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Brands, Models & Vintage Know-How
Serial numbers, model codes, data plates, parts diagrams and restoration questions come up for every owner. These guides help you identify, value and care for newer and vintage machines.
25 guides in this section.
- How to Read a Tractor Serial Number
The serial number is the closest thing a tractor has to a birth certificate. Knowing where it lives and how to use it saves you from ordering the... - Decoding Tractor Model Numbers
A model number looks like a code because it is one, but every maker has used a different system and changed it over the decades. Here is how to read... - Finding a Tractor's Model Year Without the Paperwork
Plenty of tractors change hands with nothing but a handshake. If the paperwork is gone, you can still build a solid estimate of the model year from... - Why Old Tractors Hold Their Value
Anyone who has watched a decades-old tractor sell quickly at an auction knows the pattern. Old machines hold value because of how they are built, how... - Three-Cylinder vs Four-Cylinder Tractor Engines
Cylinder count is one of the first things buyers notice on a spec sheet, and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it actually changes in daily... - Diesel vs Gas Tractors: What Owners Should Know
Most modern tractors burn diesel, but plenty of older and smaller machines run on gasoline. Understanding how each works helps you buy, fuel and... - Utility Tractor Features Worth Paying For
Every option on a tractor adds cost, and not every option adds value for your ground. Here is how to sort the features you will use every week from... - What Makes a Tractor Worth Restoring
A restoration can take years and cost more than the finished tractor would ever sell for. Deciding whether a machine is worth it before you start is... - Tractor Paint Matching and Touch-Up Basics
Tractor paint is more than looks. It slows rust and keeps iron sound. A good touch-up done on time costs far less than rust repair later. - Collector Tractor Shows: What to Expect
Collector tractor shows are part county fair, part reunion and part swap meet. Knowing what to expect makes a first visit easier and helps you enjoy... - How to Value an Old Tractor
Old tractors do not have a sticker price. Value comes from condition, demand, parts support and what a buyer near you will pay, so a method matters... - Tractor Brand Loyalty: Does It Make Sense
Brand loyalty runs deep in farm country, and sometimes for good reason. The question is whether your loyalty is paying you back or just feeling... - Reading a Tractor's Operator's Manual
The manual is the most useful tool you own that never goes in the toolbox. Learning how it is organized turns it from a stack of pages into answers. - Where to Find Tractor Parts Diagrams
A parts diagram shows how everything fits together and gives each piece a number. It is the fastest way to order the right part the first time. - Tractor Data Plates and What They Tell You
A small metal plate can answer questions that cost hours elsewhere. Here is how to find yours, read it and use what it says. - Why Some Tractors Have Two Clutches
If you have climbed onto an older tractor and found two pedals or a pedal and a lever for the clutch, you are looking at a design meant to keep the... - Standard, Row-Crop and Orchard Tractor Designs
Tractor shape follows the work. Older designs show clearly how makers answered different farming problems, and the same questions still help when you... - Narrow vs Wide-Front Tractors
The front end of a tractor tells you a lot about what it was made to do and how carefully you need to drive it. - Tractor Seats, Controls and Operator Comfort
A tired operator makes mistakes. Comfort is a safety issue as much as a convenience, and many fixes cost little. - Open-Station Tractor Accessories Worth Adding
An open-station tractor leaves you exposed to sun, weather, noise and dust. A few well-chosen accessories make it safer and more comfortable without... - Tractor Fenders, Platforms and Steps
These parts look cosmetic, but they keep your boots away from the tire, your clothes away from the wheel and your footing steady when you climb on... - Tractor Hoods, Grilles and Cosmetic Repairs
Sheet metal takes a beating on a working tractor. Most hood and grille damage is cosmetic, but a few repairs matter for cooling and safety. - Old Hydraulics on Vintage Tractors
Old hydraulic systems are usually simple, but they still hold pressure that can injure you. Understanding the basics helps you diagnose problems and... - Converting a 6-Volt Tractor to 12 Volts
Many owners of vintage tractors consider a 12-volt conversion for easier starting and more reliable lights. It is doable, but it touches almost every... - Storing a Tractor Collection
A good storage plan protects your tractors from the things that harm them most, which are moisture, rodents, sunlight and neglect.