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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel?

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Andrew H

06-17-2005 16:31:29




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I am looking for a used compact tractor really cheap. Am I better off looking for a gas or diesel tractor? If I find an old gas tractor, am I asking for trouble?




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Jason Simmerman

06-18-2005 20:06:33




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
Diesel or gas really it isn't a real issue to be honest. I think your best option is to just shop around and see. I would get what is a good deal for your buck. A diesel requires less maintainence, but when it does it requires alittle more techinical knowledge than a old gasser does if you do repairs yourself. With that said just shop smart. Have a shopping price in mind. If you want to rototill a garden ask yourself is a live PTO and or hydralics important to you. If you want something to put a bucket on, that would steer me away from a tractor with a tricycle front end even though others say you would be fine. Also are two way hydralics something you want because alot of the older machines only have one way hydralics. That helps alot knowing what you can afford and what your requirements are. Use Ebay as a general price guide and ask around on here to get a general idea of what you should pay. Each tractor model has something that is alittle quirky about it, so find out what that is. For example the ford 8N series tractors are known for the draft control on the hydralics to go crap. Best of luck and ask around and see.

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Dave H (MI)

06-18-2005 06:41:48




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
Ford 1520 diesel with 4WD (loader is nice) can be found if you look. I have had one since 1989 and it is a superior machine that has only been to the shop once in 16 years. Good all around small tractor that will fit tight places.



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3 cyl

06-18-2005 04:27:35




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
Andrew,
A gasser should produce less engine noise if that is a factor for you.
3 cyl



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Aussietractor

06-18-2005 01:51:45




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
G"day to all, I don"t know if its worth anything to you in up over, but here in Aussie there are no petrol [gas] tractors sold these days. All tractors are diesel powered, but then we don"t have the extreme cold as you have. Also diesel is more fuel efficient.

We do have some very cold areas in the Snowy Mountains, but there is not much farming carried there.

Is it because of the extreme cold that you experience in some parts that they run gas. What about the areas that are warmer, do they run gas? Please let me know.

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Leland

06-17-2005 21:42:47




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
If you are in a real cold climate the gasser will start easier when it's super cold out I have found



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txgrn

06-17-2005 19:14:27




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
I have just converted my fleet to 100% diesel. No predudice, just seems that diesels just run better with fewer problems and surely with less fuel and lots of torque.

Mark



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paul

06-17-2005 16:58:37




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Andrew H, 06-17-2005 16:31:29  
Can you actually find a gas model? Figured all were imports with small diesel....

--->Paul



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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

06-17-2005 18:05:37




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to paul, 06-17-2005 16:58:37  
The small old gas tractors like the Ford 8N and Ferguson T0-20 are sometimes troublesome, but a lot of people like them and they are quite affordable.



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j cook (iowa)

06-17-2005 19:15:31




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, , 06-17-2005 18:05:37  
The small gas tractors were certainly available, and many were AMerican made even into the 1970's so a TO20 or 8N are not the only choices. There were a lot of good Masseys, like the 50 and 65, John Deeres like the 1020,1520 and 2020, Olivers like the 550 and a lot more from other brands, CASE and AC for example. ALso Ford 2000 and 3000 and 4000 tractors were available in gas also.



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Robert in W. Mi.

06-18-2005 08:18:36




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to j cook (iowa), 06-17-2005 19:15:31  
What you say is true, but none of them are considered "compacts" by todays standards.

Compacts are all the small "imported tractors" made today that are bigger than garden tractors, but not as big and heavy (or as tough) as the small utility farm tractors your talking about.

A new(er) diesel tractor in good condition will start faster and run better in the cold that the gas tractors that "use to be made". I'll put any of mine up against any gasser in the cold for starting or otherwise.

I can't think of even one true compact that is a gasser, so the origional question wasn't needed as there aren't any "compact" gassers made.

Robert

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paul

06-18-2005 11:18:16




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to Robert in W. Mi., 06-18-2005 08:18:36  
Dad replaced the magneto with a dist on the IHC H. However, with a good magneto again, I would put that tractor up against your (or my) diesels in any cold you want..... :)

All my gassers are 6v, they are good to about minus 5. That H with magneto we used to start everything else when it was minus 20 or so. No plug in, it would fire up.

--->Paul



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Robert in W. Mi.

06-18-2005 19:28:44




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to paul, 06-18-2005 11:18:16  
The reason i said i'd put my diesels up against any gas tractor is, all either can do is start. My diesels have never been plugged in, and always start. Of course, it doesn't get much colder than -10F here.

BTW, i have more gas tractors than diesel, and none of the gas tractors start as good as the diesels, i don't even start them in the winter anymore.

Robert



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steveormary

06-17-2005 20:14:45




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to j cook (iowa), 06-17-2005 19:15:31  
My deisel tractor gave me less trouble then my gassers. I would go diesel.

steveormary



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j cook (iowa)

06-18-2005 06:16:54




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to steveormary, 06-17-2005 20:14:45  
I would too! The man asked about gassers, however. Presonally, I'd only own a diesel from now on, due to gas costs.



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Pajamafied John

06-18-2005 13:42:39




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 Re: Used Compact Tractor: Gas or Diesel? in reply to j cook (iowa), 06-18-2005 06:16:54  
Back when I got my first tractor I was talking to an old fella that was always rebuilding and restoring old Iron. I said something about trying an old diesel. He said he stayed away from them. I was shocked ! 'Course I asked why. He said they were fine if you knew the tractor. But if you got one that needed an injector pump you could just bump the cost up another $800 minimum. That got my attention. Then you got guys using starting fluid in the cold and busting out the top rings on the piston. I believe they are great tractors if you know the one you are buying, but do due diligence. ( hey that didn't sound quite right)

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