Super MTA value

My father purchased this tractor for a hefty price of $10,300. Yes, I know that is a ton of money for a 52 year old tractor but there are a number of reasons that influenced this purchase.

1. This tractor was only 30 miles from where he lives. He does not have any means to transport this tractor as we do not have a trailer. This same tractor purchased 500 miles from home would have added $1,000 (at $2 a loaded mile) to the purchase price in order to pay someone to haul it home.

2. This tractor had new sleeves and pistons installed in the early 1990's and had less than 100 hours since this engine overhaul. I have not priced sleeves and pistons for a diesel, but my dad has recently gone through an M, Super M and Super H and with sleeves, pistons, bearings, gaskets, cylinder head work, etc. and you can easily have $2,000 to $3,000 in parts and machine work. This does not include any labor for assembly because he does that himself.

3. The mechanic that worked on the injection pump to get the tractor running again after setting for the last 4 years is a friend of our family and a reputable individual. He grew up 3 miles down the road from the gentleman that owned this tractor and knew the owner and that the tractor was in excellent mechanical shape.

4. The tractor was a complete original. The T/A is sound. It has all of the original lights and they all work. The sheet metal is straight. To finish this tractor it will need a new battery box, wiring harness, brakes, tires and paint.

The point I hope to make is that there are a number of factors that contributed to the price of this specific tractor. Not the least of which, was the gentleman from North Dakota that helped push the price from $8,000 to $10,300, as there were only two bidders during this range.

Overall appearance, location, and verifiable details regarding the condition of this particular tractor has more to do with the price of this tractor than the mere fact that it is a Super MTA Diesel. A tractor of lesser condition would have obviously brought a lower price.

John - You can listen to the debate all night if you want. I have seen a lot of guys really getting juiced up over some MTAD that was apparently sold for five figures a while back. There is always a group that want to drive up prices. I own a nice MTA and have all the reason in the world to want the value to go up, but I don't think they really have jumped all that much. If you look at the photo ads all you will learn is what the dreamers are asking. I see them on there in the 3K range now and again and they usually sell. Best barometer of value is ebay. Search on there for your answers but only look for tractors that actually sold AND have feedback indicating the check came. Nice unrestored MTA that is complete (fenders, lights, etc) and working TA and remotes, live hydraulics, etc still seems to bring +/- $4000 for a nice one.

If you had new or rebuilt everything, I am talking gaskets, belts, hoses, carb, distributor, battery, thermostat, head rebuild, sleeves and pistons, paint, etc... then It should bring in $2,500-$3,000

I don"t understand why the joy lever gets such a bad rap. When you replace a clutch, you rebuild the T/A, simple as that. Even in heavy useage the T/A is still a reliable unit...not to mention it"s benefits.