So I want an older Fastrac - Am I mad?

[The Seeker]

So I've been toying with he idea of selling some non agriculture related bits and bobs in order to fund a Fastrac, something early 2000's around 120-150hp with or without 4ws its not do on any particular job but just to have handy around the farm some towing and light pto work. The horror stories seem endless particularly with the electrics tho there's a nice chap on youtube singing the virtues of fastracs. Are they money pits or are they handy machines? im guessing both 1135's 2135's any opinions ?

 

[Bob lincs]

I’m thinking the same , I have a couple of JD 2140s that I quite fancy getting rid of and buying a 2135 fastrack . I think one would be ok for abit of mowing and running around jobs .

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Nuttier than squirrel turd

 

[The Seeker]

Any stories re why not?

 

[Robt]

Go the whole hog and buy a decent 155 turbo

 

[tepapa]

I'd get a 2000 series. Just make sure it's a smooth shift with wet clutch not auto shift.

 

[Bob lincs]

Nuttier than squirrel turd

Why ??

 

[Two Tone]

Most reliable tractors we’ve ever had. Even had the accountant ring up and ask why we sold our 2135 as it cost nothing in repairs other that a diesel lift pump in 5 years.

There is nothing any other tractor can do that a Fastrac can’t

I’d go for a 2000 series over a 1000 as the clutch is so much better.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Why ??

Every person I know has got shot...they were constantly breaking down

 

[Chae1]

We've a 1997 1135, its a bit of a luxury only done 7000 hours. When 2170 goes onto a trailer at harvest i put the rowcrops on 1135 and it does glyphosate spray, backend it goes on flotations for pre emerge and first sprays in springtime.

Doesn't really give any bother. Only got offered 10k as trade in. If anyone would like to offer me significantly more i may be persuaded to part with it. Only 3 former owners including myself and @dirty harry.

 

[Fendtbro]

We ran a 2140 from 500 to 8000 hours on dump trailer work, gave very little bother and was chipped to about 160hp. The wee thing literally moved mountains but was well serviced. The only real problems involved the clutch wire broke inside the loom and was hard to find, but it did almost torch itself when the main feeds rubbed and shorted just above the battery. Caught just in time and fuses were fitted for safety. The only trouble in operation was that the clutch bite point moved about a bit, made it a bit jerky sometimes.

 

[OGB]

Why ??

...all the nuts they eat

...seriously though...
check over potential machine thoroughly. At that age majority are high hour, poorly maintained machines requiring a lot of work..(know of 2 1135's) also clutch issues in the early ones, along with shuttle problems! Usual checks as standard... uj's, steering, leaks, smoke etc. etc. will give an opinion of use

not knocking them though, still a decent tractor for trailer work... and they're bound to become sought after for collectors in time

 

[Flat 10]

Nice looking 2140 in farm sale at Petworth by South East Marts Saturday. Genuine retirement sale. Or go proper retro and get an MB trac from the same place.........

 

[charlie850]

We have a 155-65 &3185 & 2140 and have been ok to be fair ,have had the occasional problem but what machine doesn’t?? And have been a lot more reliable then the MFs and MB Tracs they replaced
Try look for a 2140 nice compact tractor with a Cummins engine and a lot quieter cab then a 1135

 

[snarling bee]

A friend of mine has got a 13500 hr 2135 he uses. Been good apart from new engine.
They are as reliable as anything else, better than some.

 

[Two Tone]

Today, I ploughed 2 fields with my Fastrack 2155, totalling 30 acres, then took the plough off and put the sprayer on and sprayed 25 acres of OSR against the dreaded CSFB

 

[startinghandle]

I’m thinking the same , I have a couple of JD 2140s that I quite fancy getting rid of and buying a 2135 fastrack . I think one would be ok for abit of mowing and running around jobs .

What condition are your 2140's ?
I assume huge hours on clock!!!

 

[7740 man]

Today, I ploughed 2 fields with my Fastrack 2155, totalling 30 acres, then took the plough off and put the sprayer on and sprayed 25 acres of OSR against the dreaded CSFB

That’s an exceptionally good bit of ploughing you are doing there @Two Tone

 

[Two Tone]

That’s an exceptionally good bit of ploughing you are doing there @Two Tone

Thank you.
Conditions are good this year and it is mostly ploughing like a garden.
Normally, we plough using a NH 7050. I’ve used the Fastrac before for ploughing occasionally and this year decided to use it for all the ploughing.
It is comfortable and pulls every bit as well as the NH.
I have to use the NH on the combi- drill, because it needs to get a speed sensor from the tractor, which the Fastrac doesn’t have and it would struggle to lift the drill anyway.
But apart from that, there is nothing the Fastrac cannot do, that any other tractor can.
As the NH was on the drill, I thought I’d use the Fastrac on the plough, and reminded myself that it does so as well, if not better the the NH.

 

[7740 man]

I’ve driven a 2135 and thought the comfort was in a different league to most other tractors I’ve driven. I liked the cab too lots of room