why are the tractors of yesterday generally more reliable than the tractors of today? also i find that old tractors are cheaper on fuel, is it because the older technologies were engineered for people with less of a means to pay for fuel and replacement parts? or is it because today we are more of a consumer society? please help me understand these important tractor related issues.

Well 1 reason the Good Ole tractors were so good is they were simple! They were all mechanical instead of electrical.Actually the Newer tractors have pretty good fuel economy except for tractors in the last 5-7yrs and every tractor from now on will have bad economy due to the EMISSIONS BULL SH*T! I do agree that the older tractors were ever bit as good on fuel if not better on fuel; especially the FORD tractors.

Two Words: No Electronics. A battery was used to crank it, if that didn't work, park on a hill and roll start it. Tractors then were used to work hard and long and the engineers knew the owners were going to plow to hell and back. Also, Farmers then would also OWN their own tractors. Not like today where the new tractors are intended to be leased by a big farmer for 3 years to work out bugs and get serviced. My friend has an 70s Farmall I think 1026. Its the oldest piece of equipment they use. They have a 2 year old Case (I think, could be a Massey, I've actually never seen the new tractor, its in the shop everytime I am out at his farm) The Case has been in the shop more in the last 2 years than the Farmall has been in the past 15. Pitiful. But its always electronic crap breaking down.

You got that right.Electronics fail with in 5-10yrs.They are nice till that point.

Todays tractors you cant roll off to start. It sucks. I hate todays tractors. I had a Ford 8n and 9n and never had any trouble out of them. And both of them were built in 1948. I get a 03 John Deere and I'm always having trouble with it. It stays broke down. Tractors shouldnt have Emission sh*t either. Thats the only reason why they had to start puttin turbos on them was because the Emission stuff robbed the horse power.

Yeah but turbos have been around for a while and I agree emissions suck but we have to live with our stupid government officials who haven't a lick of common scence well most of them.