Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
I am sure many of you read the thread titled: "How new should I go?"
Those who advocate buying new tractors make a strong case for their side. New tractors have great features that weren't even invented till late. And they are reliable, long lived and trouble free.
I say let them advocate their opinions here. But don't be entirely taken in by their arguments
Old tractors have their place too. Especially on this site deducated to them.
Old tractors are worthwhile.
For a hobby, for their ability to perform valuable work, for their historical value and as monuments to those who built them.
Which of us, by toil and hard learning, by pain, initiative and gumption hasn't had the satisfaction of bringing a tired old machine to life? That abandoned one or burned one or that familiy heirloom. Who here doesn't feel a joy the first he hears a rebuilt engine roar to life? Who doesn't watch with satisfaction as pretty paint hides not only the primer but all the cleaning, sanding and puttying beneath it?
Who here doesn't feel a sense of accomplishment when he finally chases down an electrical gremlin and his tractor roars like a tiger?
Which of us minded the waiting for parts to arrive and didnt enjoy the thrill of the hunt as we chased down a hard to find part or matching implement for our beauty. Who didn't enjoy a road trip to fetch an old parts tractor?
And who here doesn't enjoy displaying his handiwork at a show or better yet, put the old thing to work at the tasks it was disigned for? Who here doesn't like the idea of owning it outright?
Yes, many of us could have new tractors.
Tractors with options and features, creature comforts, new paint and new tires.
And payments, and soft hands and a lack of curiosity or challenge. And have nothing to teach our children except for safety rules and Not to do this or that.
New tractors have their place. There are many who haven't the skills or patience to fix an old tractor. Or they would rather watch tv about Modern Marvels than fix or build a marvel themselves.
And they hand off the repairs of things to people who can. And in a pinch they find out they can't fix a thing because they didnt learn how or were too afraid or lazy to try.
I like my old tractors.
And as I said in that other thread I will probably never own a new one. Not because I couldn't but because I don't want to stop challenging myself and learning new things. Because I don't want to be afraid of scratching it. Because I don't just want to be exposed to old tractors on Youtube. Because I like to fix things with my hands. Because I don't entirely subscribe to the notion that new is better.
I like them because they're old and have stood the test of time. Because they're a part of my heritage. Because they will still do useful work for me.
And because they give me something to hand down to the next generation. Not just a tractor, be it new or old, but what I've learned about life from working on them.
Those who advocate buying new tractors make a strong case for their side. New tractors have great features that weren't even invented till late. And they are reliable, long lived and trouble free.
I say let them advocate their opinions here. But don't be entirely taken in by their arguments
Old tractors have their place too. Especially on this site deducated to them.
Old tractors are worthwhile.
For a hobby, for their ability to perform valuable work, for their historical value and as monuments to those who built them.
Which of us, by toil and hard learning, by pain, initiative and gumption hasn't had the satisfaction of bringing a tired old machine to life? That abandoned one or burned one or that familiy heirloom. Who here doesn't feel a joy the first he hears a rebuilt engine roar to life? Who doesn't watch with satisfaction as pretty paint hides not only the primer but all the cleaning, sanding and puttying beneath it?
Who here doesn't feel a sense of accomplishment when he finally chases down an electrical gremlin and his tractor roars like a tiger?
Which of us minded the waiting for parts to arrive and didnt enjoy the thrill of the hunt as we chased down a hard to find part or matching implement for our beauty. Who didn't enjoy a road trip to fetch an old parts tractor?
And who here doesn't enjoy displaying his handiwork at a show or better yet, put the old thing to work at the tasks it was disigned for? Who here doesn't like the idea of owning it outright?
Yes, many of us could have new tractors.
Tractors with options and features, creature comforts, new paint and new tires.
And payments, and soft hands and a lack of curiosity or challenge. And have nothing to teach our children except for safety rules and Not to do this or that.
New tractors have their place. There are many who haven't the skills or patience to fix an old tractor. Or they would rather watch tv about Modern Marvels than fix or build a marvel themselves.
And they hand off the repairs of things to people who can. And in a pinch they find out they can't fix a thing because they didnt learn how or were too afraid or lazy to try.
I like my old tractors.
And as I said in that other thread I will probably never own a new one. Not because I couldn't but because I don't want to stop challenging myself and learning new things. Because I don't want to be afraid of scratching it. Because I don't just want to be exposed to old tractors on Youtube. Because I like to fix things with my hands. Because I don't entirely subscribe to the notion that new is better.
I like them because they're old and have stood the test of time. Because they're a part of my heritage. Because they will still do useful work for me.
And because they give me something to hand down to the next generation. Not just a tractor, be it new or old, but what I've learned about life from working on them.