The gas/diesel discussion comes up weekly on these forums, you can search through the archives if you have time. A gas will burn about 1/3 more gallons of fuel that costs 15 to 20 percent less per gallon. Almost any tractor newer than 1970 (44 years old now) will be a diesel.
How many tach hours will you put on the tractor per year? If you will use it 500 hours per year, then a diesel will have significant fuel savings. At 50 hours per year there's not enough fuel savings to pay off the normally higher price of a diesel. At low usage, which ever system you are more comfortable working on will probably be the better choice for you.
Gas requires maintenance more often, but it's simple and low cost. They are quieter and start without assistance. Diesel engines run longer between overhauls and require maintenance less often (other than starting difficulties, and bleeding the fuel system), but when maintenance and overhauls are required, it costs about twice as much as on a gas engine. Diesels are noisier. Diesel tractors have more prestige, like diesel pickups.
For a low use tractor, I would think tractor condition, price, tires, parts support and features like: power steering, 3 point hitch, live PTO, live hydraulics, speed selections, good brakes, tight turning and operator comfort are probably more important than gas vrs diesel engine.
The Nebraska Tractor Tests are one good source of technical information and specifications when you need to compare tractors. The tests do include the actual hourly fuel usage and fuel efficiency that were measured on a test track. Prices, maybe try Tractor House?
If there's no electricity handy, my own preference would be to stay with a gas tractor.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Chores - by Frank Young. The ceaseless passing of time! It is at once our friend and our enemy. It measures our progress and it makes us old. Like most features of our life, few things are all good or all bad, and most such judgments depend on our own perspective or viewpoint. In our particular hobby, we enjoy the nostalgic return to the days of our youth as we recreate many of the scenes that took place on the family farm that served as the stage for the first few acts of the play that is our live
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.