An old traktor - what's the point?

A few words for old-traktor-newbies like me. This page is written from an everyday use view. Very often the old traktor hobby is shifted toward restoaration and collection - I'm not that far, yet.
If you have some comments or articles, please, let me know. My email address is pdunkel@nic.fi

I planned to buy some kind of a garden miniature traktor or what ever when a friend of mine suggested me to buy a REAL traktor. For the moment the prices are very reasonable. A traktor manufaktured in 1960's, in reasonable shape and condition, costs about 1,000 euros. Comapre that price to a small garden gizzmo with 4,5 hp ...

3 point hitch blade.

The benefits of a REAL traktor are:

• low price
• rough design
• very sturdy and durable design
• standardic applications (? what's the correct word for this?)
• low costs for using
• easy to repair and you're able to find spare parts, even new one
• works in difficult terrain, remember the safety
• etc

David Brown 950 with a fork lift.

Do I need a traktor?

Of course you need! (What a stupid question) If you have a yard with one hectare or even a half you sure will find use for a good old David Brown or similar. Most usual uses are pulling the carry, splitting/sawing woods, lifting and moving heavy things and driving around. Everything goes pretty smooth with a traktor.

How much does it cost, does it need much of repair?

All machines needs to take care even the old traktors. What comes to old traktors it's mostly of changing oils and filters. The oil volumes are huge! The gearbox swallows easily 20 litres of oil... But the costs are practically quite low.

This traktor stopped in the middle of the field.
After a while of work it started again.

What should I know before buying one?

Practically nothing. The tractors are quite simlple machines, most problems are possible to fix. In normal use the traktors seems to last for ever.

1. Check out that the traktor looks okay.
2. Try that the engine starts easily, without any bigger work.
3. Test drive the traktor, try all the gears. The pedals are (usually) in the same order like in cars. Usually there are two breaking pedals, one for each back wheel.
4. Try the PTO (Power take out). This should be able to switch on/of even if the engine is running.
5. Try the 3-point lift. This should be able to lift hundreds of kilos.

Traktorin applications

Carry - one of the best and propably most used. Very easy to move tons of stuff around the yard.

Hitch blade - easy to use, durable. With this you may easily move snow, dirt, whatever (see the photo at top of this page).

 

Snow blower - this is powered by the PTO and makes snow removing fun. Check out the video made by Andy Gulley by clicking the photo below.

Forklift - this moves your personal "junkyard" on a whole new level.

 

 

Safety first !

When you start to use your traktor always remember the safety. With a traktor you're able to do conciderably damage to yourself and your enviroment. Use common sense with the mechanical beast.

Anything to add?

Do not hesitate to email pdunkel@nic.fi all additional info are more than welcome!

[Takaisin etusivulle]