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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

The joys of older equipment

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Cory A.

05-20-2007 09:18:30




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Every time I turn around something else is broken. I restored a 1950 farmall h about a year ago and yesterday I was using it and it decided that it was a good time to stop running. :( Looks like I get to redo the ignition and the carb. And I don't even want to start talking about the 706 I have..... .First mistake was buying it. But at least it keeps me busy.




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David Snipes

05-23-2007 07:52:49




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
That's the trouble with my equipment; it only breaks down when I use it. It can sit reliably for months on end and be completely trouble free!



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Mr Bob

05-21-2007 07:46:49




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
On the lighter side regarding "older equipment"; that's why they make viagr@. LOL



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Jrry

05-21-2007 07:38:04




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
Yep, know what you mean. I put new tires on my finish mower in 2005. I thought I woiuld not have any problems with them for a while. I got a flat on one of them this weekend and took it back to where it was purchased this morning. Guy called me and said the tire had a big cut in it and unreparable. Had to get another one.



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James22

05-20-2007 20:40:16




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
We haven't many breakdowns with older equipment because when something is noticed as not being quite right, it is investigated/repaired. Requires that you spend more than the minimum. However, over the years we have accumulated a spare tractor for every job. Really wasn't that capital intensive, with the exception of the $18K IH 5288, since they were older and in some cases less desirable such as the MM G950 and the IH 4166. But as one could expect some are more desirable to run than the others.

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Cory A.

05-20-2007 14:18:12




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
Oh I love older equipment. It has more character and it is easier to fix most of the time. I'm actually a John Deere mechanic....go figure I have farmalls. My father says I'm just paying my dues which is probably true. Fixing things is not the problem, finding/paying for some of the parts is frustrating but I love doing it so don't make me out to be a cry baby I was just venting a little anger earlier. Life itself is a struggle. If you're weak and you don't have patience and persistence you'll never make it.

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135 Fan

05-20-2007 20:32:43




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 14:18:12  
All equipment breaks down. New or old. That said, my 65 135 is by far the most trouble free piece of equipment I've ever owned. Its had some repairs but on my 86 Cat and my 94 skid steer it seems like I'm always fixing something, especially the Cat (4800 hrs.). I bought the skid steer new and with less than 4000 hrs. I have a wheel motor leaking into the chain case. I think because I lost hydraulic fluid when the Hydrostatic hose rubbed through the steel case drain line. The hoses were all rubbing on each other from the factory! Dave

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georgeky

05-20-2007 17:47:42




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 14:18:12  
I would lot rather work on old ones than new ones. If it has moving parts you will have trouble with it sooner or later.



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Chris in MO

05-20-2007 10:51:30




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
The timing of this subject is amusingly appropriate.

I've got a 95 F250 w/ a 7.3 diesel. It has been acting up this week due to corrosion on the batteries' posts. I fully intended to get to it. I've just been real busy this week. My wife was just in town and had to wiggle the clamps to get it to start. When she shut the hood, the latch got locked up and wouldn't open again.

Sooooo, I just got down spending 45 minutes removing the two mounting bolts through the grill. An extremely tight and uncomfortable fit. I didn't know that my fingers could bend that way. When I got them out and was able to lift the hood, the latch popped open with the first pull on the lever. I oiled it and reinstalled it. I tested it several times and it worked just fine.

There is a definite sense of accomplishment when you do get it to work.

By the way, in getting the engine started, my wife cleaned all the corrosion off the battery posts. Hmmmmm m, next time I have to change the oil..... .

Christopher

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Billy NY

05-20-2007 14:49:52




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Chris in MO, 05-20-2007 10:51:30  
What is the deal with those hood latches, my '96 F-150 did that, and still likes to get stuck, I have sprayed and soaked it with a good penetrant, must be a trick to these, when they lock up, very difficult to free up, or you have to do what you did, which is not easy either.



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Cliff Neubauer

05-20-2007 10:21:41




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
The new stuff breaks down too. We farm with a range of equipment from new this year to 40-50 years old and none of it is perfect. In general the new stuff is more reliable and in most cases better built than in the old days but it's still not perfect.



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RAB

05-20-2007 10:19:15




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
At least it can be fixed cheaply. AND why redo the ignition AND carb? Usually only goes out at a time - or have the servicing needs been ignored until it broke down? That"s what it sounds like from the tone of your posting!
Are you sure it"s not run out of fuel, or a loose connection to the ignition circuit. Err.. like, does it have a good spark/is there a fuel blockage? These simple questions may save you a lot of wasted time repairing something that is not broke. In fact you should have known whether it was fuel or electrical before posting on here. Coils can seem Ok when cold. I mean if it just stopped while you were using it, surely you would have tried to start it? No point in just turning the key to run down the battery unless you are diagnosing the problem. If"n it stopped there must be a reason an" until that reason is removed/rectified, it ain"t going to go (or not for very long).
RAB

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Steven@AZ

05-20-2007 10:10:25




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
Just another normal day in the life of many farmers... Dad's newest equipment is from the mid-90's while most is from the late 70's and early 80's. Fixing is just normal, you learn how to think on your feet, who carries parts on hand (no time wasted ordering), and how to modify things to work.

Same thing applies to older vehicles. People ask all the time how can I stand stopping to fix while on vacation or driving anywhere... I reply with, "I've got more time than money right now." And then there are the people who say my stuff is awful new and low miles... ;o)

To me, fixing is part of the fun of the really old stuff! The really old stuff!

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Formerly super99

05-20-2007 10:09:31




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
Been there, Done that, Got the greasy t-shirt. Yes it is frustrating at times. Go price a brand spanking new one and see how much the payments are and then you'll appreciate your old equipment. Depends what you want and can afford. My whole line of equipment cost less than some of the new fancy, high end lawn tractors out there. They will never break down unless you are using them, but then you get to tinker with them to get them going again. I don't have to depend on them to make a living, so if it takes me a few more days to get done, so what? At least my hobby is tax deductibile. Getting dirty and having fun, Chris

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Kestrel CT

05-20-2007 10:05:19




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
Join the club. Reminds me of the old adage " the two happiest days of a boat owner's life: the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

A statement sadly applicable to any large purchase, tractors, trucks, etc.



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Walt Davies

05-20-2007 09:40:32




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Cory A., 05-20-2007 09:18:30  
You must be a youngster, we had to stop and fix things on a daily bases back in my time.
Walt giggle



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Gene Davis (Ga.)

05-20-2007 18:37:07




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 Re: The joys of older equipment in reply to Walt Davies, 05-20-2007 09:40:32  
Time was when you needed to allow time for flat tires and an occasional breakdowns.



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