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Jeep: funny name serious vehicle.

The origins and rise of the Jeep from its early days as a military vehicle to today’s use as a major brand of SUV follow a path through history making events in the twentieth century. Today, Jeeps have a wide fan base with people from a variety of backgrounds. What is the appeal of the Jeep? How did it become a car of choice for soccer moms in 2000 from its beginnings as an Army transport vehicle in World War II?

Birth of the Jeep: World War II

The United States Army needed a vehicle for transporting their personnel. Certain parameters in durability in a variety of climates and terrains had to be followed. In order to fill the contract for the lowest cost, the military sought bids from three major automotive companies: American Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company, and Willys-Overland.

The first design accepted by the Army was the “Old Number One” 1940 pilot model designed by the American Bantam Car Company. Sixty-nine more vehicles were built by American Bantam and were named the Mark II’s. The Mark II’s did not quite fit into the torque requirements for the engine, and the Army was loathe to offer the contract to such a small company as American Bantam. This decision to turn down the Mark II’s resulted in the two other competitors for the Army contract to have second tries.

The lowest bidding Willys-Overland won the contract, but like many vehicle makers at the time, it was a small company with a single plant. Fearing sabotage and plant shutdowns, the Army asked the much larger Ford Motor Company to build the Jeeps. These were designated by Ford as GPW: G for government, P in reference to the 80 inch wheelbase, and W for using the Willys-Overland car design.

After the War: Rise of the Civilian Jeeps

During World War II, both Ford and Willys continued to build the Jeeps each producing over 300,000 units for the Army, but toward the end of the war, Willys began to manufacture a civilian model, the CJ-2 also known as the Agrijeep. While there were just over two dozen Agrijeeps made, it marked the beginning of a new era for the vehicle. Following on the heels of Willys’ Agrijeep were the CJ-2A’s. A production number of more than 200,000 was turned out and released to the public in the late 1940s following the war. Willys-Overland’s CJ civilian series would remain in production through the 1980s. When a major competitor arose in the marketplace.

American Motor Company introduced the Jeep Wrangler YJ in 1986. Over its ten year production run, over 600,000 Jeep Wranglers were built. These vehicles changed the design of the CJs by being lower to the ground and having a wider frame. Initial reaction from Jeep fans was luke-warm at best, but soon, the Jeep Wrangler won over a large following which continues to this day.

In 1987, American Motor Company was bought out by Chrysler and with it took over the construction of the Jeep Wrangler. DaimerChrysler continued for twenty years to build the Jeeps until it sold its Jeep division in 2007 to a private owner which runs the Chrysler-Holdings LLC.

Jeeps in the Future

With its wide popularity, it is unlikely that the production of the all Jeeps and the most popular model, Jeep Wrangler, will completely disappear. Fans all over the world join with others in clubs to express their love for these unique and versatile vehicles, leading to the phrase, “It’s a Jeep thing; you wouldn’t understand.”

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Source by Ryan Harris

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Classic cars for sale are big business these days. There is no shortage of unscrupulous people who will take your money and vanish!

To be a knowledgeable buyer, the biggest chunk of your time will be spent in what I call the homework or prep stage. Probably 70 percent of your time will be spent studying classic car sale information, researching, and consulting with trusted friends or experts as to the authenticity and details of the car. After you have done your homework, the rest is a simple buying transaction. The more prepared a buyer, the smoother and faster the transaction.

What this means is you will need to invest the necessary time and money to thoroughly research what you are buying. It is all about the preparation. The one thing that rings true is either you are going to spend the time or money to investigate your potential purchase or you hire an expert to handle the transaction for start to finish.

Three Tips to Prevent Classic Car Scams

1. Know What You Want to Purchase

The top details for clarity are knowing what you are looking for, how much you have to spend, and how far you are willing to travel. Buying a vintage classic or muscle car is an exercise in search and process of elimination. Think of yourself as a modern day Sherlock Holmes. There is no use in looking at a show car if you can realistically only afford a project car or a weekend cruiser.

Because the internet has made our world smaller, do not waste a buyer’s time if they live halfway across the country and you are only willing to buy locally.

Check the NADA price guide so you have a ballpark of what the car will cost depending on condition. If the deal is too good to be true, (Are you really going to buy a 1969 Camaro in great condition for $5000?) then it could be scam. If you contact the seller and they insist on wiring a deposit, then you will know for sure it is a scam. Guaranteed you will never see the cash again!

2. Research Your Vehicle

Buying a classic car has become serious business. Classic cars for sale are now selling for what I paid for my first house. Would you buy a house with out having a house inspection? Probably not. The same goes with buying a muscle car for sale. Do your research. Get as much information as you can about the make, model, and year, and options of the car. The more educated you are about the car, the better you can negotiate if needed. And it also indicates to the seller that you know what you are talking about.

The internet makes it easy to do research. Join a forum that is focused on the type of car you are looking to buy. I know serious car collectors who will not buy a car unless they bring in an expert or guru to look at it first. If it is good enough for them, it is probably an idea you may want to consider. There nothing wrong about not knowing everything about a car. You definitely want to avoid paying for what looks like a highly desirable car only to find out that it is a clone.

Many people have saved themselves thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars just by paying an expert to inspect and document a car. If the car is extremely desirable and rare, the old adage of you can pay me now, or you can pay me later applies. Either hire an expert, or talk with someone you trust who can help you look at the car. Online car forums and clubs are great resources for this type of information.

3) Make Sure All Your Questions Get Answered

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Having clarity gives you the confidence to make a buying decision. This serves many purposes. Before you physically look at the car, contact the seller and ask the important questions.

Here are a number of key questions to ask the seller even if the details are not mentioned in the ad (This can double check the seller’s credibility that they really do know the details about their car). I find asking questions in categories is useful in organizing the information.

Engine, Drive Train, Options

* What is original to the car? (Engine, transmission, differential)
* Drive train specs (hp, engine size, rear axle ratio, transmission type)
* Options – A/C PS, PB, Vinyl roof, trim packages
* How does it run?

Body and Interior

* Interior color and condition?
* Body panels original, any accidents, frame damage, paint and body panel condition?
* Currently inspected and roadworthy or project restoration car?
* Mileage and any known mechanical problems?

Title and Price

* Does the car have a “clean” title?
* What is the asking price or at least a ballpark figure

How does it look?

* Can you get detailed digital pictures? If so, get A LOT so you can see every detail.
* Send to experts or post on a forum for opinions. The seller may think the car is all original, but may not know. An expert can spot the obvious.

Logistics

* Will they allow you to bring in an expert, or independent third party to
inspect and verify the car (If not, RUN from the deal. Do not walk)?
* Is there a place locally where you could arrange to put the car up on
a lift and do a visual and physical inspection?

This may sound like a lot of work, but it is fundamental for a solid transaction where you get exactly what you want.

The best piece of advice I can offer is to remember you are in control of the
transaction. If there is something that does not feel right about the car or the seller or anything related to the transaction, let it go. This includes being pressured by a seller to make a quick decision. If a deal is going to work, it needs to be natural and a win-win situation for both parties. There is normally something fishy going on, if a seller starts to hard close a deal. There is no use in trying to force a deal to work from either party.

Your Dream Car Finder makes finding, authenticating and delivering your dream car easy!

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Source by Tim Leary

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Just like the traditional channels of purchasing a car, you will have to meet moral and immoral sellers. The actions of the immoral, are making it harder and harder for those morally ethical sellers because the general consensus is becoming that every car being sold has a hidden problem. Houston craigslist cars also has immoral dealers, or private sellers that are willing to bend backwards to convince you that the car is in perfect condition, and no mechanical work need to be done on it.

To analyze the Houston car market on Craig’s list, I decided for the purposes of this article to pick a popular car, Toyota Camry. The analyzing process involved contacting every listed Toyota Camry. The process lead me to come up with a list of obstacles that you should be ready for when using Houston craigslist cars. Hence, just like I stress in every other article I write, watch out for scams, and do you homework.

Houston craigslist cars gives you the option to chose between cars listed by dealers, or private sellers. This turned out to be a problem, because almost every dealer had their car listed on both categories, with different description, and slightly different price. I was surprised by the fact that almost half of the population I contacted thinking would be a private seller, turned out being a dealer.

Missing information or incomplete information. A big percentage of the cars were missing one or a combination of the odometer reading, the transmission, and the title status. Sometimes it was because the seller forgot about it, which is fine with me, so long I would get an answer that fits the asking price.

An inconvenience that I face shopping on Houston craigslist cars, is the face that some sellers don’t list their phone number, of course this leads me to believe that they are not serious about selling, especially after I emailed every seller with no listed phone number, and soon later found out that they were asking much more than the fair market value for the car. And when I asked about the reason for not listing the phone number, they said because we only want serious buyer. for more information, visit the section I dedicated my website you are interested in obtaining more information about houston craigslist cars.

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Source by khalid r mustaffa

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Over the last few years, the world has witnessed an emergence of numerous car models. It won’t be wrong to say that today the level of competition has been increased and the market has got bombarded with different car models. Every new model being introduced in the auto market contains new features. Perhaps, today every car is acting as a luxury sedan and contains magnificent features that make it difficult for buyers to make a proper selection. However, the fuel efficiency has been one key feature that has always played a vital role in making the proper selection of a good car.

Today there are still many people who are looking for more economical and fuel efficient cars . In fact, if we carefully study the current scenario, the average person merely can’t manage to pay for a vehicle that consumes to much fuel. Ultimately, the money spent in purchasing a car is more like an investment, and no body likes to make a wrong decision. That fact remains that along with the environment; there is one key factor that drives people to shop for cars that are not just environment friendly, but fuel efficient that in turn affects the budget as well. It doesn’t matter whether you are purchasing a car for your daily commuting or excursions, you should have a car that suits your lifestyle and consumes less fuel. If you are planning to buy a fuel efficient car, here are some of the best models you can look for:

Honda Civic- EPA city/highway mileage: 26/34 (manual), 25/36 (automatic), 40/45 (hybrid)

For years, Honda Civic has been one of the most popular compact cars admired in Australia. Without doubt, today its popularity can be attributed to its steady high level of finish and luxury, but its fuel efficiency element cannot be ignored. In fact, when it comes to squeezing every last inch of motion out of a drop of gasoline, there cannot be any comparison. The current model is the best and the most fuel-efficient. If that isn’t enough, there is another model of Honda, a hybrid version of the Civic as well as the super-green Civic GX, which can run on natural gas and requires no gasoline at all.

Ford Focus- EPA city/highway mileage: 24/35 (manual), 24/33 (automatic)

In terms of fuel efficiency and performance there cannot be any comparison to the Ford Focus. Designed by Ford’s European division, this car model fuel economy trails a bit compared to Japanese compacts, but it’s cheap to buy, and pleasing to drive. It is easy on your pocketbook when it comes to keeping the gas tank filled. A 13.5 gallon fuel tank usually allows you to travel almost 325 miles non-stop.

Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC- EPA city/highway mileage: 23/32

There are very few cars in the world that can match the fuel efficiency of Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC in terms of diesel powered cars. This model is the best answer who always thinks – a diesel car always consumes more fuel. In fact, if you get the chance to test-drive a Mercedes E320 BLUETEC then you must go for it. Its key feature of 3-liter V6 power plant offers an impressive power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a compact sedan.

Toyota Camry Hybrid- EPA city/highway mileage: 33/34

Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the most affordable cars in the current scenario. In fact, it is one of the best models that feature rock-solid dependability, exceptional comfort along with better fuel economy at an economical price. Adding to this, it is one among those models that can offer an altogether conventional driving experience and features a bigger (2.4 litre) engine and conventional tires that makes it a fuel economical car.

Toyota Corolla– EPA city/highway mileage: 26/35 (manual), 27/35 (automatic) Today it won’t be wrong to consider Toyota Corolla as one of the country’s best-selling vehicles. It is in fact considered as one of the most remarkable economical cars in present context. It features impressive fuel economy with the volume-selling base 1.8-liter engine, and its ride is more compliant than the typical compact sedan’s.

Today it is not that difficult to get the best car for your money that can save you fuel as well. All you need is proper research and to compare the fuel efficiency for the best deals on the car you want. Owning a car actually matters, and so it is better to make a selection considering the fuel efficiency factor.

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Source by Tis Amit

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It is important to complete an auto bill of sale form when selling or buying a used car. For the seller, an auto bill of sale form provides proof that title to the used car has been legally transferred. For the buyer, the auto bill of sale form documents the purchase of the used car. The auto bill of sale form should contain:

1. name and address of the buyer; 2. name, address and signature of the seller; 3. complete vehicle description, including the Vehicle Identification Number(VIN); 4. description of trade-in, if any; 5. purchase price of the vehicle.

Auto bill of sale forms are required in many states to register the newly purchased used car. These states usually require a state specific auto bill of sale form that documents specific information such as the purchase price for tax assessment or to obtain the actual mileage/odometer reading of the used car. A generic auto bill of sale form will not be accepted in these states. You will need to obtain a state specific auto bill of sale form. To register a used car in other states, all that’s required is that the title assignment section on the title be completed and signed. Many of these states have added to the title assignment section of the title the information that was previously collected with separate documents (i.e. odometer disclosure statement, sales price/tax statements, etc.). In these states, an auto bill of sale form is not required to register the used car and is used by the seller/buyer to document the initial sale/purchase of the automobile.

A promissory note form is a written promise to pay money to someone. A promissory note form can be used to create a legally binding agreement when financing the sale of personal property, such as a used car. You can complete a promissory note`s payment schedule to fit your needs. You set out the terms of the loan in a secured promissory note form: how much is loaned, the interest rate, the rate of repayment and the security interest.

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Source by Nicholas Lee Fagan

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Common problems with the Northstar Engine usually relate to dealing with stripped head bolts. For example, if you own a Cadillac STS engine Deville 97 with a 32 valve 4.6L Northstar Engine with a blown engine, chances are good that by simply doing a pressure test and a spark plug test, you will discover that the head gasket has blown. After identifying what bank it is on, you have to work on getting it replaced. Simply fixing the gasket itself is not a realistic option because of the cracks. Unfortunately, repair, which is a replacement job, is neither cheap nor easy. It is nearly impossible to do it on your own with a simple set of hand tools, nor can you get your local mechanic to do it unless he or she has plenty of experience with this particular problem.

In retrospect, the problem of stripped head bolts emerged after 1996 and gradually disappeared after 1999. Although most automotive experts contend that by 2000 the problem was behind GM, some critics argue that it took GM another 10 years to fully resolve the problem.

What happened in 1997, 1998, and 1999 models is due to poor decision making on the part of GM. The run of GM problems with Northstar Engines began when they moved away from a green silica based coolant and moved to another coolant called Dex cool. This coolant simply could not do the job. The Northstar Engine problems are similar to the problems associated with the Quad 4. In both cases, the head bolts had a fine thread that easily stripped once the engine reached a certain level of inability to effectively dissipate heat. What stripped the head bolts was the chemical reaction between the steel bolts and the aluminum block. Basically, aluminum was too soft. Thus, it is not really due to defective bolts or to defective blocks, but the reaction of one to the other, specifically the reaction between steel bolts with aluminum blocks. Unless the coolant was perfectly maintained, the threads dissolved when the heat became too intense, resulting in the engine blowing up. Once GM reduced the block hardening process that they had previously used, the block and the bolts began to go to wrack and ruin, a chemical reaction similar to applying a flame to a block of cheese. Usually, this problem became typical when the Northstar Engine was closing in on the 100,000 mark. At this point, the Northstar Engine could not stay cool enough to prevent the threads from dissolving.

Resolving the problem was not simple. The entire engine had to be pulled, then drilled, then retapped, and then finally have timeserts installed. This not only took about 40 hours or more, but it cost car owners from $3,000 to $5,000. Moreover, unless the work was expertly done, results were often less than satisfactory. Considering that the models from 1997 to 1999 have a value of $6,000, the repairs came close to the cost of the entire car itself.

A better solution to fixing the Northstar Engine or buying a new engine is to get a used engine where the bolts have been beefed up. Once the bolts have been replaced with head studs, the Northstar Engine begins to work like a charm.

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Source by lowmileageengines

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Are you planning to have your own car? Bank repossessed vehicles for sale is one of the best options for secondhand cars. At this car auction market, you can have a great chance of getting a car that you desired most. Some repossessed cars here are complete with car features such as tinted windows, low mileage, leather interiors, air bags and others. Aside from various makes and car models, cars here range from oldest to the newest impounded cars. You can immediately bring home your most desired cars because the turn-around here is so fast, unlike in the typical car dealership that requires a lot of documents. However, do not expect to grab one in an instant because cars at local car auctions are sold fast. But with frequent visit, you may find what you are exactly looking for.

If you want to start your repo car hunting, here is how. First and foremost, you need to gather information about car auctions in some local media such as newspapers. Local newspapers provide auctions’ complete listings, including full details about the repossessed vehicles auctions. In additional to newspapers, you can also check out for available directories in your local area where you can use information recourses such as telephone directories. With enough auction information on hand, your next step is to contact or visit personally the responsible authorities for particular sale. As soon as you get in touch with the auction organizers, it is the time to make inspection arrangements.

Consider the inspection stage as the most crucial part in buying repossessed car. This stage is considered as the decision-making stage. It is better if you already have a picturesque of your dream car so that you already have an idea on what particular car you want to buy. It will be easy for you to find a car if your preference for a car is flexible. Also, car auction markets offer repossessed cars at still perfect condition. Aside from that, repossessed cars are sold at almost giveaway price, unlike in the mainstream car markets. The only secret to finding the car of your choice is to patronize some repossessed vehicle auctions. The more frequent of visit to these markets, the more change of getting your desired car. True to the fact that bank repossessed vehicles for sale become the most visited car markets today because of the many advantages it provide.

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Source by Laura Tran

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A salvage yard is a location that is used as a storage place for vehicles that are not drivable due to age or other circumstances. These idle vehicles may be utilized for scrap metal or for their parts that may be sold by the salvage yard operators if they are still in fair condition. Many auto recycling plants in present times do not perform as they did in the past, instead they are now much more organized and may even have convenient showrooms so that customers may view all the available parts. Some salvage yards also implement the use of sophisticated technology which includes the use of a special coding system. Unique codes are placed on all automobiles and then entered in a computer database. This allows salvage yards that use this technology in a state like Kentucky to connect via a network with other salvage yards across the country.

There are several salvage yards that practice the resourceful recycling of parts. However before this can be undertaken there are special licensing requirements that are mandatory before the parts can be sold for profit. This licensing practice is not restricted to Kentucky but is also a must in other states throughout the nation. Licensing aims to ensure that set standards and codes of conduct that govern the storage and resale of parts are conformed to within the industry. To locate salvage yards in Kentucky you may use the online community which has multiple listings of salvage yards in the state. You may also use a local state directory.

Once you are in the market for parts it is prudent to shop around exhaustively. You may need to contact many salvage yards to get the best prices. However if you are the owner of an autmobile that is not widely driven in the United States then you may experience some minor problems searching for the associated parts. Most people who have used salvage yards have discovered that the prices are fairly affordable and worth the additional effort.

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Source by Sachin K Airan

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What parts make up a skateboard?

The invention of the skateboard is a bit of a mystery as it has never been confirmed who invented it and how it came about. There are a few theories of its origin; one being they were first created in to the 1930’s when children would play on soapboxes placed on wooden planks on top of roller skates. This gave the general basis idea of the skateboard and was then made into a product, a product that went on to be sold massively internationally.

There are four main parts that make up a skateboard, these include: the deck, the wheels, the bearings, and the trucks.

The Deck of a Skateboard – the deck is the long board that you stand on. The deck lies on top of the wheels and everything else that is underneath it. You place one foot on the deck and push yourself along with the other foot on the floor. Decks are usually made from fiberglass, wood, aluminium, or plastic. There is a tail at the end of the board which allows the skater to steer and stop the skateboard and generally have more control. 

Skateboard Wheels – the wheels are quite an important part to a skateboard as if it weren’t for these the skateboard wouldn’t be able to move. There are 4 wheels, 2 on either side, one set at the front and the second set towards the bottom. They are usually made from polyurethane, and they come in all sorts of different sizes and each size is better suited to a type of boarding. For example smaller wheels are better for doing tricks and so many modern street skaters use these. These wheels are harder than other wheels as they break away from the ground faster allowing the skateboarder to carry off the tricks easier.

Skateboard Bearings – skateboard bearings are placed on either side of each wheel and they allow for the wheel to rotate freely without any friction which makes the skateboard go fast and the boarder can control the board more freely. The bearings of a skateboard are very important as they govern how the board is going to move, how fast it can go, and how easily you are going to be able to control your movements on the board. If your bearings aren’t lubricated enough or they are not fitted properly or they have dirt inside of them then the wheels aren’t going to able to move smoothly and this will affect the skater’s performance. The bearings on a skateboard are very important and professional skaters spend a lot of money on the bearings to their skateboard for ultimate control and speed.

The Truck – there are two trucks to every skateboard, these attach the wheels to the deck. They are usually made out of aluminium alloy and are made up of two parts the base plate and the hanger. The trucks are sturdy pieces so the wheels are firmly in place and the deck feels secure for the boarder, the bearings allow the wheels to move freely but it is important that the trucks are secure in position and bolted down. 

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Source by Anna String

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Beginning to search for a tractor for sale that will give you trouble free service is not an easy thing to do. As a hobby collecting and reconditioning vintage tractors has become very important and popular over the last few years. These are many reasons for this; firstly they are relatively cheap to buy, and maintain and sometimes they cost less than the tax on a new agriculture tractor Also, even though these are antique or vintage tractors it doesn’t mean that they can’t still contribute to daily life on a farm. One of the great things these tractors is their simplicity. Each tractor has its own history and can be restored to become a major source of pride and enjoyment to whoever has taken the time and effort to restore it. But, how do you identify and choose the right tractor for you and make sure that it is a good investment?
Once you begin your search you will see that the makes and models and options are infinite and that you will have no problems finding a machine to suit your needs and your budget. As with other collectable items, you should first understand your needs as this will drive what and how you start your search. Take some time to understand your needs then you will have to translate them into a list of requirements that will give you a clear picture of what you are looking for.
It goes without saying that what you want the tractor to do will determine what type of tractor you choose. Collectors will tell you that some of the most collectable tractors do not make very good work tractors because of their age or maintenance requirements and on the flip-side careful restoration of an very common machine could not be worth the many hours (not to mention the cost of that perfect original paint mix).
The first thing you should do is detailed research when thinking about investing in an antique tractor. Research books are available that hold this information giving you every detail you need to know about a particular tractor model.
Collectability, hours on the clock, PTO, etc make up the main points for choosing what type, size, brand, or model of tractor you want are looking for, a more basic set of factors must be used for determining the exact tractor you will invest in. As mentioned earlier, reconditioning an antique collectable tractor will have a completely different checklist.
Those that need a machine for working their farm are in a better position to get what they need quickly but it is amazing how many people buy the wrong type of tractor and become disillusioned with old machines. The first thing you should look at is the layout of your farm, also how hilly is it and what type of farm machinery will you be using. If you plan on using the tractor for tillage, such as barley or corn, then you should consider a Nuffield M4, a Nuffield universal because other machines may be too low to the ground and cause damage to your crop. As an alternative if , you may need to consider something like a Massey-Harris 20 or a Massey Ferguson 135 . If you want to use farm machinery with your antique tractor, you should look at the horsepower requirements of this implement and make sure the tractor you decide on has the weight and the correct horsepower to successfully complete the job. If you see the need for a 12 foot disk harrow, then you will need more power than a Fordson Power Major Thorough basic research will ensure that you don’t make these basic mistakes. Getting this part wrong may result in having to start to search again for speedex tractors for sale from the beginning again.Don’t get carried away with the physical appearance of the machine because the mechanical operation of the engine gearbox and PTO should be clear you focus your full attention. Many good day to day tractors haven’t seen paint in years and will have been repaired and maintained with a range of strange materials. Getting this part wrong may result in having to start to search again for david brown tractors for sale from the beginning again.

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Source by Paul Murray