What's a grey-market tractor? Well, that's one that originally sold overseas and was imported to the United States as a used tractor. It doesn't have some of the safety features, like ROPS, that are required for sale in the US. I like buying US products when I can and I started the search for a tractor at the John Deere dealership. I was talking to the salesman and we released the bonnet over the engine. I looked at the data tag and on that green John Deere, the tag said "built by Yanmar". I thanked the guy, lowered the bonnet and went down to a used tractor dealer who sold me the 1600.
It's got a two cylinder diesel engine and it's fairly bullet-proof. The problem started this past winter when I realized that the little tractor hadn't been started in almost two years. I got the key and it wouldn't fire off. Since then, I've been piddling with it, replaced all the filters, fixed some wiring problems and cleaned it up. This morning I took off the fuel tank, emptied the old diesel, purged the fuel system and installed a new battery. It fired right off.
I don't know that I really need a tractor in suburbia, but I'm loathe to get rid of it. There's so much you can do if you have your own tractor, and mine is paid for. If I buy a small box blade I'd be able to move dirt around. What I really ought to do is find someone willing to put a small front-end loader on it.
Everybody needs to have their own tractor.
My grandfather kept his Massey Ferguson and used it to plow snow (in Cooperstown, NY) and drag his ice shack back and forth from the lake. I don't think his rented backyard was as big as your pool but he shared a driveway with his landlord (a life-time friend).
ReplyDeleteYep, everybody needs a tractor.
Ford 8N, they run forever, and you can STILL get parts for a 1947 one... :-)
ReplyDeleteI've got a 1950 Case VAI with an original front end loader. Gas tank tank leaks a little. I don't use it much anymore because you have to pour gas in it and then drain it when your are done.
ReplyDelete"Tallpine"