1970 Technology!

Here we are 40 years later and they say we needed more fuel efficient engines, regarding EPA!

I have a 1974 IH 2050A with a 1160 Cat engine, .5 emissions, plenty of power for the category of truck and it is NOT a thirsty engine! Very little maintenance!

265 MF tractor, clean running after 35 years, plenty of power and efficiency for the category, again very little maintenance.

970 Case, clean running, very little maintenance, again efficient to operate, plenty of power for the category of tractor!

What do these units have in common, they are PAID FOR, they do not require a computer techy to stand there and reprogram them and if they get dirty, I really do NOT CARE! Yes the paint is faded, the tires are worn down a little, but they get the job done!

How many hours are spent on washing and polishing this new iron, not to mention the expensive equipment to keep them clean!

I could go on and on, but what was the improvement over these decades! First there were more profits for the corporate world, at who's expense?

Wilson referred to myself as the Village Idiot, I took that as a COMPLIMENT! Every town requires a FOOL! Somebody has to fill that postion, it might as well be me, at least I am NOT a politician or bureaucrat!

You said: "How many hours are spent on washing and polishing this new iron, not to mention the expensive equipment to keep them clean!"


New Iron? Don't you mean new PLASTIC!!!


LOL
Jeff

Jeff:

What was I thinking? Yesterday we were actually disgusing this when scrapping vehicles, ALL PLASTIC REMOVED, TIRES OFF!

What is left? TIN!!

I believe there will be a market for older machinery going through a complete rebuild to accommodate the smaller farmers who's acreage will not support spendy new tractors tractors Ed

Amen,Brother! Tell em!

ESPECIALLY COMBINES!! , grain and CORN heads!

People with your kind of attitude towards cleaning equipment don't touch mine. Clean equipment presents a better image, is nicer to work on, gets treated and looked after better, and ultimately lasts longer. A good pressure washer pays in short order.

Congrats on keeping older iron working, but it doesn't work for everybody. I wouldn't be able to get any real trenching work in this area with a 1970's backhoe. My 1999 Case 580 Super L is way more efficient, and looks way more appealing to customers. Same with the town public works department. The newer iron works way better, less downtime, more capacity, and looks a lot more appealing to taxpayers. When we get a foot of snow over a weekend, they like it when that shiny newer iron gets at it and cleans everything up in a couple of days.

And that 1160 Cat pours emissions. It's what you can't see, like NOx emissions, that are being targeted. I agree with cleaning up emissions, I don't agree the emissions levels targets and speed at which manufacturers are forced to meet them in recent years. They have to scramble just to meet the emissions, and the fuel efficiency goes out the window.

Oh, and I'm a journeyman Ag mechanic. It was very seldom that I had to spend any time with the computer. More often than not just mechanical work (often times caused by idiot operators). Most of the new equipment was fairly well engineered and just as reliable as the old models (not all, but most).

Don't get me wrong, I like playing with old iron too. But when it comes to day in day out working for a living, give me the new iron.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. Fire away.

Lyndon