Posted by Mike (WA) on March 31, 2014 at 09:47:11 from (69.10.199.141):
In Reply to: Re: Older tractors. posted by Bryce Frazier on March 31, 2014 at 08:03:17:
I think the key to farming with old stuff is to have backups and parts on hand for everything, so you can be up and running again quickly when the inevitable breakdowns occur. Be a real hound dog on maintenance, but also be ready for problems. Probably have a couple extra tractors that you don't even intend to use, as spares.
I helped in wheat harvest for a friend in eastern Washington in 1995. They had Harris combines- 4 of them- used 3, one in reserve. Not Massey Harris, just plain Harris, built in California in '50's and 60's. Good rigs, 20 foot headers, they had been using them for over 30 years. Friend's dad was "retired" from active farming, but he was a crack mechanic and did the repairs in the shop.
1995 was the year it came crashing down for the Harris's. Lost a final drive in one, raddle rake in another, numerous breaks of fatigued metal had to be welded, and on and on and on. One machine soon turned into a parts rig, and Grandpa (and the rest of us) were burning the midnight oil in the shop, trying to keep them going. We were down to 2 running by the end of the season, and the season was probably 2 weeks longer than it should have been, because of down time. By the next year, the Harris's were gone (to another farmer in the county who also used Harris's), and they had an IH 16xx (1660, I think, but not sure). Really a nice machine to operate, and eliminated 2 hired men. Progress, I guess. . .
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