Re: are John Deere's longer lasting?

Posted by Andy Martin on September 04, 2000 at 13:05:32 from (38.31.74.217):

In Reply to: are John Deere's longer lasting? posted by Pat H on September 02, 2000 at 09:24:01:

Anything lasts longer when it is not used.

The enginnering issue is interesting. JD A, B, etc, and the letter series IH were designed at a point when the companies were most concerned about reliability.

They are all well designed. The Allis Chalmers and MM are also great.

After the late 30's, the thrust became more horsepower (Supers, Numbers) then gadgets, then cheaper. None of those changes were improvements. Lighter bearings, higher speeds, higher temperatures and pressures, and smaller, higher strength steel pieces did not make any tractors better. Lightweight tractors with added weights. Compare a new 45 hp tractor with an M. Absolutely no comparison except on the dynamometer.

But you see more M's, Cubs, H's, and C's working every day than any other make from the same era. There are a lot of Allis's in some areas but they are fading fast.

I farm with Farmalls but I keep an unstyled JD A and a 1938 styed B out back just so people won't think I don't know better. If you plan to spend 10 hours on a tractor you don't want a johnny popper. They are good for curiosities like button up shoes. You remember the song "I worked 10 hours on a John Deere tractor, never could get it to run".

The Farmall M is a modern, efficient tractor. My neighbors have big diesel John Deeres. They use more fuel than I do to do the same work. (Part of it is they're pulling air conditioners!)

I hired a 19 yr old boy this summer off a JD 4430. He was amazed how well the old red tractors pulled, and the control he had over what he was doing. I've never run a big green thing and have no aspirations to. He had a blast working two M's in the same field with me. I must say I enjoyed watching both tractors too.

I'll put my M's up against anybody trying to earn money running any new 65 hp tractor.

How long will they last?

I work mine hard and have very little maintenance. I used to know two old brothers who farmed with two F-20's into the 70's. I thought their tractors were old, but the M's are all pushing 60. And paying their way. I am sure they will outlast me, and I'm only 51.

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