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JRB: I know a couple of quite large collectors, 20 or more tractors each. One guy does a complete mechanical and body restoration. Most of his tractors, diesels anyway could be put to work in a commercial farm enterprise. These tractors as far as being cost effective would compete. The second guy does little more than sanding, painting and very obvious mechanical work needed. He drives his tractors to a local show, and most times you will see him with half of them on a tow line coming home. Guys like this second example are quite numerous, thus they make it impossible for anyone to recover their investment. It is a shame in a way, but sometimes those bad bearings, seals, gears. valves, rings, etc. just haven't shown their true colors. Just take a Farmall 656 diesel for example. In my opinion one of these in new condition would compete anywhere with any new 60 hp tractor, being built today. If one could be assured of complete restoration, it would be worth $15,000. to $20,000. for farming with. Problem is it has to comptete with 8,000 hours of wear and fancy paint jobs as well.
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