Used attachments

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Looking over lots of posts about people buying this or that, new versus used and comparing prices got me to thinking about the stuff I've bought used....just some thoughts....
Most anything you might want for 3 Point attachments seems to generally hold a lot of its original cost, even when very "well used", but my experinece has been the real deals just come down to how many times it's changed hands. The first owner wants to get as much as possible becuase he paid full price - so you save a few bucks and the items condition / ease of purchase (found nearby easy to pickup) makes all the difference. 2nd or 3rd owner gets significanlty cheaper and sometimes makes it worth more work to puchase.
The best deals also seem to be found on craigslist adds - those people seem to be more the type that are just getting rid of excess stuff they are not using since it's a free add. Virtually my entire collection of attachments came from there - all servicable stuff for roughly 1/4 the cost of new....you just have to be patient and find the stuff.....

 

[foggy1111]

I agree. Many implements are going to last a long time - especially for many of us occasional users. But when it comes to stuff with a gear-box or a PTO....I like knowing what I am buying and search out late-model or new stuff. Again...depends on how much you like to fix stuff and what kinda skills and time you have to work with. Used aint for everybody......but my best deals are used pieces too!

Then too....if your not a knowledgeable buyer....you can get snookered by a "deal"....and wind up with a bent shaft, etc, etc. But, Lotsa guys like "shine", brand names, and new colors.....and pay lots of dough for it.

 

[RoyJackson]

Most anything you might want for 3 Point attachments seems to generally hold a lot of its original cost, even when very "well used", but my experinece has been the real deals just come down to how many times it's changed hands.

The salesguy (known him for 10 years and bought two tractors from him) at my local Deere dealer once told me the used implement prices drop like a rock...based upon what I've seen, I've got to agree with him.

Used rotary cutters on Craigslist go for around the $500 mark (60" cutters, BTW). That's about 50% or less of the original sales price...and these are asking prices, not the purchase price. I've seen the same with finishing mowers ($$$ to start off with), rear blades, box blades and rakes. Since I don't need a tiller, never priced them.
The one exception I have found is PTO driven chippers. Even beat, they're pretty expensive and seem to sell fast.
This is the south central PA area I'm talking about. Other areas may have different results.

 

[foggy1111]

Trying to find a quality used Post-hole digger, a good Stump Grinder and some other stuff can be difficult at times (at least around here). When your not looking to buy 'em....they are all over the place.

 

[North Country]

It seems to be to fall into two categories - those that have bearings & gearboxes, and those that don't. There's no real reason for a box blade to drop much in value if it was well built to begin with. A tiller, on the other hand, can really take a beating in rocky conditions.

The well-built stuff with moving parts seem to take an initial hit and then stabilize.

If you're finding working implements for 1/4 the cost of new, you're really getting great deals.

 

[ovrszd]

Looking over lots of posts about people buying this or that, new versus used and comparing prices got me to thinking about the stuff I've bought used....just some thoughts....
Most anything you might want for 3 Point attachments seems to generally hold a lot of its original cost, even when very "well used", but my experinece has been the real deals just come down to how many times it's changed hands. The first owner wants to get as much as possible becuase he paid full price - so you save a few bucks and the items condition / ease of purchase (found nearby easy to pickup) makes all the difference. 2nd or 3rd owner gets significanlty cheaper and sometimes makes it worth more work to puchase.
The best deals also seem to be found on craigslist adds - those people seem to be more the type that are just getting rid of excess stuff they are not using since it's a free add. Virtually my entire collection of attachments came from there - all servicable stuff for roughly 1/4 the cost of new....you just have to be patient and find the stuff.....

I totally agree with everything you said.

I cringe when I see posts of owners buying new attachments with their tractor when buying so they can take advantage of low interests rates with their financing. I'm not talking about an FEL, I'm talking about box blades, etc.

I have never bought a new attachment. I, like you, shop craigslist. Last Summer I bought a Rhino 6' brushcutter off an ad in Craigslist. If I remember right I paid $550. Turned out to be a poster on this website but I can't remember his name. He traded tractors and simply didn't need the cutter anymore. He priced it to sell. I was diligent in my searches and responded immediately to his add. This cutter is in very, very good shape. I've not priced a new one but I'm guessing I got in at less than half price.

Patience is a virtue when buying used equipment. And lastly, a dealership is not the place to do it. Private sales is where the bargains are.

 

[MMagis]

The best deals also seem to be found on craigslist adds - .

Actually, the best deals come at auctions. Here are a few things I've picked up:
10' tandem cultipacker- $200
6' 3pt Deerborn disk- $125
8' lime spreader- $150
New Idea dual chamber fertilizer spreader- $45 (needed a little work)
Paul portable cattle scale- $100 (new price $7300)
As with anything, a person needs to know what something is worth, but I've saved thousands at auctions.

 

[RoyJackson]

Actually, the best deals come at auctions. Here are a few things I've picked up...

No doubt...as long as you keep your wits about you and know when to stop bidding...

 

[foggy1111]

Unless I'm looking to buy lots of stuff (which don't happen anymore)....or looking for a place to hang-out and kibitz with other people.....auctions get to be a huge drain on your time. It's kinda hard to hang around for hours waiting for a "deal" on a small item or two. Then too....the things I want will oftentimes sell too high. (Some guys pay MORE than new prices for old stuff...duh!)

I like auctions....but seldom have the time to sleuth out the good values. As I like to say: "You gotta mine allot of dirt to find a diamond".

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Unless I'm looking to buy lots of stuff (which don't happen anymore)....or looking for a place to hang-out and kibitz with other people.....auctions get to be a huge drain on your time. It's kinda hard to hang around for hours waiting for a "deal" on a small item or two. Then too....the things I want will oftentimes sell too high. (Some guys pay MORE than new prices for old stuff...duh!)

I like auctions....but seldom have the time to sleuth out the good values. As I like to say: "You gotta mine allot of dirt to find a diamond".

Agreed.
And I think my area is probably a little more challenging than many other places when it comes to this subject.
It's becoming too suburban around here. We (Dad and I) quit going to auctions in search of "good" stuff around here years ago because they attract a large crowd of "new suburbanites" who just moved out here from the DC / Baltimore area with very little experinece with any type of equipement - and they pay nearly full price, we too saw cases of people paying more than new, for anything still in good shape (we where scratching our heads and guessing they haven't figured out where the TSC store is to buy brand new?:laughing...now if you're looking specificly for stuff in need of work, you can still find that sort of stuff......I usually have way too many projetcs going on to spend a Saturday standing around all day to go home empty-handed (maybe after I retire it'll be different) ......It's funny, the old guy I just bought a plow from off a craigslist add, said the same thing about his local auction place (south central PA).