ZETOR.. A CULT STATUS TRACTOR IF EVER THERE WAS ONE!

[@eamondempsey3018]

Great video Alan. Totally agreed with your opening comments that they got a lot of farmers and contractors going. They were way ahead of their time. Air sear, air compressor, factory fitted flat floor cab, factory 4wd, solid wheel rims, heater and front and back wiper to mention a few. They were usually worked hard and neglected because they were cheap but they stood up to it well and theres still a llot of crystals working nearly 50 years later.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks, Eamon.. yes,absolutely. There are a lot still putting in a decent shift, zero finance farming at its best 👌

[@78mikehayes]

Eamon you have a nice tidy example. Did you get her back together with her new clutch yet?

[@jefftheaussie2225]

Zetors never reached cult status here or anything like it. Too many people probably compared them to Belarus which is a machine that never should have been let out of Russia, in my opinion. The first Perkins Direct Injection motor to go into a Chamberlain 9G was in tractor #1964 which was built in 1959. It was the 4/270D which also had the DPA pump. It replaced the Perkins L4 and about the only difference between the two was the head. They both had wet sleeves which Perkins, as far as I know, never used in anything else. Jeff.

[@Sjanzo]

​@@jefftheaussie2225Zetor introduced its first direct injection Zetor 30 at the Prague fair in 1949, though the newly established Communist government prohibited them to start serial production, because collectivisation required bigger tractors, so the Super became Zetors first serial produced direct injected diesel in 1954

[@alfredgilpin8251]

Had 8011 great machines so many good features heating at your feet two speed pto easy to service only down side slow on the road

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, they were made for the field, weren't they? Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinkeenan9075]

Outstanding history lesson on Zetor, proud owner of 3 Zetors👍🏻

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are putting them to good use 👍

[@kevinmic6740]

The crystal was an impressive tractor for its time, i first saw it advertised on the farmers journal around 1975, a lot of local contractor and big farmers bought them, i can remember changing a clutch on a 12045 with another lad early in the morning in the middle of the silage campaign and we were all done and back under the harvester shoot in 3 1/2 hours.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

That's great going Kevin. You did what you had to to keep the wheels turning. I remember ploughing with a JD 4040s back in the 90's. The head gasket went on it. We parked it on the headland, went for lunch to let it cool, and had it changed and back running in two hours. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kjmack1000]

zetor crystal punched way above its weight great machine back in the day

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They sure did. Thanks 👍

[@KKev]

7245 is a tractor that we have had for over 30 years never serviced and neglected that was untill i took my time and did some service and repairs still going strong today.

[@paulodonovan1424]

great video thanks I've a 6911 and a 4718 here and spent my youth on 12011s and a 14145 all great tractors well ahead of their time

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@@paulodonovan1424 They sure were. Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnprendergast3173]

My father bought the zetor 2511 in 72, south Mayo. I still use it today, 2 cylinder and when she warmed up, she would pull anything. Bought a 74 8011 crystal last year, drove one for years in the late 80's as a young kid. Just a super tractor and she also works on the farm with the intention of doing up both eventually... big fan of Zetor and some wonderful memories!!

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Excellent. Thanks John. I know a lot of people around South Mayo, Claremorris area. And a few Prendergast too 😊

[@johnprendergast3173]

Hey Alan, thats where we are actually @@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@johnprendergast3173 Oh, very good. Are you related to Blain Prendergast by any chance?

[@johnprendergast3173]

No Alan, another prendergast Clan. But knowing Claremorris there is bound to be some connection

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@johnprendergast3173 Ah, very good. My wife is a Claremorris girl, so I spend a lot of time up there. Thanks for watching 👍

[@trevorbrookes5056]

great informative video , drove first Zetor aprox 40 years ago , have 8 now

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

That's mighty. Thanks for watching 👍

[@1ADP]

Great video thank you. Our 8011 ended up being sold to Ireland at a few years old it had injection pump keyway problem so traded in for a 188,I remember putting many hours on it planted a lot of spuds with a rotaplanter had a secondhand 4011 for around the yard she was sold on and went back Czechoslovakia that was a loverly little tractor.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks 👍

[@Sherpa-x6u]

Greetings from Wexford- loved your video, interesting info about the diesel aero engine. Nick Gore in Duncormac sold a fair amount of these tractors especially to the beet growers in South Wexford also the Grass men liked them, I liked the crystal range especially because they were easy to service, starter motor- injector pump- filters etc. I went to the Zetor factory in Brno a few years back, the management would not be over helpful with visitors. I also visited the Mtz factory in Minsk, now man, did I get some reception there- got taken down to the machine shop while all the machines were working, then got taken over to the assembly line then up the canteen for tea and pies. Very pleasant people indeed.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for that information. Very interesting indeed. I'll be doing a video on Belarus in the future, you will be pleased to hear 😀

[@andrewemerson8820]

When in school, we would ask each other what tractor your father had. I was always embarrassed to say we had a Zetor. But it was our first tractor. It always started...

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, I can imagine. They had a very unfair reputation. But as reliable as any other out there 👍

[@georgemailer6347]

Drove two 8011 a 6711 and a 5748 as a schoolboy in the early 70's. 8011 with a Q-cab, suspension, fully glazed 2nd seat, heater, wipers that worked and rear hinged doors for easy access and tractormen with a 5000 "Deluxe" cab turned their noses up at them. A 8011 with a 6 axle turbotiller on spring work. Heaven. The 8011 was replaced with a MF 1200. I was a lucky boy

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks George.. yes, you definitely were!! Check out my MF 1200 video if you haven't already. Thanks for watching 👍

[@MccSAuto3964]

Hi Alan another great video. Brings back memories my Dad a silage contractor had them for 30 years models including 11 series, crystals and Ursus we all learned to drive on them. They were away ahead of there time with features like I PTO single clutch Multi Power hydraulic brakes and as you said the renowned Cab Regards S

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for watching. They sure were ahead of their time 👍

[@patkelly7999]

Mighty stuff Alan, did most of my early driving on a 4911, My late Father ran a 6748 and a 6945 in the bog, and ran a 8045 and a 14145 for My Brother in law in the 90's loved them, brakes could be a weak point, but they would pull for Ireland, will watch part 2 now, Thank You👌👍🙏😎

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Pat.. Yes, brakes were a weak point on them from all accounts. Enjoy part 2 👍

[@thomaswharton9667]

Brilliant video, we had 12011, 12045, 2 8011 ,8045 back in the day at silage

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Thomas. You have a great history with them.

[@bigteddy66]

I had a 7045 a 6911 on a loader then 8045 .8045 8111 (still have it (loader) and a 12145 Duncan cab .only one remaining .8111 ..121 Was replaced by a Fiat F 130 .all good machines .fond memories of the zets.

[@stephenoliver958]

Our first Zetor was a 4011 bought in 1968, it was a very good starter and if you looked after them, very reliable, it had an enclosed cab, hydraulic brakes, indicators and electric window wipers, I’m not saying it was comparable with Fords and Masseys, but it was very cheap to buy and maintain, we had a 6718, 7011 and then a 10111 which was a 8011 turbocharged with a Duncan cab, it was a game changer on our farm, we went from a 12 inch conventional four furrow plough to a 14 inch four furrow reversible and 3 1/2 meter power harrow, we went on to buy a 7245 with a loader, we did run other makes alongside our Zetors and ended up running a Int. 956xl alongside the 10111 and the Zetor could out pull the 56, plus the Zetor had a torque amp as standard which in those days was brilliant, good memories of the Zetors and my brother still runs them.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Wow, that's for all that information Stephen. You have a great history with the mighty Zetor. Thanks for watching 👍

[@johncooney9332]

We had a 2011 in The early 70s. It was a two cylinder which was painted grey having been used on a golf course near Cork. I still remember the reg. NZT 702

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They were a beautiful little tractor, the colour really stood out on them. 👍

[@roberthamilton1801]

Have a 3011 that my grandad brought years ago and sat in the shed for many years that I fixed up when I was 14, Used to have a 3045 too but unfortunately that's gone. Have recently got hold of an original 7245 that has worked on the neighbours farm for years and I saw growing up, both tractors I hold dear and rate well!

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

That's super, Robert. Having machines with a history and sentimental value is special. I am currently restoring my deceased granduncles old MF 165. I'll have until I'm gone. 👍

[@dellhell8842]

My late father had a used 6718 in 1980 for one season. He ran it alongside Fords and Masseys. It was a pleasure to drive when compared to the Fords/Fergies but it couldn't handle the abuse like them. Wiring was a bit of a nightmare on the 6718, I was always replacing fuses but could never find what was shorting out. There would be four pools under the 6718 in the morning - coolant, engine oil, power steering oil and transmission oil.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

🤣🤣 Thanks for watching 👍

[@stuartrobertson4714]

Ford in disguise was it

[@kenjohnston1996]

Great video Alan had a 8045 back in the 80s cut our own silage also had Fort round baler Great tractor loved in bought second hand of Clarke machinery cavan. Move on to 2023 i bought a 8011 for vintage love it thanks again for your history on zetor

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Great stuff, Ken. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinjones9196]

Thank you so much for such a good talk about zetor tractors and there history, I enjoyed every minute of the video. These tractors were plastered around Carmarthenshire west Wales and buith wells , thanks to having two main dealers. I also would like say that the 4 wheel drive zetors were the best on the steep slopes here in west Wales, they were a very well balanced and good gripping tractors.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks so much Kevin. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The 4 wheel drives sure were a great machine to pull. Potato farmers over here in Co Meath loved them in the 80's. Thanks for watching 👍

[@martinbarnicle3667]

Great photos there were a lot of zetors sold in mayo during the late 70s and 80s a few dealers in Mayo

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Martin.. I wonder are there many still around Mayo?

[@martinbarnicle3667]

@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery there are a few of the 70 HP ones

[@78mikehayes]

The Crystal was a popular tractor around our way. Big cab, big horsepower. There’s an absolute beauty down in Tipperary restored by Mark Tynan. It’s been in classic tractor and a few more magazines. 12011

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Mike. I'll be sure to look it up 👍

[@eamondempsey3018]

I think that could be Mark's Crystal shown @ 1:25 pulling the double chop??

[@78mikehayes]

@@eamondempsey3018I’d say you’re right Eamon but I just don’t want to give you credit for spotting it.

[@seantormey3531]

Nice video. I still have a 1976 8011 which is still going strong.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Great stuff, Sean. Look after it, and it will serve you well. Thanks 👍

[@patodwyer721]

Nice one Alan, great video Very interesting and informative

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Pat 😊

[@davidbrennan3613]

Another top class video. My first time drawing silage was in 1988 with a zetor 8011 two wheel drive and a 14ft wooden Dooley trailer

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks David 👍

[@littlelifters7543]

I remember farmers getting 4wd conversion’s done to their zetors in the South Island of New Zealand. The Nz dairy board was dealing in tractors for dairy products so farmers could get a good deal.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. What system were they retro fitting do you know?

[@pierceol966]

Thanks Alan for the informative video on the Zetor,i remember the old crystals well,a huge machine of their time,i have a 10541 proxima plus 2007 a very reliable tractor,great engine and loves to pull,never found wanting,we also had a Universal 445 back in the mid 70s i think they may have been manufactured in the same part of the world as the Zetor but not sure

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for watching Pierce. These old Zetors really are getting a lot of love 😁

[@patrickkickham3393]

Great video and thanks for the hard work!!

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for watching Patrick 👍

[@josephfergus9090]

Nearly every farm west of Westport had a Zetor tractor of some sort and an Opel Kadett in the seventies,Supplied by Gannon's Garage Belclare.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

That's very true.. 🤣

[@ianward5264]

Very good tractors my dad had two 8011 one had a zetor power loader, 8045, 6911 over the years.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Very good. Thanks Ian 👍

[@MOTA_KRAMPUS]

UR reminds me of the idea of Entwicklung series of German tanks in WWII. Great video!

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@FlyingFergyMan]

Super Video Alan. There was not that many around our part of the country, mainly reds and blues here at that time. Local farmer had one that he stuck on the harvester when new and blew the engine before it was properly run in, they got an unfair reputation for being soft here but I think they were just the opposite.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They would have been hard sold up around your country at the time Cathal. Thanks for watching 👍

[@carolan_agriculture3376]

Just outside navan myself we have a 1998 Zetor 7341 super turbo the ram and hydraulics are the strongest I have ever seen moving tons of sand for a horse gallop weapon of a tractor

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Very good, they are a super little machine. What side of Navan are you? I'm kilberry.. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Gearoid35]

Good video Alan, there was a good few around west cork, there was a dealer in innishannon, thanks for the info.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Gearoid 👍

[@michaelmcnamara7971]

They were so far ahead of their time. We're actually imported with air brake set up for the trailer which was promptly removed as no trailers had any brakes. That then lead to a problem as the dry brakes on the tractor were hard to keep right (because they were not designed for large trailers without brakes). Also due to lake of braking power they had a habit of running to fast down hills and dropping valves in the hands of inexperienced drivers. My father had 2 ursus 1012's with straight pipes off the turbo. The turbo whistle was so loud you could hear them coming for miles.😅😅. I learnt to drive on a 12011 crystal. Fantastic tractor. It mowed an awful lot of silage with a jd1360 mower and a SAME Hercules 160 coming up behind with another 1360 and belt swarther.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for that, Michael. Yes, the dry brakes were a let on them, but as you said, they were designed to work in conjunction with the trailer brakes. Thanks for watching 👍

[@JimmyShields-z2h]

If only Zetor had dealerships like big 4, i reckon could have seen more of these tractors. For my first dairy farm i work on as apprentice, my boss had two but can't remember numbers. One was about 50hp hook up to pump n other was 3 cylinder? with ROPS cab, perspex front screen so in winter you would get wet n cold. This 70hp was awesome as could pick up two bales with FEL n pull hay feeder cart with 2 hay aboard. Definitely have soft spot for Zetor, easy servicing n operating. Boss use to live in East Germany n he work Zetor spare parts factory before moving to Australia. Side note i was at New Holland dealership after visiting family n happen seen JD tractor in yard n ask salesman, that's a rebadge Zetor! to his surprise n said you know your tractors which then got discount on my purchase. Those rebadge Zetors in JD colours are well sort after n respected.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. I'll have more on the JD link to Zetor in the next video. 👍

[@austinfanning8641]

We had a ZETOR six cylinder four wheel drive and a an URSUS six cylinder 4wd duplicate with the compressor as standard and an air suspended seat, the engine was always easy to start, we bought the URSUS through Smith's of Arklow,who were also selling Renault cars at the time, our neighbour bought three or four of the URSUS four cylinder 4WD versions for his lime spreading contracting business in Avoca, and was quite successful with them, eventually, after moving out of the 1980s changed over to John Deere, but these tractors got loads going in the 70s,

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Austin. Yes, Smiths here in Navan were also Renault dealers. Same family. 👍

[@brendanmckenna1983]

We had an URSUS TROJAN out of Smiths of navan .Grate tractor. Buddy Simpson was the man to go to for knowledge on them when there was a problem .You should do a video on the connection with URSUS and ZETOR ​@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@brendanmckenna1983 Thanks, Yes, I've been studying Ursus. They have a serious history going back to the 1800s. I'll have a video on them after the 2nd part to the Zetor series. 👍

[@brendanmckenna1983]

@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery Con Smith who started the The Smith Group born in my local town of Mullagh Co. Cavan.

[@ballyhoulihanagrivideos397]

Nice comprehensive history of the brand. We had 2 at one stage. A some point we had to do some work on the hydraulics of an 8111.There was an Ursus stamping on the lift cover. Some thought at time that Zetor build the engines and Ursus the back end. what you think ?

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, Ursus made a lot of transmission parts, and there was a lot of cross-over between them. Thanks for watching 👍

[@asimpkin1]

Learned to drive on a 3511 in the 70s in Lancashire it was built like a tank.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They sure were 😊

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Nice video 📹 👍

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks 👍

[@eamonmcgrath6798]

my uncle has 2 zetor Crystal 8011. one is a 1978. Great tractor

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Very good.. I hope he's putting them to good use 👍

[@eamonmcgrath6798]

@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery one is running, and the other one is getting a full engine rebuild.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@@eamonmcgrath6798 Excellent

[@eamonmcgrath6798]

@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery from what I know from my uncle and dad when they used to cut silage back in late 70s and 80s. the 1978 zetor crystal was pulling a drum mower and also a new holland square baler

[@diarmuidlangan3323]

before the forterra came out around 01-02 there was another zetor 40 series which started at 7540-7520-10540 the difference was that the forterras had an air splitter but the 40 series hadnt they also had a different style roof and nose cone

[@jimmy75256]

1st tractor I drove was a Zetor, dream tractor is Zetor 16145

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

16145 making big money these days. Thanks for watching 👍

[@patrickmoran3359]

Great video mate i am new to the channel.We have a 7745t with the crew cab😉 also have a modern 7441 lovely little tool. Id love if ya could do a vid on belarus tractors

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks, Patrick, and welcome to the channel. Yes, Belarus is high on the list. Thanks for watching 👍

[@niallwalsh2592]

great stuff

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks 👍

[@nialldaly7108]

Back in the 80's we had both a Zetor 3511 and an URSUS C-355 which was a rebranded Zetor 5711. The URSUS had a cab, not sure the make but have seen them on other similar URSUS. It was somewhere between Red and Purple in colour. Both lasted many years. My brother is now farming with a 8011 and an MF4260 with Rossemore power loader. Both are 1 tip of the key/button . The 8011 is 1979 and the 4260 is 1999. Zetor 8011 is an excellent realiable tractor and for a big tractor does not mark the ground.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Niall.. Great to see them still being used and reliable 👍

[@ianmckay1780]

I used to work on Zetor's in the mid 80's. They were beasts. They had so many standard equipment features that it took twice as long to strip down to remove the heavy hab it was a nightmare. The standard of engineering was at times questionable (Electrics) you would find all cables were black and you had no idea where they went 'til you traced the individual wires ti where you thought the problem was. Mechanically they were solidly built, the engines were good and the gearboxes were rugged and again a nightmare to dismantle, as they were solid casting from front to rear axles, so you had to break at clutch to get to rear pto drive.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for that, Ian. I've done very little work on them mechanically. It's good to have some inside information. 👍

[@michealbradley8510]

No your wrong just remove the floor not the cab ok

[@darrencarr9176]

Harry Horn in Lancashire sold loads of Zetors

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@jmck2009]

Good video. Will you do one on Belarus tractors in Ireland

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. Yes, Belarus is on my list 👍

[@jamesbrussels5776]

They are common in new Zealand too.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks James 👍

[@TadhgFox]

We had 2 zetor s 12011 they had a brilliant 6cyl engine still in use today the only issue with them was brake design and power steering they are a better tractor today than paying out 25 k plus for a modern tractor today

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

And you wouldn't get much for 25k either. Thanks for watching 👍

[@seamuscusack7937]

Great video on the zetors drove a 4718 7211 7745 turbo and owned a 7245 great tractors if you could only keep brakes on them

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. Yes the brake issue seems to one that gets the most attention. 👍

[@tonyowens628]

I took the brake master cylinder and pipes off mine put rods from under the peddles.to the brakes at the backit made it manual.it works.this is the ursus385 and crystal 8011.

[@m0ogy]

Thanks for another great video Alan. I guess my English built "World Series" IH guess was wrong, I do hope you do a video on these . In North Lincolnshire in the 1970's as a Kid my Dad's farm he was on had a fleet of new ones of these , mainly I guess as Platts was a great Dealership and the brand was built 30 miles away in Doncaster. around here it was IH,MF the odd Ford and David Browns, Dear Johns 🤣where very rare. I always loved the look of the Zetors and SAME tractors, as you said the Owners of MF/IH and Ford thought they were a peasant machine, it's mad how time changes minds, as the Crystal was way ahead of it's time and one I would love to own. Cheers Dave 🙂

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Dave. IH is high up on my list you will be glad to hear. The David Brown video was my most popular by far, so IH and Case will be follow ups to it. Thanks as ever for watching 👍

[@m0ogy]

That's superb news, I had many an hour in the duncan cab of a German built IH 523, sat on a hessian sack on the battery, then 444/674 and the Perkins powered 475, that was worlds ahead in cab design .I do own a Massy Ferguson myself .I've seen all your videos and DB were great. @@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@m0ogy I had many a happy hour on IH myself back in the 90's 👍

[@m0ogy]

Good to know@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery

[@georgedraper992]

Savage tractor for their time cabs were grand in the winter but you would melt in them during the summer , the only two things let them down was dry brakes which needed constant pricking with and also a weak clutch ,if you were going to get a lot of work out of them uou bad to be a bit of a mechanic 😂 other than that they got a lot of lads up and going , a bit of a wag that worked with me years ago labeled my pride and joy at the time a 12045 a "chicken coup" on account of the large cab😂😂

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. You would certainly roost a lot of chickens in it 🤣

[@patlydon519]

Theres a bit before the fronterra involving jd ,1990 to 1996, motorkov distributed them

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yep, I'll get to them in the next video. The connection to JD was an interesting one.

[@mrstr8pipes]

Dont forget to tell us about ZTS.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

ZTS will be featured more in the next video 👍

[@noreenmurphy9200]

Morrisseys in abbeyfeale and keanes garage in newmarket co cork sold zetors too we've 2 zetors still working a 10111 9k onthe clock and 6718 from 78 still going strong

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Mighty stuff 👍

[@gerardhennessy3399]

Alan, another great victory. Unfortunately, somewhat like Leylands, Zetors were seen in some quarters as "a poor man's tractor" and attracted unjustified snide remarks. The reality is that Zetors got a lot of contractors and farmers off the ground and were both reliable and value for money.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Absolutely.. They had their place, and most definitely didn't deserve the reputation some quarters tried to place on them. Well done on your guess last week. Be sure to send me your details. 👍

[@philipgalvin1796]

Can you leave the photos up a little longer as you talk about them? Thanks

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Will do. Thanks 👍

[@jamesmcmullon551]

We had zetor since they came to lreland 600pound 3511 traded a fordson dexta still on the road as far as I know to dear now

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks. I'm sure the dexta is still on the go, too 🤣

[@kildare1773]

Seen a original 160 on a trailer in kilkenny recently. It was mint

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They are a scarce machine. Thanks 👍

[@gearsandtears7643]

Brilliant video but either I'm going deaf or your 🎤 is dodgy.. I'm thinking of buying a non runner 4911 any advice? It has the crystal style cab in it too

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks, I've had sound issues, but it's all sorted now with new equipment. Thanks for watching 👍

[@antonyfarming]

Had a a 6718 changed it to a 6011 then to 7211 and then to 7745turbo which we had for 20+years it was awesome but the rust took hold and we changed it in for a nh I do miss the old girl

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Rust was the death nail of a lot of those old Zetors, unfortunately. Thanks for watching 👍

[@niallcamon3701]

The old z symbol for zetor with spirals around the z represented the rifles inside a gun barrel,which they made before tractors

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Interesting fact. Thanks for that 👍

[@BernardFitzgerald-f8b]

zetor were the first to have passenger seat in the zetor crystal tractors

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes..ahead of their time

[@mj-mr5yu]

What citroen was to the auto industry, zetor was to the tractor industry, full of lasting inovation, and yet both marques back in the day were viewed as being unreliable, or complicated, but both offered great comfort in their own respective areaa for the price and as is said of both also, ahead of their time. Im nearly finished doing a 3611, it was one that got in to some kind of rear end accident in its working life. It had one of the bottom brackets that the end of the lift arms hang on ripped off, bringing a big chunk of cast with it. Then it was parked for over 30 years in a shed before i got it, its got very loe hours but still needed a lot of attention mostly cosmetic after sitting around. Ive a new backend put in it along with the brakes, and several other items. Also someone swapped out one of the heads for a dud head with the exhaust valve sunk in it, so it had to have a seat futted to solve that issue. Its not a massivly expensive job to have done either for anyone in the same situation, actually cheaper than a new head. I also owned a little two cylinder but sold it about 20 years ago, have fond memories of that little machine, they were lovely.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for that, good luck with your restoration 👍

[@BernardFitzgerald-f8b]

hi i remember a silage contracter called denis barrett who had a zetor crystal 12011

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, they were very popular with the silage men. Thanks for watching 👍

[@nejcsmole4169]

My family bought Zetor 2511 back in 70s, it was 3 years old back then. My grandfather is still using it for raising cattle, he probably put 14 thousand hours on it, still running good after 50 years. Fuel consumption is next to none compared to modern tractors. We also have models 3545 and 5545. Zetor back then could easily compare to western tractors. Unfortunately in 1948, Czechoslovakia fell under grip of Soviet regime and after late 70s, Zetor only made minimal changes to their models and development was basically at hault. A lot of engineers went over border to Steyr. Other manufacturers were developing wet brakes, high hydraulic output, powershift, hydraulic inverter, hydraulic pto, etc., but Zetor came out with these accessories the late in 90s. Unfortunately today, their tractors are still years behind big names like Fendt, JD, Same, Valtra etc. at some features. But overall older models are very robust and can last you lifetime, if you work carefully.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Great info there. Thanks 👍

[@Patmac74]

Fennesseys in bunratty used to be Claas and Zetor dealers back in the 70s and 80s

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Pat... 👍

[@mikeclark4416]

Is the URSUS ,the same Tractor But different make name ?

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, those models were 👍

[@patbassman8251]

As a child I worked a Farm in Devon that had a 5511 a terrible tractor gutless the Fiat 750 was being serviced , so we had to hook up the Bailer to the Zetor it couldn't handle it so we hooked up the Massey 35 it never missed a beat .

[@niallwalsh2592]

the brakes were a prblem

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, they were. Dry brake system didn't take kindly to a lot of road haulage work.

[@michealbradley8510]

The massey men and ford men and john deere men my thinking is they were jeoulous of zetor how ahead they were from them and thats what happened too in the uk jeoulous of zetor of how good they were for the time and then all other tractor makers copy zetor ideas like air seat air compressor air brakes and cab on rubber mounds well cabs today are on spring shocks i have zetor tractors myself and i am very happy with them if i had lots of money i would buy new zetors tomorrow

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They were way ahead of their time Micheal. 👍

[@alfredgilpin8251]

Forgot to say when I purchased mine was cheaper than a 135 with only a roll bar

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Wow.. That's why they were so popular

[@renault1233]

My father sold a lot of them second hand out of England, said they were the only tractor he could make money on back in the late 80s early 90s when the round baler left a lot of 135s and similar surplus to requirements with men just looking for something to lift a bale. Although we don’t sell any tractors any more we have a very late Usus C -385, an 8011 and a 10111 in the shed. They don’t see a lot of work bar drawing in a few loads of silage during summer or stuck on a power washer or log splitter ect. A Perkins 6354 engine was a common modification done in Ireland for the simple reason of more revs if memory serves me right the Zetor engine revs to 2500 whereas the Perkins revd to 3500. I remember my father lending a 10145 turbo to a neighbour on a tullow double chop as the clutch had gone in their 895 ih and it wasn’t able to fill the back of a 12ft trailer where the 895 could blow it over the back door, but the Zetor seemed more stable on hills, horses for courses as they say..

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks for that information..Yes I've seen a few with perkins modifications done 👍

[@angussutherland7161]

i have 8540 ur3 with quicke loader and take my d4c cat to shows plus ts46 plough to working weekends it will lift the plough no props angus

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Angus. I'll be covering the UR3 models in my next Zetor video 👍

[@philipoconnor2236]

I loved the distinctive "tut tut tut tut" sound of the smaller zetor tractors (not Crystals) as they'd come up the road. Back in the 80s as a young lad. Hear them a mile away. The local contractor had an 8011 on a push off buckrake. You could fit a, small family in them cabs!!!! I'm talking about double chop silage pits made out in the corner of a field (poor west of Ireland farmers here!!)

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, very distinctive Philip. Thanks for watching 👍

[@greggroome2791]

👏👏🙏🙏👍👍🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@laurencecharlton8760]

They were a damn sight better than a David Brown!!3011,5011?,8011!The column change was an acquired taste,put many off!!The 8011 was a superb machine,as you said the cab far surpassed anything UK offered!Top vid,thanks.👍🚜

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Yes, the column shift was novel, and you either loved it or hated it. When u got used to it, it was a lot handier and free up floor space. 👍

[@colmanlong1032]

Wouldn't agree with you there,have 990 and it's still going,the 4511 is long dead but I do like zetors.

[@ronanlucid9588]

Carted silage in 80s with a 8011 ...light years better than masseys and ford...didnt have the low.down grunt of a massey but extremely confortable machine ..the 10011 was a mightly machine to drive a forage harvester...

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Thanks Ronan. 👍

[@tomasdevine7756]

The massey is classy but the zetor is better.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

It's been a long time since I heard that 🤣

[@tomasdevine7756]

@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery Still used in co louth, I was surprised nobody else said it already tbh. The passenger seat was class and I remember them doing wheelies with big loads of silage or anything heavy.

[@tomasdevine7756]

@@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery and you have to say it with a thick North louth accent mandatory.

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

@@tomasdevine7756 Like you were from Aaadee ?🤣

[@michaelmcnamara6067]

Still have a 5545 and a 4712 working everyday on farm...

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

Great stuff. Thanks for watching 👍

[@bogard36]

Had an Ursus 914, Horrible tractor. Plenty of problems.

[@continneyable]

only thing didnt break was the brakes lol god they are such a horrible thing , i reserve the right to say this as had two at a time , alot of rose tinted spectacles being worn

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

I'm not so sure about that. You just have to look down through the comments of all the people who have had them and still have them working away. Perhaps you just got unlucky 🙃 Thanks for watching 👍

[@johnmccasthy6153]

Fond memories of spending a number of summers driving an 8011

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

You and thousands like you John. Thanks for watching 👍

[@jamesmccabe1702]

Carrolls in Ardee were Zetor dealers

[@AgrimotiveFarmMachinery]

They were indeed. Thanks James 👍