There was a thread awhile back about other vintage items we use. While I have some old tools, the ones that get used the most are my tractors. The first one I just picked up over the weekend. I am the third owner and only has 454 hours of run time on it. The original bill of sale is from 5/5/72, six months older than me. This will become my loader / backhoe machine. The second machine is the successor to the first w/ some design upgrades such as the front axle, larger spindles and dual hydraulic control for front and rear attachments to be used simultaneously. This is to become my mower, snowthrowing and grading machine. I thought some of you might enjoy these older machines knowing someone is still giving them love.
My "new" tractor
- Thread starter RBE17
- Start date
If I come over, can I ride one? 
Those look really nice.
Those look really nice.
Nice! 
Cool tractors, but they're babies compared to some of the tractors still in use on some farms around here. 
Who doesn't like tractors.
Sweet. I can't wait to get o e when my wife and I get a bigger house with a better yard.
Cool tractors, but they're babies compared to some of the tractors still in use on some farms around here.
It is a bit on the small side isn't it? Maybe the title should be "My 'new' 'tractor'" not "My 'new' tractor".
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- #9
Thanks for the comments. I can't help refer to them as tractors because well, technically, they are. As compared to bonafide farm tractors, they're tiny, but they're monstrous compared to a 18hp Craftsman or even a large frame Simplicity garden tractor. Simplicity designed and built these tractors to fill the gap between garden tractors and farm tractors. They essentially created the compact tractor market w/ these machines. They're good machines, but have they're shortcomings. I wish they were 4wd and had power steering, but they don't so I'll retrofit the ps and deal w/ the 2wd.
Sweet!
That's a fact RBE. If people knew how good those old Simplicity tractors were, and what ANY compact tractor costs now, I would wager you they would have sold a LOT more of them. As it is, I suspect you paid nearly as much as these things sold for new, given their condition. Most have rotted away from neglect. Besides, they are so much better built than anything called a garden tractor today it is not even close. About 15 years ago I visited a Simplicity dealer in Stanley Ks. They were still making stout garden tractors(garden tractors, not compact diesel models) with cast iron front axles, etc. True garden tractors. Not overpriced John Deere models. And yes, the JD people can gripe about that little comment all they want.
I have used most of the major brands of compact tractors. I spent twelve years in a landscape shop. I learned a thing or two about them. The first thing was, the Yanmars made for John Deere of the early to mid 80's are SIGNIFICANTLY stouter than the one's made today. It was a complete mistake for Yanmar to give Deere exclusive distribution rights to Yanmars tractors in North America. Oh, you Deere guys didn't know all those old 750, 850, and 1050 models from the late 70's forward, and all compacts since were made in Japan? They were and are. The entire tractor, not just the engines. At least they are unless Yanmar has set up shop in the U.S. I have always championed American iron when it comes to trucks but the Japanese know how to make compact diesel tractors and they have perfected them. Another little issue I have(had, they addressed it these last ten years or so)was JD's lack of a flat, cross-through platform on compact tractors. Oh, you could get that on tractors above 60hp or so but not on the compacts. Not till relatively recently. Look at any of the Izeki made Massey Ferguson, Challenger, or Agco models from 20hp and up. They had flat platforms, tilt steering column, side mounted gear shift levers to each side of the operators seat resulting in NO clutter at all in the platform area, electric over hydraulic rear PTO, and 1/4 turn quick release engine cover panels ten years before you could get all of this on a little Deere. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying they were crap, they weren't. They just weren't as sophisticated as some others. Our landscape shop at work recently bought a 2520 JD with a little backhoe attachment. It has lived at the repair shop. Our old 750 and 1050 models were head and shoulders better built. Okay, sorry for the rant. I just love compact tractors and wish I could afford to pick one up for my mothers little homestead. Anymore they cost as much as a four wheel drive truck.
Regards, Todd
Pretty sweet! On the farm growing up we had a Ford 8N that we used for everything.
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- #13
Todd,
Lot's on info in there. Simplicity really was quite the innovator w/ the Pow'RMax. After it was discontinued the SunStar was the next big tractor. It was not quite the same as the P'max machines. I wish Simplicity would've had a little more insight and planning. A little stronger frame, cat 1 3pt w/ 540rpm pto, ps, maybe 4wd, strong enough frame and stout enough hydraulic system that a FEL and backhoe could be run w/o needing auxiliary pumps and extra reinforcing frames would've been fantastic.
I actually got both these machines at a great price. The 9020, second picture, came w/ a cab, 60" deck and 52" snowthrower and I got it for ~$1,700 on ebay because the auction house listing the auction spelled Simplicity as "Simplcity". The other machine, the 4040, I got for $700 because it doesn't always start. The blade, wheel weights, chains and brinly 3pt forklift are worth that much so I was pleased.
If I had my druthers I'd have a new Kubota, JD or Mahindra. The problem is they are so expensive. I just can't swing another payment right now. Maybe later in life.
A friend brought his JD 2420? down earlier in the spring and did a bunch of clearing and moving work for me. It did a nice job. It's still brand new though w/ only 12 hrs when he showed up and 16 when he left. AFAIK, he hasn't had any problems w/ it. However, he's done pretty easy tasks w/ it. Mainly mowing w/ the 4' brush hog, FEL work and dug some holes w/ the auger. I know he wants to get a backhoe, though.
I hear you 100%. It is difficult to find quality in machines these days. If you do, you have to pay dearly for it. Even then, there are shortcomings on the lower end, more cost effective models.
There's a guy a couple of miles from me that collects the old Ford tractors. He has around 12 of them w/ various attachments. Did the one used on the farm have the loader with the big tube frame?
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- #15
My son would be in heaven! He loves any kind of tractor of construction type vehicles.
It's so much fun when little kids get excited about things.
My 3 1/2 year old daughter likes the tractors. She'll sit on them and run the levers and the wheel. I haven't actually put her on my lap and driven around the yard though. I had my 11 month old son sitting on the one the other day.
Hey RBE, those were pretty good deals. What kind of engine do they have? They are really neat looking. I am with you on a modern, diesel compact. If you get used to using one, you will never want to use anything else. Lest anyone take my rant about JD as somehow saying they are no good, please don't. I just wanted to say there are other makes out there just as good and in some instances better. If you get a chance to look over some of the Massey-Ferguson models of the last 20 years you will be most impressed. Of course used models are always a gamble. Some owners "get it" that proper maintenance and not over using them is the sensible approach. Then there are others who trade every two or three years and just use them up. These guys are mostly about chest thumping and showing everyone they have a new piece of equipment. I avoid these machines like the plague. And yes, I am in the same boat you are. Taking on the expense of another payment is just out of the picture. Even fifiteen years ago when I first priced a 25hp Ferguson(model 1225 I think), it was nearly 13,000 with no attachments. Good score and great pics.
Regards, Todd
Regards, Todd
