6 High-Hour Tractors Thriving on a Progressive Dairy Farm
Paul and Andrew Gould are dairy farmers who stand out for their meticulous approach to maintaining their fleet of tractors. They own a total of six well-used New Holland and Ford tractors, all of which receive regular maintenance to keep them in top condition.
Each tractor has its engine oil changed every 250 hours and back-end oil once a year, using genuine filters for optimal performance. In the winter months, they dedicate time to more extensive mechanical projects to ensure the tractors are ready for peak season when they are used for various tasks on their 90ha farm in Dorset.
Despite their high hours of operation, the Goulds’ tractors rarely experience serious breakdowns due to their proactive maintenance approach. This allows them to save costs by running older tractors and conducting most of the maintenance themselves.
Their loyalty to Fordson, Ford, and New Holland tractors spans four generations, with their current fleet consisting of models like the Ford 7840 SL Dual Power, New Holland 6640, New Holland T7040, New Holland TM165, New Holland T6040, and New Holland T4.65.
The Ford 7840 SL Dual Power, purchased new in 1994, has been a long-serving and versatile tractor on the farm. Despite having clocked 17,000 hours, it continues to perform various duties with ease. Recently, some mechanical issues were addressed, including misshaped pistons and clutch pack replacements, using genuine or quality aftermarket parts obtained at competitive prices.
The New Holland 6640, bought in 1995, has mainly been used with a mixer wagon and has had little mechanical attention apart from Dual Power clutch pack refreshment. The New Holland T7040, remapped to increase power to 240hp, faced a major repair after a slurry pump incident, but the transmission was essentially rebuilt for continued operation.
The New Holland TM165, added to the fleet for more power in specific tasks, has been reliable despite some minor issues like a failed pto clutch and noisy brakes. The New Holland T6040 with a loader has been heavily used for material handling tasks, receiving a power upgrade and requiring clutch pack and hub replacements.
Lastly, the New Holland T4.65, purchased in 2013, has been a dependable addition to the fleet, requiring minimal repairs despite frequent use for feeding and other farm tasks. The investment in this tractor has proven to be worthwhile with over a decade of trouble-free operation.
In conclusion, the Goulds’ commitment to regular maintenance and proactive repairs has kept their tractor fleet in excellent working condition, allowing them to efficiently manage their farming operations throughout the years.
SOURCE
Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.