Deere Plow - Oldie but Goodie?

[butternut]

I have an opportunity to buy this John Deere model "25" single bottom plow for $500. It is in the JD parts catalog (online), however my local dealer has verified the parts are no longer orderable, at least from that source. If I were to replace anything, it'd be aftermarket stuff I guess. They made a phone call and determined the 25 was made for Deere by a company in Kansas. The year is about 1984 I'm told.

The coulter wheel, which is in decent shape, is removed because the mounting bracket has a small crack, and the owner is getting a buddy to weld it. Seems like a pretty tough/heavy plow. I've heard say they don't make 'em like they used to. Not sure if that's true. The owner let me take it home to try, and I actually mounted it on my tractor. I was able to get it hooked up nice and straight, and I think it will work. I dropped it into the ground for a couple feet too, which is why it looks a little dirty. I didn't have quite the down pressure on it, but it seemed to want to go down if I were to adjust it.

Any opinions? It will have a pretty easy time of it. I'd be using it in a 1/2 acre hayfield, soon to be a small pumpkin/corn plot. Clay, but zero rocks. I can't really tell if the point and shin are worn too much, doesn't really look it. Not sure what's going on with the back end there. It almost looks like it is missing something at the end of the beam. Is that be where the trip would be? I can't tell if that second, upper bolt is a shear.

I'd welcome any thoughts. I'm new to plowing. That's my tiller in the background which I've already used in the space I mentioned. I just can't get down quite as deep as I'd like, and I'd want to start turning a cover crop in the spring. I'd like a little plow. You think this one is worth it?

 

[KennyV]

WOW are small single bottoms bringing $500?? Wow... I would have thought 200 tops. KennyV

 

[RickB]

If it had any other paint color, it would be a $150 plow. Let's see, $500, shear bolt trip, no parts availability. Not for me.

 

[bjr]

I gave $300 for a two bottom 415 four years ago that was in good shape. bjr

 

[MMagis]

Last auction I went to sold a 3x16 for $95, there’s just no way that thing is worth $500 to me. For what you’re doing, a new middle buster for $150 would work.

 

[sweettractors]

Here is a IH 300 series plow with all the bells and whistles and wear parts showing almost no use. Lot less than $500. Ken Sweet

 

[wr400]

I have a 25 plow! Works great gave 150 fro it . Mine has a spring trip on it an the coulter wheel[/ATTACH]

 

[sweettractors]

I have a 25 plow! Works great gave 150 fro it . Mine has a spring trip on it an the coulter wheel[/ATTACH]

That is a real nice plow with all the extras. I would value that plow at $400 +. The other JD 25 looks like it may be missing the trip? If that is the case, that alone drops its value considerably. Ken Sweet

 

[butternut]

Yep, I think the trip must have been an extra on this plow, and the depth control too. I'm assuming that bolt on the one I'm looking at, in the other hole, must be a shear.

Well, you've all made it pretty clear $500 is way too much. Thanks. I guess I'll pass on this one. He's a neighbor of mine, so it was too easy I guess. You don't see that many single bottoms for sale up here. I've been watching Craigs List for over a year. The few I've seen are always $300 or more, and it's impossible to tell their condition without getting in the car and driving an hour or more.

 

[beenthere]

Agree the $500 price is high....although it does have green paint.

But it makes my one bottom Dearborn I paid $50 for a bargain.

I'm thinking parts would be more available for the old Dearborn plows (and similar) than for this Deere 25. Could be, the same parts would fit. But this one appears to be missing too many crucial parts...coulter and depth wheel just a couple of them.