re: Solis Tractor

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Supposedly off the shelf where? And where will they be on the shelf in 15 years? A well taken care of tractor should last the rest of an adult’s life.

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Anywhere. The thing is that there is very little on any mechanical device that is proprietary...out side of software if there is a will there is a way. It is easier to buy exact replacements of course but when they aren't available you don't just take a tractor to the salvage yard. A tractor is a pretty simple machine, there is not a lot on one that can't be hacked. I am no mechanical wizz but outside of software issues I can't think of anything I have ever owned that I could not make work with or without readily available parts....a 25 HP tractor is about as simple a machine as there is, kind of like an outboard motor....most people won't try to hack either but hacking things is how I have made it through life...where there is a need there is a way.

What part of a tractor is proprietary to the point that the thing is useless if the manufacturer stops building it? Bearings? Cylinders? Fittings? Bolt on engine parts? All of that can be hacked....again, its easier to buy an exact replacement but thats not always possible even with big name items. There is a diode in every Mercury outboard sold since the late 90's that Mercury can not provide to anyone other than Mercury dealers and its a 90 - 120 day lead time then. The same diode that costs $159 and is not available can be built for about $3 from parts procured on Amazon....I have done it for several people....where there is a will and a need there is a way....