is it time to get out of old tractors?

[sgt bull]

Just a thought. Gas may hit $6.00 a gallon this yr. Housing market is crashing, investments seem to be losing ground in many areas and for the first time in decades, we're hearing about "rationing." (granted, its a chain store and probably an artificial thing anyway. Besides, how much RICE do you eat a week? But still, it has been brought up.)
Show attendance is down because of high prices, and disposable income is becoming less and less.
With all that doom and gloom, has anyone else considered that its the time to unload some of your iron before it becomes worth scrap price only? I thing the good stuff will be worthwhile for a long time to come, but what about the run of the mill stuff? Farmall H's, John Deere B's, AC WD's and stuff like that? There will probably always be people who buy this stuff, but if you have to choose between gas, food, housing payments, and OLD TRACTORS, what do you think will win out?
I've started cleaning the shed. It always seemed like a good investment, but the market appears to be dwindling in the not so distant future and I don't want to get hung w/ a bunch of stuff I can't get my money out of. (I am keeping the ones that I get the most enjoyment out of, and use the most, but some of the "toys" are getting moved on.) Anyone else doing the same or even considering it?

 

[NawlensGator]

Actually I'm considering buying your tractors.

 

[Hoss In ME]

Be all over with after the elections.All the canidates say theyll fix everything hunky dory. Latah Hoss

 

[old]

If things keep it up and we go into a depression having these old tractors might be a plus and then you would have something to trade when you need something. Plus a lot of old tractors will run on a lot of stuff other things will not. Shoot if you know how to build a still and have some waste oil around you could keep one going for a very long time for very little $$
Hobby farm

 

[Janicholson]

A few consider this a profit and growth stock opportunity. I consider it a hobby that pleases me and is far less toxic than gambling, liquer, or drugs. If we look carefully at our opportunities, assets, and liabilities, old tractors will fall into the asset group witout any issues.

As Old points out, when the fan spins while submerged, old tractors will still operate.

All those being melted today are increasing the worth of the remainder in monitary terms, but depleting the available supply of components. JimN

 

[BOBM25]

Not all, but most of the guys I know that are into old tractors also farm. $6 corn and $15 beans actually free up a little fun money for those guys. I don't see old iron losing value. Sure, your 20', V8, gas guzzling pleasure boat you bought brand new last year for 30 grand won't be worth much this year, but your 1500 dollar Farmall M will be ok.

 

[Rootsy]

My old iron will earn it's keep. Cutting firewood and hauling timber to heat the home... working, planting and cultivating the land to feed my family and supply produce for market for extra income... I consider them and every piece of equipment I have as wise investments for tough times to come.

If you can keep yourself warm and feed yourself... the rest becomes easier in tough times...

 

[JT]

Not me, mine are paid for, they cost nothing to sit in the shed. I bought mine cause I like 'em, and use 'em, not to make money buying and selling.
Jim

 

[Red Dave]

Yep! The sky is falling!

Sell everything and move to a cave!

All the computers are gonna crash! (no, wait that was the Y2K panic)

The Russians are coming! (or is it the Chinese?)

Panic and hysteria make me a lot of money, I love it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I thought about that too until i went to a sale last week. Looks like folks haven't run outta money yet, even for old tractors. It will get better,or, we will plow less. But we will still plow. :^D

 

[RedJohn-2]

Sgt Bull, My suggestion is for you to turn off the TV. Go outside and enjoy everything you see including your collection of things that make you happy. Four years from now, turn off your TV. Go outside and enjoy everything you see including your collection of things that make you happy.

 

[ed in cny]

I would ask the question to add to this post and that is how many of you use your tractor? I mean actually growing something say food for your family? Figure out the cost of what it takes to do that? I bet you would be suprised. I heard once that if everyone was out of what we took for granted in life that the one thing to bring us back from the bring would be the plow. Not the tractor but the plow. We could turn over the soil and grow something. What would pull it? Maybe we would return to the ways of the Amish and have a team again. I for one never hope that happens but who knows where we are heading.

 

[Mike CA]

My H, however common it may be, is unique to me and my neighborhood. Like JimN said, this is just a hobby for me. The lack of money just means it will take me longer to restore it, and may limit my usage. But this tractor isn't any sort of investment. I knew it would cost me more money than I would ever get out of it. But I get far more out of it than just money, so I'll be sticking with it.

 

[edward_m]

I'm with some of the others: when gas gets that high, my H will burn a lot less fuel than a 656, and can do most of the jobs the bigger boy can do, as long as I don't get carried away with loads.

It will rake hay, run a bailer, and pull a hayrack, just not as 'conveniently' as the 656. I'll miss live PTO and hydraulics, but I can still get the job done, for a lot less than a bigger gas guzzler will.

Considering the relative costs, I would think that this will be a banner year for the 'old iron', and the bigger units are the ones that will suffer in sales. Especially for hobby farmers and acreage owners, who may want something a little more economical.

In fact, my advice would be to keep you're letter series tractors....they may be the ones worth quite a bit when it all shakes out.

 

[GeneMO]

I agree, turn off the TV and radio. There is no recession!!! It is all contrived to influence the election. I have seen it all before. I am in much better shape than I was 5 years ago. If gas is too high, just dont drive as much.

Cut firewood, have a garden, this kinda stuff is just good sense and if makes you feel better when you are a little self sufficient, but the sky is not falling.

As for tractors, generally when I get one, it stays forever. Between my dad and I, 75 years of farming, I think we have only sold or traded 2 tractors in that time period. Never really cared for that 766 anyway. And they traded an F-12 for a new H in 1944. Delivered on April 25th of '44. Oh I forgot, we traded a SMTA for our new 706D in 1968. That makes 3. I do wish I had it back.

I am with MikeCA, if I am short on $$, it just slows down the restoration process.

Good times will return !!!!


Gene

 

[mkirsch]

Frankly, I think the prices are going to do nothing but go up.

Nearly all "hobby iron" is bought and paid for. It's not a matter of making a tractor payment or putting food on the table.

You've got serious priority issues if you're borrowing money to buy antique tractors...

Anyhow, people will still be on the lookout for new projects, but now they have to compete with the scrappers, because the price of steel keeps going up and up. That'll make restorable tractors more scarce, and drive the prices up...

 

[Bob M]

I own old tractors because I enjoy ‘em – not because they’re an investment. Further a couple of my tractors are connections to my childhood – AFIAK you can’t put a price on that.

Besides when I see what many of my friends/co-workers spend on stuff like golf, hunting/fishing trips, casino outings, alimony/child support, etc. my old tractor hobby is downright CHEAP!

 

[Anonymous-0]

...because my crystal ball is broken. FWIW I called a used dealer the other day looking for a part, nada! He just got rid of over 100 tons(not a mis-print) of tractors/machinery, and I know he's not the only one. That tells me that in a few years many things we consider 'common' may not be so anymore.

 

[jjamna]

I did not read all post' but I would say I am like most people. I have old tractors because I love messing with them. Be it driving them or working on them. I think I would sell my truck before I sold my tractors and I don't like walking so I guess the tractors will stay.

 

[Coffee Helps]

My one old tractor is staying here about as long as I am. Keeping it simple helps get through these recessions. Now if you have buyer's remorse, or some of your tractors are getting on your nerves because you have more than you can maintain, yes, why not sell some of them?

 

[Andrew Kappers]

working on tractors is a way for me to stop thinking about what is all going on in the world. When I go to the garage, I just work on my tractor and dont think about the price of gas, recession, etc. Its just a way to feel good about something that you put so much time into.

 

[Zach Bouchard]

I'm only 18 and I like to go out and work on my M because you forget about everything else. It isn't an investment, it is a hobby. Like model planes and stuff, you build them and fix them because you like them not to make money. If you do it to make money and don't like the hobby you are in it for the wrong reason. It is all about preserving history. Doing it for all of the old folks that used to use these tractors day in and day out.

 

[Steven f/AZ]

As tough as some times have been for us, we have never thought of selling the old tractors and engines. Most of them are quite common, but worth a few bucks -- but I enjoy them and if I sell them now, they will just cost more to replace some day and the chances of getting the ones back that have sentimental value are slim... actually, almost EVERY piece of equipment I personally own has a great deal of sentimental value to me.

Is it time to tighten the belt? Yes. Do we all need to have a fire sale to liquidate assets? No.

 

[jonnny2006]

Its all about preserving the past. When i drive my plane jane old H into town with the old wobbley front wheel, and one of our seniors drives buy and has a big smile and waves and waves....

 

[Farmall Freak #1]

Nope, I am not selling out any tractors, because I enjoy them way too much to part with them. I put two of them up for sale last year and was relieved when they didn't sell. I am not in it to make money, but I know that the value of my tractors isn't going down. Heck, I am always searching for another tractor to buy.

 

[Bringselpup]

I just bought a used IH 330 with a loader. Like my dogs, I don't plan for it to just be another pretty face. I'll certainly care for it as I do any valuable piece of machinery but I bought it because the cost of heating has gone beserk. Using it to pull firewood in for next season should repay me in one year vs what I would pay to heat.

So I'm here to say I bought a piece of old iron in response to the way things are spiraling out of control.

 

[charles todd]

My F504D is paid for. The brand new Koyker 220 loader ($4000.00) is paid for. It needs rear tires, and they will be paid for cash. It does anything my tractor salesman has for about $30,000 less. Actually, when I get this one to the standard of restoration that I want, I plan to get a 6 cylinder 06, 56, 66, or 86, preferably a Hydro. It is a hobby... I have 50 acres, it is a hobby... I plan to get a heard of goats, for a hobby... Hobby... Life is short.

 

[CNKS]

I don't believe in gloom and doom. The economy has its ups and downs. You cannot predict the future, only God can do that and He knows, so doesn't predict. In the "long" term it will be ok, such as a year from now, perhaps by the end of the year -- but I don't predict, but take what comes. $6 gas will cause less driving by many people. The price will come down, although not likely below $3.00. Getting rid of my tractors would be the silliest thing I have ever done, I am not in it for the money, not much money in it anyway.

 

[Hugh MacKay]

Sgt: You've already missed the boat, and may as well keep what you have. For those guys that don't believe in doom and gloom, go to an auction. I went the other day, came home with a 100 gallon, 3 point hitch sprayer, perfect 2 cylinder pistom pump, new fluid filled pressure gauge and a set of no drip nozzles still in the box, all for $10. I was the only bid.

Friend of mine went to another auction, John Deere 4400 diesel combine with a pickup reel and header half as old as combine. He threw in the first and only bid of $1,000. and came home with the combine. He said in looking it over, can't see any reason why it wont combine his wheat this summer.

The auction I was at, farm dispersal, scrap dealers bought most of it. It must have been a disappointment for the old couple. I've had a 24 blade, tandem, 3 point hitch disk, out front with a for sale sign 8 weeks now, no one has even stopped to ask. I moved it today, parked it in a planted grain field so I can mow and not have to move it. If no one inquires by time grain is 6", in the drive shed it goes. Around here 5 years ago, you couldn't leave small equipment in sight, even without a for sale sign, folks would be coming in, "Is that for sale."

For the past year the spread between rich and poor has not been so great since 1928. Now we are starting to see items not available at any price, vissions of 1929. This time will be more vicious as 95% of folks no longer have the ability to grow a garden, raise a dozen hens and raise a pig every year.

I see some of these folks saying, "What is a few extra dollars to fill up the family buggy." My friends, the family buggy is small change, compared to the fuel bill on your other family inputs. Yes the fuel bill on all those items trucked to you every week, then add on the extra fuel for producing those goods. Charlie, if gas hits $6.00 per US gallon, Canada and the USA are bankrupt.

 

[dansuper27]

I farm 160 acres and my M is one of the best pieces of machinery I own. It cost nothing per acre except fuel and parts. It rakes my hay, plants my beans and alfalfa, cultivates the corn and beans, pulls my ditches and sprays my crops with a 3 point sprayer.....you can't get a better more reliable piece of equipment. It is my favorite tractor among the JX95, 4430 and 4630 I have. I love to use the 1950's and 60's era equipment that is sized for it. It pulls a 6 row planter or a 6 row cultivator so I think it holds it's own for being 60 years old. It would be the last tractor on the place to be sold if it came down to it.

 

[dave guest]

Never, never, and never!

 

[ben mc]

i am also 18 ant have a 1954 fergy TEA ,1942 case dc-4 , 1944 farmall A i dont live on a farm never have i just like machenery and fixing things knowing how things work i love muking around with my tractors being a high school drop out i have no real skill (did ok at wook work) and have lurnt every thing i know the hard way i do get a lot of stick from people because i have an odd hobby but my tractors will be worth a lot more that the boy racer cars they have!!!!!! i am not doing it because its cool or the "in thing" i just like it and reading up about all the diffrent makes and moddels and knowing there good and bad points well that my 2 cents worth

thanks ben

 

[LenNH]

I know I've mentioned this a couple of times before, but maybe some of you haven't seen this.

I knew a big-time wholesale fruit/vegetable grower in NJ who had about 40 "old" tractors, mostly red, going back to some of the early letter-series and on up through the numbered versions. He was able to buy a good tractor and have it restored for probably 10% or less of the price of a new tractor of similar size. He had a full-time mechanic during the winter, who did whatever was needed to make the tractors work right and look great. I am sorry to say that this fellow died suddenly at 47 and the entire operation died with him. The tractors were so pretty that they brought high prices at the auction that took place after his death. His idea was that he could have a "specialty" tractor for every operation. He had a bunch of A's, Super A's, 130s and the like for vegetable cultivation, and H's and M's and other similars for heavier work like hauling and probably cultivating multiple rows. He never had to mount or dismount a cultivator or sprayer, because he had a tractor or two set up for every job. I do think he had one or two really big modern tractors for rapid heavy tillage, but all the rest were used to make his operation super-efficient. I don't know the economics of it, but it all seemed to make sense.
I grew up on a 10-20 and several F-12s in the family, plus an F-20, a "Regular," an A and B, and an Oliver RC, all belonging to neighbors or relatives. When the letter-series came out, I was absolutely starstruck by their beauty. In the fifties and sixties, my father had a couple of H's and eventually a Super-M, and I spent lots of time on them. They were certainly more comfortable than the old letter-series stuff, but compared to a modern tractor with comfort-cab, full-time hydraulics, 3-point hitch, power-steering, etc., etc., I guess they would seem pretty crude. The example I mention above shows that these now-old birds can still do a lot of useful work at fairly-low cost, especially as auxiliary units on large farms.
No, they are not yet ready for the scrap pile. I hope they never reach the point of being
so uncommon that their prices become outrageous.
I still remember a neighbor who had TWO Titan 10-20s. In the early 40s, he had stopped using them for much EXCEPT disking corn stalks left in the rows after the corn binder had gone through. He said the angle lugs helped chop up the corn stubble, and the narrow tread fit the rows exactly. One day around 1950, my father said that this neighbor had sold BOTH Titans for scrap, and that he bragged that he had got 75 whole dollars for them!!!!! Ouch. I wasn't too interested at the time, but still I felt a little punch in the stomach that such a fascinating piece of rotating, pulsating, thumping machinery could be thrown away like that. Can you touch one today for 15K?

 

[NawlensGator]

I started down that road several years ago to have a tractor for each major implement. I'm getting too lazy to switch implements on the 3 pt. Problem is I keep getting more implements so I need more tractors.

 

[Mike Farmer]

I really wish that gas would go down to only six dollars per gallon here. We are currently ten plus UK MTF

 

[Red Mist]

(quoted from post at 07:50:16 04/28/08)
(I am keeping the ones that I get the most enjoyment out of, and use the most, but some of the "toys" are getting moved on.) Anyone else doing the same or even considering it?

No. mike

 

[rdragoo]

If you can't enjoy your hobbies, then what is there to live for? Don't loose focus on what's important.