have to make an appointment just to eat supper,ha ha.Has the Cummins mechanic got the power stroke fixed yet?He'll be wanting to convert brands after fixing that Ford.Jack

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Jeff Oliver

12-21-2004 15:53:18

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Jak, 12-21-2004 04:19:23

I took the parts up to him Monday so he should have it done if he got the chance to work on it. Not in a big hurry for it though and I don't se him converting, he is a little odd like that ..HAHAHAHA!

I think we just acquiered a AC WC today, the one he had up at his house for sale. Dad said he was supposed to bring it down today but it's not here and I'm not sure if I have a hole for it anyway. On the up side, we got the 630 out and the wheels in so sometime this weekend they should be ready. I called the man about the hood but so far no reply today.

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Jim.UT

12-20-2004 12:06:49

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

OK, here's a story I've read a few times, but not enough to get it 100% correct. I'll give it a shot.

Some shyster in Michigan or Minnesota wanted to cash in on the tractor craze in the early part of the 20th Century when tractors were brand new. He had an employee by the last name of Ford so he registered the name "Ford Tractor Company" so he could capitalize on the Ford name. He built some crappy tractors and sold them. This is the reason Henry Ford's first tractors had to be sold as "Fordson" because the Ford name had already been taken. A farmer/legislator in Nebraska bought one of these so-called Ford tractors and had such a bad experience with it that he was the moving force behind a Nebraska law requiring any tractor manufacturer to submit their product to the University of Nebraska for some independent testing before they could be sold in that state. Since Nebraska's agricultural machinery market was so lucrative, every manufacturer wanted to be licensed to sell tractors there and that's why we have the "Nebraska Tests" to refer to today.

Those are the basics of the story. Someone with real knowledge can flesh out the details.

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nomoredeere

12-21-2004 11:45:46

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Jim.UT, 12-20-2004 12:06:49

the JD fwd with hydraulical frontdrive

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jhill

12-20-2004 12:44:58

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Jim.UT, 12-20-2004 12:06:49

you have the story right as I understand it. I think there were other tractors just as bad during that era, Just a bunch of parts thrown together and put on the market. Another was the original Froelich predecessore of the Waterloo Boy. I think 3 were made and all were returned to the factory.

The Ford Selecto Speed design team was lead by Harold Brock who later moved to Deere and helped desin the JD powershift which is the same basic design. I think the Selectro speed was just rushed into production too fast.

In more modern tractors I think the 2010 JD diesel was as bad as any but every body has had some problems over the years as was said its how well the manufacturer stood behind it.

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Indydirtfarmer

12-21-2004 09:31:30

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to jhill, 12-20-2004 12:44:58

You've got your "facts" a little mixed up. Brock didn't lead Fords developement of the SOS. He was FIRED from Ford for telling Henry Ford (who wanted the SOS in production) that it was JUNK and not ready for sales. Brock was in charge of engineering and production of the N series Fords. When He left Ford, and went to Deere, they already had a powershift transmission in the developemental stages. Brock took command of engineering on the 3010 and 4010 "New Generation" tractors. He persuaded Deere corperate leaders into waiting untill 1963, with the introduction of the 1964 model 4020/3020 to release the powershift. It has been a VERY reliable, VERY popular transmission, that stayed in production (in one form or another) for nearly 40 years.

The planetary transmission wasn't a new idea when Ford OR Deere started developing it for use on farm tractors. The idea tha Deere "stole" the idea from Ford is preposterous....

Fords SOS couldn't hold up to hard use behind a 40 HP 4 cylinder. Deere used the powershift with great success coupled to 200+HP engines.

MAJOR differences in design...John

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WHOA!

12-20-2004 20:05:47

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to jhill, 12-20-2004 12:44:58

Man you got John Deere engineers rollin over in their graves right now by sayin the Powershift was the same basic design as a Ford Select-O- Speed.Deere engineers were very quick to point out there was no resemblance to a Ford when the first Powershift came out.That was definitely a topic of discussion at Deere training centers in 1964.That is about the same as comparing an apple with a lemon.Well they are both fruit I guess.

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Rob in Mo.

12-20-2004 20:33:36

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to WHOA!, 12-20-2004 20:05:47

The Ford 6000was a piece of junk without a doubt one of the worst ever built.The original Ford which had no connection to the Henry Ford family and led to the Nebraska test may have been the worst of all. However, I sure wish I had one sitting in my Shed right now.

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Jim.UT

12-21-2004 09:03:26

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rob in Mo., 12-20-2004 20:33:36

Yeah, ain't that the truth! Funny how all the "duds" become valuable collectors items.

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Allan in NE

12-20-2004 12:55:42

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to jhill, 12-20-2004 12:44:58

Jhill,

"In more modern tractors I think the 2010 JD diesel was as bad as any..... . "

Right. How did they get the authorization to even call that thing a tractor? More like a toy with training wheels.

Allan

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12-20-2004 13:36:35

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Allan in NE, 12-20-2004 12:55:42

Now Allan, Is this a tru story, or you just bashin them green tractors?
Jim

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Allan in NE

12-20-2004 14:36:07

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to JT, 12-20-2004 13:36:35

Hi Jim,

This be a true one. Indy John, of all people, will back me up on this one. :>)

They were just about a totally worthless tractor.

Allan

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Indydirtfarmer

12-20-2004 15:44:30

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Allan in NE, 12-20-2004 14:36:07

Allan? Why are you saying these things?

OK, I'll back you up. Deere rushed the 2010 into production without enough testing. They were trying to get the 4010 and 3010 on the market. They were the focal point of the "New Generation" tractors.

They should have waited on the 2010. Later production models had most of the troubles worked out. By that time, the damage was done. The 2020 was about as good as the 2010 was bad...

Every brand has at least one model they'd just as soon forget about. (IH has more than Deere!) John

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WHOA!

12-20-2004 20:13:16

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 12-20-2004 15:44:30

You gotta remember the 1010 and 2010 were built where? in Daubuque(sp?)The same place as the other misfits with green and yellow paint were built.Ever work on one of those misfit hydraulic systems?Remember the 435 Diesel?Their engineers were the ones who flunked of of Waterloo.

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Indydirtfarmer

12-21-2004 05:04:10

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First off, It;'s Dubuque... in reply to WHOA!, 12-20-2004 20:13:16

And then consider that ONLY the 2010 (diesel)earned a bad rep....The 1010 was a great little tractor. Then take into consideration that the 435 is one of the most sought after tractors on the collectors market. Nothing wrong with them in my book.

The Dubuque "utility's" are among the best small to mid-sized tractors ever built, with the sole exception of EARLY PRODUCTION 2010 diesels. John

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buickanddeere

12-21-2004 06:25:05

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Re: First off, It;'s Dubuque... in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 12-21-2004 05:04:10

The only problems with the 435 was the operator. In cool weather the "S" series Detroit needed the block heater plugged in. No sympathy for the donkeys who threw a chain around the end of the front axle and broke the center casting after jolting the slack out. The operator needed good ear plugs and muffs to protect the ears. Goes for just about any piece of equipment. Finally the cheap skates of the day wouldn't purchase a 720/730 diesel. Instead they bought a 3500lb diesel tractor, ballasted it to 6500lbs and then hooked it to a 630 or 730 sized load. Well duh. Labouring the engine at max output in low gear with no slippage at the rear wheels for cushioning normal shock loads. What is it going to do to the final drives after a few hundred hours. Plus a little water condensation in the trans lube over time as well.

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Allan in NE

12-20-2004 19:48:57

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 12-20-2004 15:44:30

Hi Green John,

Yepper, gotta agree with ya. My dad had one of those darned 560 diesels too.

What's that green line over there? Oh yeah, it's the money heading for the outhouse.

Boy! Did that thing ever drive us nuts! How many heads can ya put on one of those old sisters without ruining the threadholes in the block? :>)

Later,

Allan

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720Deere

12-20-2004 16:30:34

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Indydirtfarmer, 12-20-2004 15:44:30

Indy,

I will have to agree that the 2020 was one of the greatest tractors that Deere ever built. I would have to rank it #2 right behind the 4020 as far as New Generation tractors go. I spent many a long summer mowing hay with a gas 2020. It was perhaps the handiest little tractor that I have ever run.

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Caz(Ky)

12-20-2004 11:23:53

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Wish all you guys wouldn't vote for my Commander for this poll. But even given it's bad reputation mine plows just fine. But I keep the transmission properly adjusted and I try to take care of my equipment and not abuse it. However there is no way I will put a 5 bottom plow on it in these southern Ky clay soils just because it was supposedly rated for a 5 bottom. Caz

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Philip

12-20-2004 09:45:34

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

I am the proud owner of a 1961 Ford 6000 Diesel red and grey with narrow front end and select-o-speed transmission. Best looking tractor ever made, runs good too when properly maintained and when an experienced mechanic sets up your transmission. This tranmission did have its problems. It was a little undersized for the 75 horsepower engine, it was rushed into production with little dealer training, and ahead of its time. A tractor like this you either love or hate. I love it. Philip.

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DaveH IA

12-20-2004 16:06:42

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Philip, 12-20-2004 09:45:34

I was 12 years old we went to the Ford dealer for parts---There set a new 6000---WOW---when I was 46 years old I bought one-diesel M&W turbo wide front-- weights front and rear--- 8 foot blade on the rear there ain't a snow-bank safe when it's around---they got a bad rep from a few owners---like a 2010 JD if you had a good one--you didn't have to fix it ---if you had a bad one you could'nt fix it

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Walter Squires

12-20-2004 09:51:21

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Philip, 12-20-2004 09:45:34

Phillip, I will admit they were good looking tractors.

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old

12-20-2004 09:34:48

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

One of the worst ones I ever heard of was the first fords with the S.O.S tranny. I've been told that every ford dealer had to buy one and most that sold that one would end up with it back in just a month or so for work on the tranny.

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RAB

12-20-2004 10:08:31

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to old, 12-20-2004 09:34:48

They would pretty soon - if only to replace the torque plate. We found that was the main problem, changing down the box at max torque on the engine. You soon learned to change early, around 17-1800rpm, or risk losing the torque plate if you left it to 1500 before dropping down. Still probably just as reliable as some of the newer powershift trannies in use now provided they were kept in adjustment.
Regards, RAB

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Rufus Windrow

12-20-2004 09:26:10

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The '24 essex Tri-Directional (ETD) model "Farmer's Helper" (FH) had nothing but bad luck from the time it was drawn up till the last one hit the scrap heap near Jake's Corner Yukon at the old pineapple farm up there. Most everyone who drove it died an early death and even getting near it usually meant some form of bad luck like your barn burning down or your wife running off with your cousin. Many referred to it as the ETD "JPBN" which was short for "Just Plain Bad News".

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Jake from Jakes Corner

12-20-2004 15:24:50

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rufus Windrow, 12-20-2004 09:26:10

Right you are, Rufus. We had two of them that was used on Hickey-Nelson ice binders. It was hard to keep them lined up with the windrow and not fall into the lake. Them Mounties made us quit using 'em because they said they was too hazard like for anybody so we tried them cultivating pineapples but when that didn't work we sold them to North Korea.

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thurlow

12-20-2004 11:32:54

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rufus Windrow, 12-20-2004 09:26:10

As usual, about as much bad (incorrect)information posted as the other kind; """"till the last one hit the scrap heap""""..... ..never seen a running one, but a neighbor claims to have 2 complete and 2 parts tractors; and they were '34 models, not '24; company didn't even exist 'til, what, '28????

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Rufus Windrow

12-20-2004 16:27:16

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to thurlow, 12-20-2004 11:32:54

You must be the same Thurlow that I used to know in 3rd grade. I remember you very well Thurlow, always causing trouble and questioning the information that the teacher was giving the class. And then I remember you getting kicked out of third grade later that year for not shaving, I thought that was a bit unfair, you were only 17 at the time.

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thurlow

12-20-2004 20:55:51

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rufus Windrow, 12-20-2004 16:27:16

Guilty; don't remember you, but then I don't remember much about those years..... .

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Rufus Windrow

12-21-2004 05:49:54

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to thurlow, 12-20-2004 20:55:51

No wonder you didn't remember me, I was the small little guy in the back corner, already had pimples by that time in grade 3, mind you I was 15 myself. Very quiet, used to sit back there and dream about pineapples on my uncles farm and that wonderful ETD that he was using. My oh my, those were the days.

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Rajah from Delhi

12-20-2004 14:30:19

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to thurlow, 12-20-2004 11:32:54

Well you do know Mr.Thurlow, that those fine tractors where imported from my native India for Banana Harvesting and derived their bad name from being used for hauling timber logs in the far north. A purpose and climate not suited for such refined machinery.
Rajah

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Dave 2n

12-20-2004 10:51:39

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rufus Windrow, 12-20-2004 09:26:10

I totally agree with Rufus!!

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Bob

12-20-2004 09:25:41

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

When picking the WORST tractor, also take into consideration how the company handled the problems. (Warrantee and updates.)

Everbody had some problems, but SOME were taken care of more poorly than others by the manufacturer.

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john in la

12-20-2004 09:24:43

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The early Ford 6000 Commander gets my vote also.
Even Ford knew this tractor was a piece of junk as they recalled and redid or replaced (do not remember which) every tractor.

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Indydirtfarmer

12-20-2004 09:15:26

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

The 6000 gets my nod. Then ANY Ford with S.O.S. tranny.....

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john-mi

12-20-2004 09:05:41

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 08:55:29

Ford 6000 get my vote.

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PJB

12-20-2004 09:17:52

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to john-mi, 12-20-2004 09:05:41

Is the ford 6000 the tractor with the wierd transmission ???? I think it was called "slect o matic" or something like that. I rememeber I had a high school Ag teacher that called Ford transmissions "jerk a matics" He claimed they were jerky when you backed up. I never drove one so I don't know.

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Walter Squires

12-20-2004 09:08:22

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to john-mi, 12-20-2004 09:05:41

Yeh, I have to agree with that, Ford 6000 Commander.

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Edchainsaw

12-20-2004 18:02:50

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Walter Squires, 12-20-2004 09:08:22

the Ford story was the way I heard it almost exactly. and another bad tractor of that era was one my grampa's grampa baught in 1917 or so
a BULL tractor--- I dont see what could go wrong with it but Grampa said it was not reliabel and became scrap sometime in the mid 20's -but the Avery motor cultivator baught at the same time was good.

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WulffMan

12-21-2004 10:04:59

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Edchainsaw, 12-20-2004 18:02:50

I don't know bout the rest of you folks, but I have heard of and have owned some real junkers due to my cash supply vs. demand issues.

Worst was a mid eighties Belarus....just plain horse diddle.

Second was any yellow Leland (after Marshall bought out Leland)....between my Dad and I we must have replaced the hydraulic lines 50 times on those crappers....and we both burnt one up as well. At least they ran most of the time unlike the Belarus.....
Never had nor heard of anyone owning a 2010 diesel but folks around here mostly ran blue or red stuff.

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Edchainsaw

12-21-2004 17:18:55

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to WulffMan, 12-21-2004 10:04:59

we here have done the same thing. let our $$$ say what we baught (and had a bit of bad luck with some bad deere machanics too) but our worst tractor we ever had had to be our 1586 international..

1979 1586... 7 trips back to the dealer in the first year! and countless trips there after. We baught it because we were scared of the reliablity of a 2745 massey-- that the next owner never spent 1 dime extra on in 10yrs.

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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

12-21-2004 18:12:06

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Edchainsaw, 12-21-2004 17:18:55

Boy, is this topic is an education for a newbie!

Glad I didn't listen to the local used car salesman who had a 2010 all ready to sell me for a lot of money. I couldn't understand why it had sat for over a year on his lot.

The guy who sold me my MF35 put a newly painted IH 560 in its place. I hope he likes it because he's a nice guy, but I love my little 3 cylinder Massey.

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Mike (WA)

12-22-2004 10:01:29

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Re: Worst Tractor Ever Built? in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 12-21-2004 18:12:06

Not only has the Massey 35/ 135 never made anybody's "worst tractor" list, its pretty much at the top of most "best tractor" lists.

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