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Restoring old tractors

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MTC

04-08-2007 16:49:09

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Hi guys -have a question.I enjoy restoring mainly the old two cylinder John Deeres.I then resell them trying to make back my time and money on doing it.I have been doing this for 3 years now and it seems to be getting harder to get my money back.I do not try to get rich on these tractors just to be paid for my time and put new life into these tractors.I use e-bay and this web site.Is the market just getting soft or does any one else have a idea how to resell.I have sold about 43 tractors with 1 bad feed back and that was questionable.Thanks Mike

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jubilee johnny

04-09-2007 09:48:04

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

I have to hand it to you, It would be difficult for me to make a living at resale of old iron. I would think years ago at farm sales the tractors we are now restoring went cheap, but the demand was not there necessarily to restore them like there is now. Could you make more money parting out the tractors and selling the individual parts for more?

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Mike M

04-09-2007 07:28:43

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

WOW !!! you have been busy. If you didn"t loose any money on those that is better than I ever could do. I figure once you start fixing you start loosing money. I have noticed the market is getting tough to sell stuff. And I don"t have the right stuff to sell either.The market is very limited right now.

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wayne2

04-09-2007 07:50:14

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to Mike M, 04-09-2007 07:28:43

I must agree-unless a 3point and cheap it' just a hobby Luck Wayne ps Loader would be even better(less work for the wife) Wayne

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dhermesc

04-09-2007 06:47:43

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

Old cars aren't any better. Unless you "luck into" something rare at a great price you'll never make your money back there either.

Any running car worth restoring the owner wants half what a restored unit brings otherwise they'll park it under the trees to keep ruting until someone will pay what they think its worth. Take a 1967 Mustang coupe that's not too rusted out and is in drivable condition, The cheapest you'll find one is about $2500 most are about $3000 to $3500. A decent retoration/refurbishment will run $6000 to $8000 with minimal outside help (how many people you know has a paint booth or lathe for turning the crank(?). Get hooked up with the wrong shops and it could easily $12,000-$15,000. A good looking restored coupe is woth about $8,000 - $9,500 or so. At best you are are going to break even, at worst you'll lose your shirt.

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Allan In NE

04-09-2007 05:47:56

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

43 tractors in 3 years? Are ya stopping long enough to put air in the tires? :>)

Allan

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msb

04-08-2007 19:12:30

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

Ya kinow----- that's why its called a hobby.Very few hobbies ever showed to be a break even proposition that I know of.

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Irv ( Ia)

04-08-2007 18:54:18

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

The guys are correct, it's really hard to make anything fixing up a tractor for sale. The parts are just too costly, and you sure can't get paid for your time. All the guys I ride with all say they should have bought one restored, but we still turn around and buy one to fix up. I guess we just like the satisfaction of doing one the way we want it to be, either that or we're just slow learners. LOL I can't imagine doing 43 of them that way. Maybe better to restore for hire and let the customer know that it's going to be pricey if he wants a really nice job. I know guys around here that have paid $3000 to $5000 for a paint job!!!

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Larry D.

04-08-2007 17:40:58

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

Well Mike... The hard reality of the Situation,A short Story here<> You just cannot get Your money back out of restoring a vehicle/Tractor, My Cousins Husband restored a Vehicle to MINT cond. and Lost his rear on the deal,Apparently People want You to Give it to them...rarely can You come out Ahead.I've found out.Larry

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dwj#1

04-08-2007 17:33:04

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

I think the market is a little soft right now,not sure why. I"m reducing my collection in Colo. and it"s a little slow. I"m just going to keep dropping the price til it"s a deal for someone. Keep up the good work tho. DWJ

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Steven@AZ

04-08-2007 17:21:28

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to MTC, 04-08-2007 16:49:09

You must find some really good deals on tractors to start with! I have started with tractors that were given to me for free and ended up having about twice they were worth in them!

Personally, I know that I'm less likely to buy tractors now that are very far away due to the increased cost of hauling.

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04-09-2007 05:25:51

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Re: Restoring old tractors in reply to Steven@AZ, 04-08-2007 17:21:28

I agree with 'the cost of hauling' being a big part of it. Diesel here is climbing again at $2.90 to 3.24 a gallon. Another thing that has happened locally is a couple of guys have moved in that are trying to make a living at the restore/sell game. They have pretty much eliminated the 'go find one in a hedgerow and buy it cheap' era. One of them has some pretty deep pockets and so pays top dollar for what you used to be able to buy for scrap price. The other one runs all over buying stuff; guess his Grandpappy owned a grove of gas pumps or some such ..... can't see what keeps him going but he's made some shady deals around the country I hear.

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