TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

resoration business

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Russell

01-20-2005 05:10:28

Report to Moderator

I was wondering if anybody had any opinions on whether it would be feasible for me to start a restoration business. I really enjaoy fixing up older tractors and would like to do it for people that just dont have the time or want one fixed up but dont know how to. I live in a small town up by Grand Farks, ND. Just wondering what you might think. Thanks.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

sbill

01-21-2005 20:39:45

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

hi guys your talk on restoring old farm tractors i can tell you is very enjoyable there is several ways that people call restored to restore an old tractor you takek it down to the last bolt and then you start restoring your talking new bearings new gaskets, seals rebuilding motors transmission and rearends then you get into all the gauges, steering wheel tires let alone putting on a first class paint job etc then you are looking at the hours it takes a minium of 350 to 400 hrs or more depends on the tractor then there are guys that will put in a couple oil seals and a headlight and paint it they call that restored this is all i do restore old tractors i'm 8 tractors behind right now moral of this story is guys you can't restore one for $1000.00 i'm just telling you from experience thank you bill looking forward to spring

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Deere58

01-21-2005 13:08:31

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

It can be a lot of fun to work on, or restore old tractors. I have also thought about making it my full time business. The trouble is until you have got yourself a very solid reputation, it's hard to know just how far to go with a particular tractor. Most customers will not have a clue what a restoration actually is. They will ask a price, and make sure you always give a price first, and expect it to be around $500.00 to restore the tractor they grew up on, even though it has been in a hedge row for 30+ years. You then have to determine what they actually mean by "restoration". It's easy to paint a tractor and use the term restored. However, if you have any pride, you won't want to let it leave your shop like that. So you tell them that to restore their tractor may be close to $2000 to $4000 or more. After the initial shock, they will probably tell you to do what you can for let's say $1000.00. So now you have a halfway restored machine that is being taken to tractor shows where the proud owner is telling everyone that you are the one who restored his tractor. He is probably proud of it, even though the sheetmetal is far from perfect, maybe a little growl in the rearend, etc. They guy he is beaming to is thinking that you did a pi$$ poor job of restoring the guys tractor, not knowing what you were actually told to do. In turn he starts telling everyone he knows what a poor job you are calling a restoration. It certainly won't happen in every case, or even maybe in most cases. The trouble is it will happen, and you have to be able to deal with it either before or after to keep your business in a good name. Absoutely not trying to deter you from doing what you want, just trying to give you a look into what you can expect. I have done $1000.00 restorations for people who are certainly happy, and got more than they expected. They trouble is how all the "correct police" will critique your job. Sorry to ramble.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

26Red

01-21-2005 10:50:16

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

I have pondered that idea too. All of my restorations-(2 so far) where a complete tear down and overhaul of all the parts- every part was sandblasted and painted...I doubt people would want to pay for that kind of overhauling. It cost me a lot, between the parts and the engine, and I did most of the work myself.

You could probably to the fix/repair and repaint tractors and make some side money- the key is the right price for the work being done, and the reputation you develope with you customers.. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Don Wadge

01-20-2005 11:51:25

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

Like RickL says "word of mouth makes or breaks it" and you better know what you're getting into. If you think it might be difficult buying or selling a tractor sight unseen imagine how critical not just some but most of the guys are going to be about your paint job. It better look like a fine Mercedes. You'll have a whole range of expectations from the customers so you'll have to be good at ascertaining what those expectations are. I wouldn't discourage you from doing this if thats what you would like to do. I do know there are a number of guys doing this succesfully. Your location isn't so bad. You're right on the route that a large number of the wheatland tractors from Canada travel and I don't think that transportation is that big an issue for high end restorations. I'm not sure how much good business there is for what you might call a reasonably priced custom restoration.Once people start paying out money expectations rise. My perception is that if you're good enough there is business to be had and the $1,000 or so difference between one job and the next is not too important if your reputation is good and the customer is confident going into the deal that he's going to be satified. You said restoring so I'm assuming your not just talking about "painting tractors". Guys that can afford a custom restoration don't want oil leaks, worn clutch linkage etc., etc..
I used to buy and sell quite a few tractors and I never got into painting a tractor for a customer because I figured that's where the grief starts if the hasn't seen it and i could do a lot of work on another tractor in the time it takes to paint it. Today that might be a different story as it is much more difficult today to find an adequate supply of good collectible tractors for resale although that is still being done to a lesser extent.

There's always work if your good and priced right. The trick is to be priced right and be good on two fronts. Get the work done and get it good.

Just my thoughts, others may see it differently.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

greenbeanman in Kansas

01-20-2005 08:34:43

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

Would you plan on doing your restoration business from your current location?

To be truthful many of us think of North Dakota as a vast sheet of frozen tundra. Not somewhere we want to come in the middle of winter to check on the restoration progress of our tractor.

Also if you are not thinking locally, consider how many would be willing to pay transportation costs to deliver and pickup a tractor there. Now if you were in the center of the country such as in Kansas-----

If you are up for a move, there are MANY closed school buildings that are available reasonably. Store parts in the classrooms and have your shop in the ag shop or gymnasium. They are considering bulldozing the school buildings in my home town because they can't find a qualified buyer, and they don't want the maintainence and liability of them. Sigh!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

01-20-2005 09:21:01

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to greenbeanman in Kansas, 01-20-2005 08:34:43

Where in Kansas are these school buildings? Got any idea as to the price range they are talking about?
Thanks!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

greenbeanman in Kansas

01-20-2005 11:00:55

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to mj, 01-20-2005 09:21:01

Most are listed on Ebay in the real estate section.

I am not sure that my hometown schools are still listed. The high school closed 2-3 years ago, the grade school will be closing at the end of this school year. Utica, KS on Hwy 4. A person could call the school directly to inquire more about both buildings. 785-391-2282 Grade, h.s. with ag shop, etc. K-12.

I didn't pay a lot of attention to prices but did see one at $59,000. I'm sure you can get them for less if you can present a business plan for the use of the building and it is beneficial to the town.

Sorry that I can't help you more. If you make a move, Welcome to Kansas!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

01-20-2005 15:12:50

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to greenbeanman in Kansas, 01-20-2005 11:00:55

Thanks for the info....'preciate it!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Mike M

01-20-2005 07:13:28

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

I always ended up with the people that wanted their tractors to look and run as good as mine,but they only wanted to spend $300.00. Well that just about buys the sandpaper and paint.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RickL

01-20-2005 05:23:23

Report to Moderator

Re: resoration business in reply to Russell, 01-20-2005 05:10:28

Neighbor does it and has waiting list,2 things very important thou. You need to know mechanically what you are doing and be able to really have nice paint job when done. Word of mouth makes or breaks business. Have lots of liablity ins. Been there done that!!!!!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy