88 years old...

This model C Case is 88 years old. Standing in a wheat field 88 years ago it would have been on a threshing machine. Simple and easy to
operate we forget how much of a improvement it would have been in a farmers life 88 years ago.

Yea Steve, there are times I feel we would be better off with tractors like this still doing this work, when families worked hard, and "together"
I have a "L" that has been in the shed for more years then I care to confess, what a busy life we lead

MANY of the so called improvements on new tractors are going to come back and bite us.
Richard in NW SC

Yes but, let's not forget the improvements that actually are improvements. ROPS. Starter safety interlocks. Starters! Hydraulics. I'm sure I forgot something!

Some those thing you call improvements to many are flat out made for stupid people. Many of those safety switch's are pretty much made to fail and in turn cause problems down the road. I learned years ago the only safety device one should ever count on working is the one between a person ears and sadly many people never learn that

Yes we have come along way over the years but have to agree with Old that the most important safety is the one between your ears. Scott

Worked with a person that had a 4010 with mentioned safety interlocks. His dad went to start the 4010 diesel and the key switch would not activate the start system. The dad got off the tractor, stood on the ground, and took a screwdriver and shorted the battery to the starter. Bottom line, the tractor started and ran over the dad and killed him.

Maybe Kevin knows someone close who was injured because of no safety interlocks. If so, I understand his thoughts about the importance of safety interlocks.

Types of improvements come in many forms----less labor---safer---more efficient---easier to operate---more needful information---more comfort----the list of types of improvements is very long.

To produce food, the list of major improvements to tractors is long. First was slave labor--- then horses--- then lumbering steam engines--- then small tractors--- then rubber tired tractors then larger tractors--- then safer and more comfortable tractors--- then "smarter" tractors etc. etc. etc. Every major improvement experienced minor improvements.

Same could be said about other farm machinery. Think about the history of the harvester and its improvements.

That goes back to what I said the most important safety is between ones ears and if you do not have that one working NO SAFETY switch etc. will save you. I almost never start a tractor while sitting on it but I do make sure it is out of gear before I start it

Don't know anyone who got killed on a tractor, but a few that got hurt. When I bought mine, the first thing I fixed was the keyswitch/solenoid circuit so it could be started from the seat! Got tired of checking the gearshift 3 times before standing in front of that 5' tall tire with a screwdriver. I'm still thinking of rigging a clutch pedal interlock.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with Old, the most important safety equipment is between the steering wheel and the seat, and it's a crying shame that it's lacking way too often. On tractors and cars and trucks and... But I'm getting on, and a bit forgetful, myself, so I cultivated the habit of starting it from the seat only, and a clutch interlock wouldn't hurt a bit. Especially if I designed it with a defeat like some 4x4s have. As for a ROPS, that would be difficult if not impossible to put on my 611b, fortunately there are no steep hills or such around to worry about.

I have a C that's 88 years old too and I know of another one that came to Oberlin, Kansas on the same truckload; both are still owned by their original owner's descendants.