40-Year Old Tractors in High Demand
Did you ever hear someone say, “they just don’t make things like they used to”? This phrase typically refers to cars, houses, or clothing. In the 21st century, though, this is true even in agriculture!
Over the last 50 years alone, technology has shaped American agriculture significantly. From autonomous tractors, to genetically modified organisms- there is a continuous cycle of advancements within the industry.
New technology is becoming especially present in tractors. Features such as autosteer, telematics, and hyper precision are just a few of the advancements that are taking tractors to the next level.
Although this more advanced technology is crucial to feeding our growing population, some farmers struggle with it. What once could be fixed with a wrench and screwdriver, now must be fixed with wire and a handful of connectors. This is causing many farmers to choose 40-year-old tractors over the fancy, new models.
Farmers are seeking tractors that were once deemed “collectors items”. Instead of early retirement for these old workhorses, they are being put back to work in the fields. These tractors are easier to use, simpler to fix, and, in the opinion of some farmers, more reliable.
The goal is simple for many farmers: buy tractors from the generation before computers took over.
“The tractors manufactured in the late 1970s and 1980s look and run like modern tractors, but lack the computer components that drive up costs and make repair a nightmare,” says Matthew Gault of Vice.com.
Tractors are a large investment (often upwards of $100,000!), so it’s become crucial for farmers to make the right purchasing decision. Put simply, many of them don’t want to purchase something that they can’t fix up themselves and easily get used tractor parts for. There is certainly a right to repair element of this decision as well, which we detailed here.
Next time you think about purchasing a tractor, consider all of these factors, and you’re sure to make the right decision for your farm!