Does Anyone Still Look After Their Equipment?

It wasn’t there the other day. Must have just got it in. I was interested in the 9680 with 6400 hours. A friend was telling me to watch out for the gear loosening in the transmission on those models. Would that be a concern on a smaller hp tractor like the 9680?

If that tractor looks as good as the photos , looked pretty clean I would just get the oil changed and check for filings in the transmission. If clean than I would say that is a really good unit. One thing I appreciate about those versatiles is how much less repairs goes into them yearly compared to the newer tract tractors or wheel tractors. I still use my 1990 946 for ditching, tillage and pull a sprayer with it and that tractor is so dependable with 13200 hrs. One thing with the versatiles is I would drain the fuild in the tires and put weight on the frame instead. They are a lighter tractor than a steiger. That is far better for the planetaries and your rims.

Its interesting, that style of versatile tractor is still in production in Russia.

The tractor with the fluid will hook up and pull way better also.

Yea them original cast axle tubes were a weak point. I don't know if Versy ever went to a steel one with the newer models or not. I know its something I pay attention too, as especially on hard ground my 875 duck walks like a SOB if it starts to spin. Thats the real killer, is that jack hammer effect that results.
I remember when dad was looking into the old Kirovets (Belarus 7010) in the mid 70s. We was at the tractor pulls at the Camrose fair. For some reason the Belarus didn't take part but Alberta Machinery the Allis dealer had one there. During the pulls was someone with a Versy, would have been a bigger one that spun out during the pull. I remember seeing the tractor bouncing like crazy then there was two loud clunks and I head the old man say holy shit! It was then I realized something just didn't look right. Right front and rear left tubes had both broke. Can only imagine how much that guy must have been kicking himself in the ass. Forget exactly how they drug it off the track, was behind an 8630 is all I remember.
Was that same pull that Ponoka area rig of two Deere 830s hooked together took part. He didn't compete but was more for show. Did good till the end, he spun out and for some reason the clutch didn't release on the front tractor, I remember someone from the sidelines running in and climbing up to do it by hand. Last I saw that tractor it was parked somewhere in Ponoka on display. That be several years now too.

Just something I'll mention is if one looks up the Nebraska test for a specific tractor, they will show how the tractor was weighted by the manufacturer per axle or even wheel. You know damm well they did their homework and sent it there set up as best as possible for the test. And part of that test Nebraska actually removes the ballast to measure it.
Thats how I was going to ballast the 875. I forget the numbers, think it works out the front insides are like half full and the rears almost full, (remember full is only a couple inches above the rim). Currently nothing up front and the rears are about half. Its light on its feet but actually for some of the work I've done with it slip hasn't been a huge issue. Only time it really is noticeable is with the 28 foot Wilbeck disc, that sucker is heavy and cuts so takes some ponies and gription to make it keep moving. The other benefit to wheel slip is while it does wear tires, it saves stress on driveline components.
My advice is never ballast with the intention of getting peak power constantly. You will end up paying for that dearly.
Also want to avoid one that has been used that way too.

Wow, how does one go about rolling a combine on fairly level ground?