[AT] Old vs. New (about TRACTORS!)

[Greg Hass]

This is about something that has been discussed recently....mice and old 
tractors.  It also can relate to new tractors, as we found out at a party 
we attended tonight.

Our neighbor a mile away has a 1 or 2-yr. old Case/IH tractor around 200 
hp, or better.  He had parked it, and when he went to use it 3 weeks later 
it would not start.  The computer screen in the cab (Yes, it's all 
computerized.) said, "Engine disconnected."  A mechanic from a dealership 
50 miles away happened to be visiting a neighbor.  He came down and hooked 
his computer up, but could not find why the tractor would not start.  He 
said he would come back later, but he never did.  At this point, the 
neighbor called our local dealer, who sent a man out.  By now their 
computer would not take a reading, nor could they get the tractor started, 
so they said it would have to be hauled into the shop.  After it was in the 
shop, they said there are 3 computers located behind the seat and a huge 
cable going from there to the front of the tractor.  The neighbor did not 
know how many wires were in the cable, but they told him mice had gotten 
into the cable and chewed off 12 of the wires.  Cost of a new 
cable?  $1000.   Time to install: 40 hours.
Reason for time:  Many wires plus the inside of the cab needed to be torn 
out to get at them all.  The neighbor said (because the wires were all 
color coded) just solder them back together.  Dealer said he could get 
moisture in the cable.  Neighbor said he'd take his chances.   Tractor is 
running for now.

  I'll stick with my 35-yr. old plus tractors.  Still have mice, but there 
are fewer and less expensive wires to chew on.

Greg Hass
Michigan