Tractos to avoid...

AlanA

Member
I play on team Red AND team Green - and enjoy both. I grew up flogging Fords and MF's around the farm in La., and consider them good brands.

I have JD and Farmall's that I use, but none is "pretty". My wife said I can have a pretty one for Christmas, for trail rides, parades, etc. I'm pretty much up for anything '55 or older, so what brands would you go WAY out of your way to avoid working on?

Growing up we had a neighbor that had a big David Brown that seemed like it was broken more than it was running, but I don't know whether that was (lack of ) maintenance or what.

Alan
 
JD 1010 series. Old tractors from the Steel Wheel era that go very slow. Tractors that steer hard. IH 300U 350U with no PS, N series Fords. there are many very desirable collector tractors that would be either too expensive, or complex to to operate. They are just not drivers. Jim
 
Get an unstyled B, BR or Bo. Or actually, pretty much any old JD 2 cylinder. Cool old things, sound great, not very useful but good in parades. Love the 2 cylinder sound.
 
I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul
 
how about an Allis Chalmers b
nice little tractor that looks good for parades
would be cheap on fuel
cheap to buy
not to expensive for parts
and with the wide seat you can ride with your wife
at the sametime
 
Neighbor has a 2940 FWA.

He's been using it as his primary tractor since 1980.

It's been a good one.

Dean
 
here's one you could get or do your self doesn't need to be dual axle or have mags too still be quite a looker
I've got wd45 imthinking about doing something like this to
don't think it would be to hard
flip the front and rear axles flip the diff and reconfig a few things and you would have a low rider
a176624.jpg
 
Why avoid N Fords??? I have a 46 that I have had for 14 years. Ran it for 7 smoking some. No problems. After rebuild I prettied it up but still use it a lot. Still no problems. Building a 42. So simple to work on. So much fun to use. Lots of available parts, both new and used. Most very reasonably priced.
 
You say you want a nice tractor? I have these types around my house :1950 Allis Chalmers model B Orchard, 1948 farmall Cub, 1951 farmall M, 1956 JOhn Deere 70 D, 1964 J.I case 440 U and 1971 I.H.skid steer loader. I would say this get a tractor that you can use on your property. Small lot I would say a farmall Cub. big lot I would say a meduim size tractor like the allis chalmers B. Big lot size like 6 acres or more the JOhn Deere 70 diesel. It is all up to you and what you like. good luck.
 
All two banger JD as they are terribly light front ended for loading on a trailer forward. I load a lot of them every year to do that bridge drive at Mackinaw city. I always hate loading those.
Also anything with a hand clutch that you push to engage. Just seems basacwards. ever try to see the draw pin and push the clutch? They should pull back so you are moving towards the draw pin. Our Cats are that way what an easy to see thing that way.
 
None, the reason is that I love working on old tractors, I love a challenge, and I would like to see how each company made it work! If I wasn't milking cows I would be an ag mechanic, well I already am for myself!
 
Well if you want something to work on you got the right machine,like a friend of mine used to say that sold Fords "People love their 8N until they get any other tractor"
 
I think you need to wait and go to some tractor shows and find one that both you and your wife like. then check on availabitly of parts and costs. I do know the jd 1010/2010 has a flaw in there motor design and there motors can be very expensive to fix. Also talk to the fellow you buy it from. does he come across as being pretty honest to you. theres still a lot of good hard working people out there that will be as honest as they can. unfortunately there seems to be some that wont. Don't get caught up with buying your tractor. do research on the net and take your time. once you buy it its yours. when you do buy one post a photo of it. we all would like to see what you bought. good luck on your purchase. norm in missouri
 
(quoted from post at 06:50:08 12/16/14) Why avoid N Fords??? I have a 46 that I have had for 14 years. Ran it for 7 smoking some. No problems. After rebuild I prettied it up but still use it a lot. Still no problems. Building a 42. So simple to work on. So much fun to use. Lots of available parts, both new and used. Most very reasonably priced.

Was wondering why the hate myself. All that Richard says is true. I have two (9N and early 8N) that just keep on going.
 
4 to avoid. I had to run all these as a kid --2-8-9N fords biggest pieces of non starting junk ever made, with the most worthless hydraulic systems ever designed and MT Jd, most helpless Jd ever made ranks right up there with those worthless fords. I wish I could have worked at my wife's uncles salvage yard in the 1960's he scraped hundreds of them.
 
"I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul"

I had a 1978 JD-2840 about 15 years ago and wish I hadn't sold it. We used it mostly for our 7ft Howard Rotovator, mulch layer and a Holland transplanter. Liked how easy it was to change the PTO from 540 to 1000 , was pretty decent on fuel and one of the easiest cold starting diesels I've owned.
 
Pull clutch to go, that is absured, push is direction you want to go normally. The Case that had that backward clutch would have me wrecking it every time I tried to use it.
 
Problem with pulling to engage is if your releasing the clutch to pull something and the front starts coming up, your falling back and it's hard to push the clutch forward to disengage. The same is true with throttles. If like the old fords you pull the throttle to speed it up it makes it easy to accidentally throttle up if the front comes up--making things worse. I believe newer tractors are all push to increase.

That said foot clutches also tend to be let go when the front comes up especially for a kid who's having to reach a bit to push it anyway. And it doesn't help that the older tractors clutch peddles are usually worn smooth by now.
 
[i:654c4848f0]"2-8-9N fords biggest pieces of non starting junk ever made"[/i:654c4848f0]

LOL
It could also be said that if a guy can't keep something so simple as an N running he isn't much of a mechanic.
 
Well I have had my 2N for 70 years, I was 8 months old when it came to live with me. What I did not like was on rough plowed ground it was rough to ride on, The seat in between the front and rear axles you got the bumps from both sets of wheels and the smaller rear wheels hit those bumps harder than the larger rear wheels of the deere and setting directly over the rear axle you only got the bumps from the rear axle and not the front. Then stradeling the transmission like so many other models Hard to stand on to drive and I probably spent over 75% of the time standing on both the Deere and Farmall. As for repairing no more than any other make or model. All I have now is that 44 2N and a 41 9N wating for me to get done overhauling it. In past had NAA, 2 Ford 410 and 5100, Ferguson TO30, Moline U, Farmall H, Deeres 38 A, 46 B, 49 B 51 A and 50 AR. The AR had same problem on rough ground as the Fords only in reverse as you sat behind the rear axle. Fords steering hard only if not properly maintained like mine is at present.
 
I know I am not much of a mechanic and the last several years had trouble with my 2N running. Finally think I got problems fixed, first the resistor seems to be bad, putting running current thru it will start to miss and die, just bypass that and it will smooth out and run, then I seemed to be having problems with bad condensors. And that is something that is very confusing to me. Have had people tell me that the condensor has to be grounded to work others say the condensor will work hanging in mid air with only the wire holding it, what is correct?
 
To stay away from, any deisel to start, will not own one. Then any tractor that you cannot just raise up from the seat and stand up on so you can get a better look around.
 
(quoted from post at 18:13:09 12/15/14) I play on team Red AND team Green - and enjoy both. I grew up flogging Fords and MF's around the farm in La., and consider them good brands.

I have JD and Farmall's that I use, but none is "pretty". My wife said I can have a pretty one for Christmas, for trail rides, parades, etc. I'm pretty much up for anything '55 or older, so what brands would you go WAY out of your way to avoid working on?

Growing up we had a neighbor that had a big David Brown that seemed like it was broken more than it was running, but I don't know whether that was (lack of ) maintenance or what.

Alan

I'd stay away from anything that is broken or was intended to be used in parades......I hate parades! I had to march in way too many of them!

Rick
 

Tanker,Your comment on parades made me laugh.I didn't enjoy marching in parades either.I went from France down to Spain to pickup an A.F. band for a parade at Evreux.Got the band and all their gear on board.Went through the engine start checklist and #3 wouldn't start.So happened another aircraft was passing through and on it's way to Evreux. We loaded the band on that bird.I messed around with #3 and finally got it started.Pilot refiled and we left for Evreux.I was smiling inside all the way back because we missed the parade.
 
My Guard unit had to march in a Veterans Day parade once- They put us right in front of the Army Band from Fort Lewis, and being a lover of Sousa marches, I really enjoyed it. And I noticed even the dissidents had a little spring in their step.

Hadn't thought anything about it during the parade, but the band never quit playing- 4 beats after one song ended, they'd start on another. At the end, they were really gasping for air. Talked to one of the guys, and he said the band leader had calculated that if they didn't take any breaks between songs, the parade was just long enough to qualify as an official "practice", and they could have Monday off. While they were all sucking wind at the end, they were laughing and wondering if it was worth it.
 
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.
 

If it's a parade tractor or one for a collection, that's one thing. For a dependable, using tractor, I'm with the crew advising staying away from any Ford prior to the hundred series, the Selcto-Speeds just because so few can work on them and so many are screwed up thanks to previous owners, really old stuff like Fordsons and iron tired crank start stuff with no hydraulics, etc, orphan imports, anything new enough to have a lot of electronics on it and old enough that the parts are hard to find. Other than that, most American and British iron is pretty good stuff.
 
Alan, do you know anything about MF 175? I found one that is gas and pics look decent. Did the data research and all the info looks right. If you would know, what is a decent unit like this worth?

Pete
 
(quoted from post at 10:14:29 12/16/14) My Guard unit had to march in a Veterans Day parade once- They put us right in front of the Army Band from Fort Lewis, and being a lover of Sousa marches, I really enjoyed it. And I noticed even the dissidents had a little spring in their step.

Hadn't thought anything about it during the parade, but the band never quit playing- 4 beats after one song ended, they'd start on another. At the end, they were really gasping for air. Talked to one of the guys, and he said the band leader had calculated that if they didn't take any breaks between songs, the parade was just long enough to qualify as an official "practice", and they could have Monday off. While they were all sucking wind at the end, they were laughing and wondering if it was worth it.

Not a parade but a change of command ceremony at an air guard base here in NYS.8/10ths of the base personal in formation in front of a reviewing stand set up on the flight line.Starts to drizzle rain.Guy in the formation next to a buddy of mine,out the side of his mouth says,"Don't these A-holes know it's raining"?My buddy,after a few seconds says,out the side of his mouth,"They'll tell us when it's raining".
 
(quoted from post at 13:25:29 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.

Then why would you say anything about the 2840 let alone a 2nd hand quote from somebody else?
 
(quoted from post at 15:40:19 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 10:14:29 12/16/14) My Guard unit had to march in a Veterans Day parade once- They put us right in front of the Army Band from Fort Lewis, and being a lover of Sousa marches, I really enjoyed it. And I noticed even the dissidents had a little spring in their step.

Hadn't thought anything about it during the parade, but the band never quit playing- 4 beats after one song ended, they'd start on another. At the end, they were really gasping for air. Talked to one of the guys, and he said the band leader had calculated that if they didn't take any breaks between songs, the parade was just long enough to qualify as an official "practice", and they could have Monday off. While they were all sucking wind at the end, they were laughing and wondering if it was worth it.

Not a parade but a change of command ceremony at an air guard base here in NYS.8/10ths of the base personal in formation in front of a reviewing stand set up on the flight line.Starts to drizzle rain.Guy in the formation next to a buddy of mine,out the side of his mouth says,"Don't these A-holes know it's raining"?My buddy,after a few seconds says,out the side of his mouth,"They'll tell us when it's raining".

We had a lot of parades when I was a young soldier. About the only one I didn't mind was our boot camp graduation parade. Other than that they were dog and pony shows to make the brass feel good about themselves. Didn't have very many parades the last few years :) and I declined a retirement parade. The worst was in 94 at Ft Riley. Dead heat of summer on the airfield. Standing on that concrete with the sun glaring off it. It was brutal. Was for a division change of command. The out going general talked for a very long time. The incoming commander, bless his heart, got his turn and said it's hot, people are passing out. I'll come to each unit at a later date to talk to you. Pass and Review! He turned out to be a very good common sense commander!

Rick
 
The condensor has to be grounded=it 'absorbs' the spark at the points to prevent pitting and burning them up.It does not do anything just hanging in the air-you could leave it off if you were not going to ground it.On my 300 utility the rubbing block will wear out before the points go bad-200/300 hours easy maybe.Mark
 
(quoted from post at 19:50:53 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 13:25:29 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.

Then why would you say anything about the 2840 let alone a 2nd hand quote from somebody else?

Why do you chime in with some of the stuff you do guy? A question was asked, I related the only negative thing I knew about them, end of story.
 
I just cannot believe how many guys say the N is hard to steer.I grew up with one,as well as a 300 and 340 utilities,and it was hands down the easiest,most maneuverable,best brakes,even compared to the new modern tractors that I have driven with p/s and wet brakes.The only thing is, the N needs the sherman hi/lo auxiliary transmission to be perfect.
Sure it is light and bouncy/rough ride to plow with,but it can pull it's plow;and it is not very powerful,but it is economical,safe and easy to operate and does not need much maintenance.Mark
 
My old Deere dealer used to warn us away from the 2840's, the reason why escapes me now. Besides it is moot to this topic as I believe the OP is interested in pre 1955 tractors.
 
Anything steam powered like the old Rumley Oil Pull. Good to collect. But, it takes too long to build pressure to get going.
 
(quoted from post at 20:14:57 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 19:50:53 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 13:25:29 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.

Then why would you say anything about the 2840 let alone a 2nd hand quote from somebody else?

Why do you chime in with some of the stuff you do guy? A question was asked, I related the only negative thing I knew about them, end of story.

What could make all those 2840's around the world have the worst traction?
How can you take the uncontested, non scientifically proved word of a neighbour with unknown credentials. And say the 2840 is a lousy puller.
I suggest you go over to your neighbour and call him the dim witted lying a$$ that he is. 4+ tons of drawbar pull ain't shabby.

est Date: June 14 - 30, 1977
Type: Diesel 12-speed 2WD
PTO power (rated engine speed): 80.65 hp [60.1 kW]
PTO fuel use (engine speed): 5.3 gal/hour [20.1 l/hour]
PTO power (rated PTO speed): 76.27 hp [56.9 kW]
PTO fuel use (PTO speed): 4.8 gal/hour [18.2 l/hour]
Drawbar power (max): 64.86 hp [48.4 kW]
Drawbar fuel use (max): 5.2 gal/hour [19.7 l/hour]
Drawbar pull (max): 8,386 lbs [3803 kg]
Max pull gear: 2H
Test report: PDF file
 
(quoted from post at 22:27:19


How can you take the uncontested, non scientifically proved word of a neighbour with unknown credentials. And say the 2840 is a lousy puller.
I suggest you go over to your neighbour and call him the dim witted lying a$$ that he is. 4+ tons of drawbar pull ain't shabby.

b&d
OK I'll state from personal experience of selling NEW 2840's and repairing them under warranty. IMHO they follow 2010 diesels on the "SORRY TRACTOR LIST" as I had nothing but starting & hyd problems with the ones I sold. Even had to install "under warranty" a new trans housing in one of them.
 
(quoted from post at 00:27:19 12/17/14)
(quoted from post at 20:14:57 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 19:50:53 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 13:25:29 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.

Then why would you say anything about the 2840 let alone a 2nd hand quote from somebody else?

Why do you chime in with some of the stuff you do guy? A question was asked, I related the only negative thing I knew about them, end of story.

What could make all those 2840's around the world have the worst traction?
How can you take the uncontested, non scientifically proved word of a neighbour with unknown credentials. And say the 2840 is a lousy puller.
I suggest you go over to your neighbour and call him the dim witted lying a$$ that he is. 4+ tons of drawbar pull ain't shabby.

est Date: June 14 - 30, 1977
Type: Diesel 12-speed 2WD
PTO power (rated engine speed): 80.65 hp [60.1 kW]
PTO fuel use (engine speed): 5.3 gal/hour [20.1 l/hour]
PTO power (rated PTO speed): 76.27 hp [56.9 kW]
PTO fuel use (PTO speed): 4.8 gal/hour [18.2 l/hour]
Drawbar power (max): 64.86 hp [48.4 kW]
Drawbar fuel use (max): 5.2 gal/hour [19.7 l/hour]
Drawbar pull (max): 8,386 lbs [3803 kg]
Max pull gear: 2H
Test report: PDF file

I related one persons experience/opinion as an owner of a 2840 for several years. That's it guy. Don't getcher shorts in wad just because my neighbor slighted your (apparently) most loved tractor. And read Tx Jims post too.

FWIW- the Nebraska tests say nothing about owner satisfaction.
 
(quoted from post at 08:29:49 12/17/14)
(quoted from post at 00:27:19 12/17/14)
(quoted from post at 20:14:57 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 19:50:53 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 13:25:29 12/16/14)
(quoted from post at 00:28:40 12/16/14) I have heard the JD 2840 was not a good model. I don't know why. Perhaps someone can add as to why. Paul

Neighbor had one. Told me they had the worst traction of any tractor he'd ever used. That's all I know about them.

Then why would you say anything about the 2840 let alone a 2nd hand quote from somebody else?

Why do you chime in with some of the stuff you do guy? A question was asked, I related the only negative thing I knew about them, end of story.

What could make all those 2840's around the world have the worst traction?
How can you take the uncontested, non scientifically proved word of a neighbour with unknown credentials. And say the 2840 is a lousy puller.
I suggest you go over to your neighbour and call him the dim witted lying a$$ that he is. 4+ tons of drawbar pull ain't shabby.

est Date: June 14 - 30, 1977
Type: Diesel 12-speed 2WD
PTO power (rated engine speed): 80.65 hp [60.1 kW]
PTO fuel use (engine speed): 5.3 gal/hour [20.1 l/hour]
PTO power (rated PTO speed): 76.27 hp [56.9 kW]
PTO fuel use (PTO speed): 4.8 gal/hour [18.2 l/hour]
Drawbar power (max): 64.86 hp [48.4 kW]
Drawbar fuel use (max): 5.2 gal/hour [19.7 l/hour]
Drawbar pull (max): 8,386 lbs [3803 kg]
Max pull gear: 2H
Test report: PDF file

I related one persons experience/opinion as an owner of a 2840 for several years. That's it guy. Don't getcher shorts in wad just because my neighbor slighted your (apparently) most loved tractor. And read Tx Jims post too.

FWIW- the Nebraska tests say nothing about owner satisfaction.

The Nebraska tests are valid and accurate unlike Bubba's personal opinion and seat of the pants dynometer.
 
(quoted from post at 01:35:31 12/17/14) I just cannot believe how many guys say the N is hard to steer.I grew up with one,as well as a 300 and 340 utilities,and it was hands down the easiest,most maneuverable,best brakes,even compared to the new modern tractors that I have driven with p/s and wet brakes.The only thing is, the N needs the sherman hi/lo auxiliary transmission to be perfect.
Sure it is light and bouncy/rough ride to plow with,but it can pull it's plow;and it is not very powerful,but it is economical,safe and easy to operate and does not need much maintenance.Mark

The 8 I drove was a bit underpowered, and never had working brakes, but it was stone cold reliable to start, and easy on gas. I thought of it as easy to steer too. I was driving it at the age of 10.

I wound up buying a pretty '51 JD A.

MAN were they ever built for someone with long arms! But the cool factor is off the charts. The rougher idle of the A vs. 60 is just more of what a JD is supposed to sound like. 8)

Alan
 

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