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Western Oregon | I bought a 4430 the fall of '72 and was running it and a 4630. I traded the 4430 for a 4240 the first year they came out and traded the 4630 for a 4640 the next year. I did everything I had been doing with the 4430, with the 4240, weighted light, no liquid ballast, faster, on radials. Same 5-18" plows, same 12'rollerharrow and 23x7" drill. All these tractors were hfwa. Things were transitioning from wheat to grass seed so I didn't need the big horse power, so traded the 46 for another 4240. I really like the non-turbo 466, so responsive and really lugged. Took on more land so another 4240. Neighbors said labor was going to kill me but even with having to run more hours and operators, repair costs dropped even more and made up for it. I got another 4240 thinking I would have more downtime and would give me a spare. I really liked only having to stock one set of everything instead of multiple models. I did the same with trucks, we ran smaller lighter trucks, single axle tractors and doubles to shipping point, single trailer out of fields. Light weight was less, hauled same payload, much cheaper. Smaller engines, simpler transmissions. All same model, same specs, same year with a couple bob tails with hoists that we pulled pups when needed. We ran 9500 GMC's, 6-71 and 10 speeds. Later, ran FL80's with 50 series 4 cyl Detroits and 8 speeds. I never wanted to update, even demo'd 50 and 60 series, ran those 4240's until I had to quit farming because of health issues. I did cut back to just 2 at the end when I was having to downsize because of health. I did buy a 2550 to replace my 2030 loader tractor, wanted a cab. Son still runs a 4040 and a 2550. He did add turbo's to both....James | |
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How long will 90s and 2000s equipment be reliable?
