Super A value

[Charlie M]

Ok guys - I know how this question goes but need to ask anyway. I've been looking at a nice looking Super A tractor with a IH blade and land plow plus the guy has a 2 section drag I'd like. Tractor has been
stored inside, good tires all around and good paint (not restoration paint) and the guy wants $2500 for everything. Seems high to me so thought I would ask for further opinions. Its here in western NY and is
part of an estate where we have purchased some train stuff. I haven't heard it run as the battery is dead and hasn't run in 2 years. If I buy it at any price I would put in a battery and make sure that is all
the problem is and there aren't other problems. Assuming there are no other problems than a dead battery what do you thing all the stuff I mentioned might be worth. I think its going to be hard to justify at
nay price since I won a model 100.

 

[old]

That price is for a tractor you can jump on and drive away with not one you take a person word that it runs well

 

[kshansen]

I guess I would first want to put a battery in it and make sure it does run. If who ever is trying to sell this I can't see why they would not do that. Not sure anyone is going to want to buy it unrun.

Besides that I would want to loosen the drain plug on the engine and see what comes out. If water or coolant, even a small amount before oil I would hesitate to buy for even a third that price unless I was in need of parts off it for another project!

 

[Jim in NC]

If you ever thought you might want to raise a garden I suggest you get a Super A that comes with a set of cultivators. It will be well worth it.

 

[Jim Becker]

(quoted from post at 12:02:48 12/11/22) . . . If I buy it at any price I would put in a battery and make sure that is all the problem is and there aren't other problems. Assuming there are no other problems than a dead battery what do you thing all the stuff I mentioned might be worth. . . .

o answer the question you actually asked, yes. If all you have to do is put in a battery and everything is good, it is probably worth close to the asking price. The implements, depending on condition, are probably worth $300 to $600.

Back to reality, I agree with the other's comments. Is the seller gong to renegotiate price after you bring a battery, get it started, and it blows smoke or has a wabbling rear wheel? If you can't agree on a price at that point, is he going to reimburse you for the cost/time you put into getting it running? If not, when you find a problem the temptation to throw good money after bad and accept it as is will be overwhelming.

 

[Charlie M]

I've got enough tractors around to understand all this stuff and what others are saying. All I'm asking is if the tractor has nothing wrong except a battery what it might be worth. I can start there and make
adjustments on what else I might find wrong and I wouldn't write a check without looking more. I currently own a dozen tractors so the only thing new for me is this tractor appears to be in good shape - none
of my others started out that way.

 

[redforlife]

I agree with old. Their price is a little bit of what they want it to be. If it is what they say it is, they are probably in the ball park on thier price.

But, who's burden really is it to buy a new battery, put it in, fart around with what ever else is wrong (stale gas, corroded points, gummed up fuel lines/carburator, low or flat tires)?? Might be low on engine oil or antifreeze/need some added. And doing all that, to prove what it is.
Really, that all should be thier burden even if they absorb the expense of the new battery. That said, if they are not willing to go through the burden of all that themselves, they really should come down on the asking price, considering they are expecting the buyer to do all of that.
And that's where things get tricky. Because after you go to the work of doing all that, it's common for sellers to change thier mind on thier asking price. They'll say, I know we said this or that, but we got another offer on the table we are considering now. So the price is back to our original asking price.

If it were me, I'd offer them a couple hundred dollars less (factoring something in for your time messing around with it). Right them a future dated check, and get something in righting that is signed to the effect of the agreed price and the option to cancel purchase once you've heard it run and test drove. Then put a new battery in at thier expense. And do what ever else and tinkering around with it that has to be done.
That way if they do any mind changing, or get better offers for it after it runs, you got the signed peice of paper. If it isn't what they say it is, you can leave it set, and stop payment on your future dated check.

 

[NY 986]

Assuming nothing wrong, good tires, and with front blade 1,500 dollars. 250 dollars for the moldboard plow. Spring tooth harrow 50 dollars.

 

[riverbend]

It depends on what people who really want an A, SA, 100 will pay in your area. For small vegetable growers around here they have coughed up $4-5000 for them. Price wise, they are almost as bad as an Allis Chalmers G...

 

[caterpillar guy]

Tough call as it sits it is nonrunning so just about scrap price. then add a bit for the tires. Other than that to high. If they want to get it running first then maybe close to that. Like 1800-2000.

 

[560Dennis]

Good equipment that mounts letter tractors is hard to find . Not seeing exactly what you have there sounds like a very fair price if the a doesnt have any issues after a through inspection.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Is this, "$2500. I know what I have so don't bother trying to lowball me," or a, "$2500. This was Dad's/my husbands, I have no interest in it, and I'd like it to go to a good home, so shoot me an offer?"

At $2500 I'd have to see it and hear it run. I would make a deal contingent on the tractor running and driving out under its own power. Take a battery and spend an hour. Bet it won't even take that long.

 

[rustred]

i have bought lots of tractors as is. you can tell by talking to the person and a spark plug reading tells a pretty good story. running is naturally higher priced. plus its sitting in a museum says something. i have noticed 2500.00 is a magic number people put on these small tractors from fence row to nice. the little 8n fords are the same deal.

 

[C.Amick]

I thinking around $2,000. Is it a set of 1 bottom 2 way plows?

 

[NawlensGator]

If it starts and runs good with a new battery, I think that is a reasonable price.

 

[sandcastle1]

I think that NY 986 has it dead on with what the price should be. I think that you are in Canandaigua area, used to live a little bit West of there and his price sounds about right. good luck