Compact Tractors vs Antique Tractor

After reading several articles about the increase in sales of compact tractors, I had to wonder why not old tractors? They would be a lot more fun to drive. (Just my opinion).

Let me go into what the market has to offer for new. A few years ago there were fewer than 10 brand names of tractors under 100hp. This year at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY. There were more than 20. More and more Americans are choosing to move out of the cities and onto acreages. This demands mowing, haying, planting, and hauling. Small tractors are versatile tools that can help with all of those jobs. Between 1982 and 2002 sales numbers for 100plus hp tractors declined 11%, while sales for under 40hp tractors rose 121%. Sales for 40 to 100 hp tractors rose 125%.

For new compact tractors the North American manufacturers all have their own small models. Agco has ST, GT, and LT series that range from 25 to 85hp. Massey Ferguson has the 1500 series, and GC 2400 and 2600 series. Case IH re-introduced the Farmall brand with its JX series, which ranges from 45 to 85hp. John Deere has the 4000 ten and 4000 twenty series. They range from 50 to 90hp. New Holland’s Boomers also range from 18 to 55hp. Kubota, a Japanese company, but now assembles many of its products in the U.S. Kubota line includes BX, B, L and M series tractors from 15 to 99hp. I am still leaving many companies out, like McCormick, Mahindra, Eicher, Kioti, Montana, Scorpion, and Eagle. All of this just goes to show there are many many choices. Which means more competition, better quality, and lower prices. You can get economy models to one with all the frills. Today’s small tractors can be loaded with features such as heated and air conditioned cabs with stereo systems, seats with adjustable air-cushioned rides, and automatic transmissions as easy to operate as your car.
All that and I still hold strong with the antique tractors handling every chore you have, and with a lot less money out of your pocket. I will use one of my own tractors for an example. I have a 1964 4020 John Deere diesel, 94 pto hp, live pto, 3 point hitch, power shift transmission. It’s a great tractor, and will do every thing the new one’s do.