Tractor prices and well meaning advice

JERRY

I lucked out on my first tractor. Spent about $2500 for an 850 that has been an absolute jewel mechanically. Appearance-wise it still needs attention. The seller was a complete stranger to me so I consider it just luck on my part. I certainly had no expertise in the area.

I finally found a 1983 Ford 2310 that met my requirements. The tractor had a low 472 original hours and it had been taken very good care of; the original paint looked great (almost new); the tires were 80% or better. I paid $7650 for the tractor, a nearly new 5 foot brush hog and a heavy duty 3 point lift boom.

I paid about $2000 more than I had planed on but I got tired of looking at $5000 to $6000 used tractors that needed refurbishing/restoring. I figure it was money well spent.

I still like my 8N though, which is semi-retired now. Rick H. Ga.

I hope you don't mind if I use your first name:o)

Not being a farmer and having no lifelong connections with tractors (other than working on various farms as a kid growing up in northern PA in the '50s) I realized I was at a definite disadvantage when purchasing a tractor. Like you I got lucky with my first tractor (an 8N for $1300), but I also knew it was only dumb luck.

Then on the e-bay I noticed a Used Tractor Price Guide book for sale, it's been so long ago I don't remember the year, but since then I've gotten a new book every other year and currently own 12 tractors.

The book's prices are not hard and fast price rules, but does give you as a buyer, a good educated guess at what the tractor is selling for (they use auctions, private ads and machinery sales for their price determinators) nationwide, and prices vary from area to area around the country.

I would recommend, if you're going to continue to purchase used tractors, you might want to get a copy of the Price Guide, Good luck and good buying.

Mike

PS: If you know of a good 12 step program to help out of control tractor buyers, let me know :o)

It is always interesting to hear what others think regarding used tractor values. Used farm tractors are high in demand and all of them usually bring a pretty good price. I’ve inquired about a couple of used tractors lately, that I thought were bargains, and they were already sold. I’ve learned that the bargains don’t last long.

I’ve also learned that you can get burned on a used tractor if you are not careful. Since small farm tractors are good sellers, a lot of individuals are buying and reselling for a profit. There is nothing wrong with that; it is good old entrepreneurial capitalism at its best. And, you are right, it is better to pay a good price up front than to buy cheap and spend a fortune on refurbishing.

Best regards. Rick H. Ga.