730 Questions

I'm wanting some more information on 730 Diesels. Did they all come with flat top fenders or was this an option? Is it better to find one with a pony start or electric? How much work will they handle, will they mow hay, pull 4-16 plow, or any other light farm chore?

Thanks

I won't ever do that to it again!

The harshness of the diesel knock at that temperature is absolutely incredible! Was enough to make an Amishman say some Hail Marys!

The pony (if maintained properly) is usually a more sure winter start than electric but electrics start quick & easy most of the time. In the summer, while I'm still waiting for my pony's carb to fill with fuel, the electric start is already rolling out of the barn. By the time my pony's warmed up a bit and ready to start motoring the diesel, the electric can be hitched to a trailer plow & be on it's way back the lane.

I believe electric start became more popular because they did start well and were MUCH lower maintenance than a pony even with their eight battery posts and clamps. The pony carb (at least mine) seems to need readjustment between summer & winter. It takes two sets of points & condensers. It is another crank case oil level to maintain with a different grade of oil than the diesel uses. It has a transmission oil level. It has a clutch to be adjusted periodically and an oil bath air cleaner that MUST be maintained because it is the fresh air inlet to the diesel's crank case. You can't change the pony's oil without contaminating the diesel's oil 'cause the pony's oil drains into the diesel's crankcase. If you have any fuel system leaks it will always be out of gas as it only holds a quart to start with. Sometimes you have to choke the pony a bit if it starts to die or you have to let off the cranking clutch or maybe both. Once the diesel is rolling you close the valves & then throttle up the diesel. As soon as it starts, disengage the clutch. Usually once you close the diesel's valves & commit to starting the diesel, it's all be over in just a few seconds. Some people just never quite get the hang of it & hate the thought of having to contend with that little screaming beast on top. My Dad is one of them. If I start it, he'll run it. If I don't, he'll walk a mile to get to an A, artificial knees and all. Lot simpler to poke a button 'till it starts to putt then let go.

Maintenance is the key. A pony start is more to maintain & some people have trouble maintaining an anvil. It is my opinion that the 2 cylinder diesels (pony or electric) are wonderful, tough, incredibly fuel efficient hard working machines each with a unique character. You have to decide upon the machine that best fits you, your character and how much TLC you're willing to give to it. I'm one that likes pony starts. Most of this is just like the color wars. Which one is "best" all depends on what you do with the machine, how good your dealer support is and some times not much more than what color Dad ran.

I look back & see I've typed a lot & it probably isn't worth much but it's my couple o pennies for today.

LLOT.. Long Live Old Tractors (of all colors).

Later.

That would indicate to me that they were optional. It is obvious when going through the brochure that Deere was pushing them, as there are only a couple pictures of tractors without fenders.

Stan

You'll probably get a bunch of opinions on this, but here are a few of my thoughts:

Pony vs. Electric start : The pony is pretty dependable, as long you have one in good repair and in tune. Major repair can mean major dollars (but parts for all these old ones are pretty pricey anyway). If you are in a cold climate, the pony will start when an electric is just getting a boost from the charger (and a coolant heater can't hurt !). Electric is generally viewed as a simpler system, but you then have to contend with the 24V system, which can be expensive to repair and maintain, too. The electric will really suffer in low temeratures. The pony method is kind of neat, but then if you shut the tractor off in the back 40, and then on re-start you discover you didn't fill the gas tank, you'll have a long walk to think about it !

As far as flat top fenders, fenders were an option back then, and not everyone opted for them. They can get in the way of loaders, and had to come off when you mounted the picker.

I have a 70 Diesel, the grandad of a 730. We pulled 4-14's in decent soil. Our neighbor had a 730 with 4-16's and always said it was either a good load for it, or a tough load for it, depending on conditions. It really depends on your ground, and the weight you put on the tractor. Rule of thumb, I think a 730 was right there sort of between a 3010 and a 3020 in power. I don't know that I'd call pulling 4-16's a "light farm chore". Way back when, that load was one that would have made the neighbors stop and watch.

As far a mowing hay, it will run a mower with a crimper on the back. Our neighbor puller a 42 combine with his (the pull-type version of the 45). I'm not familiar with the load presented by today's round balers, so I can't offer a guess.

I hope this helps.

Frank

Also there are a number of suppliers out there offering 12 volt retrofits to replace the ponys so you can draw your own conclusions.