"I think some of you fellers just enjoy working on old tractors and never had your a$$ glued to the seat of one day in and day out trying to make a living on a hard scrabble farm. "
I've lived and worked around "hard scrabble" farms for over 40 years - including winters when it gets down to 30 F below. And soil is all hard-pan and gives any tractor a workout when spring or fall plowing. From what I've experienced, first-hand, with small scale farms and steep land with short growing seasons . . . the people that used (and still use) older equipment and keep it in good shape have faired a lot better then those using mostly new equipment. That mainly because the latter are usually hopelessly in dept.
One good friend of mine who retired from dairy farming 5 years ago - was one of the top producers in this area, paid cash for everything - and was then - and is now - doing very well. His farm was once a Deere dealership - which used to be common. All his tractors except one were dealership leftovers from the 1950s. A 420, two 530s, and a 620. He also used - for his "big" tractor a Deere 2520. Besides that he kept a Ford 4000 backhoe-loader around that he bought used in 1965 (I have it now). He also had a Deere 4420 combine. He outfarmed - and out-profited all the other farmers in this area - and also made enough to take off for a few weeks every year to Florida. I did much of his repair work for 30 years - and know, first-hand how he did things, how his equipment held up, etc. And, by the way - as I said - I now own his old Ford 4000 backhoe-loader. It's basically just a glorified 800 series tractor with a Sherman aux and attachments. That tractor has done an incredible amount of work over the years and has had one set of brakes put into it ever. Right now - they are squeaking on one side - which is the least of my worries.
The second largest farm that still exists in my area (since most went broke and quit) is another personal friend who took over the farm from his parents over 25 years ago. He has two Deere Bs (for raking hay), a 520, a 2510, a 4030, and a 4520. He does all his own repairs, builds his own farm buildings, etc. Also has a Ford 4000 backhoe along with a Ford 545 hoe and a Deere 350 crawler/dozer. Zero debt and he does very well at dairy farming. Better then most - except for the Amish around here.
I'll also add that I've worked for three Deere dealerships since the 1960s - all focused in areas with small family farms. I presently own two small farms and sell produce and maple syrup. I don't rely on it for all my income - but it goes pretty well. I don't own a single piece of equipment newer than 1972 - and for on-the-road trucks - my newest is a 1994. I can fix all the stuff myself, parts are easy to get - and I don't own anyone a dime. Works good for me.
One more note - I've never been, nor will I ever be a Ford fan. But, that being said - with most - their brakes are worlds better than any 1010 or 2010 Deere ever made - and that's where my comments began.
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Today's Featured Article - A Brief History of Tractors in Australia - by Bob Kavanagh. After Captain Cook's exploration of the east coast in 1770 the British Government decided to establish a penal colony in Australia. The first fleet arrived in 1788 and consisted mainly of convicts who were poorly equipped and new little of farming techniques. The colony remained far from self-supporting and it was not until the early 1800's that things started to improve. Free settlers started to arrive, they followed the explorers across the mountains and where land was suitable set up farms. T
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