1980's Era tractors compared with 2000's era

I'm curious guys would I be completely blown away if I tried out a 2000 era Massey? The newest Massey I've worked with is our 290 and its pretty good.

If you are asking about comfort, power, handling, ease of operation, fuel consumption, or the number of cup holders......then I would say yes.


As far as maintenance and repairs, the new ones are all pretty tough, but they can be abused to the point of becoming a lemon pretty fast.

We run mostly John Deere. The oldest Deere is a 4020. The newest is an 8220 or maybe the 9520T about the same year anyway. We also have a 6400 and I think it is the one we repair the most. That said, I suppose the 4230 will throw a rod while running the grain vac tomorrow, but the 6400 also has 12,000 hours on it and it gets used about everyday feeding cattle. So you could say it is all in perspective to use.

From the specs I've read from Nebraska Tests, nobody is going to be "blown away" from better fuel efficiency with newer tractors. There certainly are some specific gains at certain steady power levels (mostly 150 horsepower and up), but on average the new tractors aren't much different then they were in the 1970s when it comes to how much work is done per gallon. In fact, in the 50 horsepower range, many are worse then those tested 20 years ago.

A few examples. Note the 1965 MF beats the much newer tractors listed. So does a 1958 Deere:

Massey Ferguson MF150 diesel, tested in 1965, as thus:
37.8 horsepower at 17.8 horsepower hours per gallon.
35.3 horsepower at 18.1 horsepower hours per gallon.
25.1 horsepower at 16.4 horsepower hours per gallon.
17 horsepower at 14 horsepower hours per gallon.
8.5 horsepower at 9.6 horsepower hours per gallon.

Case IH CX50 diesel, tested 1999 at thus:
42.5 horsepower at 15.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
37 horsepower at 14.8 horsepower hours per gallon.
28.2 horsepower at 13.5 horsepower hours per gallon.
18.9 horsepower at 11.1 horsepower hours per gallon.
9.5 horsepower at 7.9 horsepower hours per gallon.

Case DX 48 diesel, tested 2004 as thus:
40.9 horsepower at 12.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
36.6 horsepower at 12 horsepower hours per gallon.
27.9 horsepower at 11.6 horsepower hours per gallon.
18.7 horsepower at 9.7 horsepower hours per gallon.
9.3 horsepower at 6.4 horsepower hours per gallon.

Kubota L5030 diesel, tested 2006 as thus:
43.5 horsepower at 14.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
30.7 horsepower at 12.9 horsepower hours per gallon.
20.7 horsepower at 10.7 horsepower hours per gallon.
10.4 horsepower at 7 horsepower hours per gallon.

New Holland Boomer TC50 diesel, tested 2008 as thus:
43.6 horsepower at 13.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
28.8horsepower at 13.6 horsepower hours per gallon.
19.4 horsepower at 11.9 horsepower hours per gallon.
9.7 horsepower at 8 horsepower hours per gallon.

Hey JD -

Thanks for the stats... Those are interesting...

Do you happen to have them for an R or 80 JD??

Just curious... A local somewhat-old-timer was bragging to me on how the R was one of the most efficient tractors ever made... Or at least up until that time...

Howard

The maximum fuel economy observed at Nebraska for the "R" was 17.63 HP hours per gallon.

the damthangs would have to make fuel before i go in debt and buy one , brother has a 2006 massey 431, been in the shop at least 5 times , greatshop tractor , modern tractors are far toocomplicated for my bank account , andwill never hold up as long as a dc Case from WW2 days

(quoted from post at 03:33:50 02/18/10) If you are asking about comfort, power, handling, ease of operation, fuel consumption, or the number of cup holders......then I would say yes.


As far as maintenance and repairs, the new ones are all pretty tough, but they can be abused to the point of becoming a lemon pretty fast.

We run mostly John Deere. The oldest Deere is a 4020. The newest is an 8220 or maybe the 9520T about the same year anyway. We also have a 6400 and I think it is the one we repair the most. That said, I suppose the 4230 will throw a rod while running the grain vac tomorrow, but the 6400 also has 12,000 hours on it and it gets used about everyday feeding cattle. So you could say it is all in perspective to use.

Click to expand...

So it's kind of like newer cars then. Impressive performance but a real pain when it comes to repairs and maintenance.

Those are great numbers JD. I posted this thread because we have a MF 165 and MF 290 on my Grandparent's ranch. My cousins have thrown out the idea that we should sell those older tractors and get ourselves one nice newer MF. My Grandfather can't really give his opinion anymore due to his health. However, I know he would be up in arms over getting rid of the MF 165 since he always claimed it was a great tractor.

R was very good, but hte 720 broke the record for many years -until a Deere-Yamar beat it. I'll post specs up above.

You asked about the Deere R diesel tested in 1949. It was very efficient, but the 720 Deere diesel later beat it. Look at these specs as compared to some newer tractors. Keep in mind that many new tractors boast great efficiency at just one peak level. It's really the all-around figures that count, unless you only use a tractor for one specific load and job. Look at these complete figures (not usualy abreviated tests that are often cited). Gives you a much better idea of a tractor that gets used for many different types of work. These older tractor do much better then many of the newer ones.

John Deere R diesel 1949 Test # 406
48.5 horse at 17.3 horsepower hours per gallon
43.5 horse at 17.6 horsepower hours per gallon
33.5 horse at 17 horsepower hours per gallon
26.5 horse at 15.5 horsepower hours per gallon
11.3 horse at 11.1 horsepower hours per gallon
1.6 horse at 2.5 horsepower hours per gallon

John Deere 720 diesel 1956 Test # 594
56.6 horse at 17.9 horsepower hours per gallon
50 horse at 18.3 horsepower hours per gallon
38.7 horse at 18 horsepower hours per gallon
30.5 horse at 16.4 horsepower hours per gallon
26.3 horse at 16.2 horsepower hours per gallon
13.6 horse at 12.1 horsepower hours per gallon
2 horse at 3 horsepower hours per gallon


Kubota L5030 diesel, tested 2006 as thus:
43.5 horsepower at 14.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
30.7 horsepower at 12.9 horsepower hours per gallon.
20.7 horsepower at 10.7 horsepower hours per gallon.
10.4 horsepower at 7 horsepower hours per gallon.

New Holland Boomer TC50 diesel, tested 2008 as thus:
43.6 horsepower at 13.2 horsepower hours per gallon.
28.8horsepower at 13.6 horsepower hours per gallon.
19.4 horsepower at 11.9 horsepower hours per gallon.
9.7 horsepower at 8 horsepower hours per gallon.