Used Herd spreader/sander value

[apriordan]

Craigslist special near me. Can't find any locally (NH) but ebay in Ohio or Indiana the Herd 5.5/ 550 new is $1,999.00. A Herd 7.5 or 750 is $1,599 from another vendor. Confused why the larger unit is more, but I digress.

Short version of the story - what's a fair/reasonable value for a used Herd spreader? Looks clean, and I'm sure it functions flawlessly as his photos have this and other skid steer style implements stored in a garage with his tractor. Listing is for $950. What do folks think?

 

[leonz]

Find out why he wants to sell it and ask if he has just used sand or salt and sand. if the base is rusted use small hammer to check the steel and if its sounds solid fine(thud) or if not the steel will echo/vibrate more.

 

[crazyal]

I have a Herd 750 I bought for $250 but it needed some work. The previous owner used it for fertilizer and left some in it. So I had to replace the output shaft of the gear box, aluminum plate at the bottom of the sand box and the aluminum plate that throws the sand. I replaced the input shaft and seals while I had the gear box apart. I also rebuilt the sand box with new steel, didn't have to but I wanted to make it like new. I probably have about $600 into it now. $950 isn't a bad price but I would see if you could get it for less.

 

[apriordan]

I have a Herd 750 I bought for $250 but it needed some work. The previous owner used it for fertilizer and left some in it. So I had to replace the output shaft of the gear box, aluminum plate at the bottom of the sand box and the aluminum plate that throws the sand. I replaced the input shaft and seals while I had the gear box apart. I also rebuilt the sand box with new steel, didn't have to but I wanted to make it like new. I probably have about $600 into it now. $950 isn't a bad price but I would see if you could get it for less.

OEM paint still covers the box, spreader disk and surrounding metal shows corrosion i.e. worn, rusty looking in photos.

Since I'd be applying wet sand, the herd is recommended by almost everyone I speak with.

Devil in my ear recommends buying a pto salt/fertilizer spreader for $500 from the local tractor supply or a poly bin seed spreader for about the same cost as over the long run its cheaper. Don't follow the logic but if I didn't have the cash then it might make sense with a lower barrier to enter.

Regardless, a brand new 750 spreader is 1600 so spending 950 is a bit high. I was thinking 780 or 800. Is that too much of a low ball on a 950 asking price?

 

[crazyal]

The only issue I have is when I get out to put sand down the temps usually have dropped down to around the 10 degree point and the dirt starts to stick to the inside of the hopper. It has a shaft inside the hopper that bangs around that helps but since it only hits the part of the hopper that's tapered it doesn't get it all. But my hopper is painted with primer which I think allows the sand to stick to it easier when it freezes. If I remember correctly the two aluminum parts were kind of pricey (maybe close to $100 each) and the shafts were really cheap. But just a little corrosion wouldn't be enough for me to change it out. The fan that throws the sand out has metal mounted on the fins that throw the sand. Three of them were missing on mine because it had corroded to the point where the screws holding the steel on had nothing to grab to. But parts were easy to get. A local Kubota dealer called them up and within a week had them.

I would offer $750 and see what you get for a reply. If he's getting lots of offers then you might not hear back. I think you will probably get a counter offer in the middle at $850. I would check the gearbox for oil before buying it. It would be easy for someone not paying attention to lay it on it's side and have oil leak out the breather. It has ball bearings and two gears inside, probably wouldn't be too expensive to repair if it was used low on oil. Also depending on what size tractor he has and yours the PTO shaft could be cut too short so those could be a hidden expense.

 

[apriordan]

The only issue I have is when I get out to put sand down the temps usually have dropped down to around the 10 degree point and the dirt starts to stick to the inside of the hopper. It has a shaft inside the hopper that bangs around that helps but since it only hits the part of the hopper that's tapered it doesn't get it all. But my hopper is painted with primer which I think allows the sand to stick to it easier when it freezes. If I remember correctly the two aluminum parts were kind of pricey (maybe close to $100 each) and the shafts were really cheap. But just a little corrosion wouldn't be enough for me to change it out. The fan that throws the sand out has metal mounted on the fins that throw the sand. Three of them were missing on mine because it had corroded to the point where the screws holding the steel on had nothing to grab to. But parts were easy to get. A local Kubota dealer called them up and within a week had them.

I would offer $750 and see what you get for a reply. If he's getting lots of offers then you might not hear back. I think you will probably get a counter offer in the middle at $850. I would check the gearbox for oil before buying it. It would be easy for someone not paying attention to lay it on it's side and have oil leak out the breather. It has ball bearings and two gears inside, probably wouldn't be too expensive to repair if it was used low on oil. Also depending on what size tractor he has and yours the PTO shaft could be cut too short so those could be a hidden expense.

This is helpful crazyal, I was second in line. The other guy couldn't come utility next week or the following weekend. I asked if there was a deposit on it and there was not. The owner then called me a day or two later and asked if I could come yesterday/today. I'll be on site looking at the machine.

I didn't even think of the PTO shaft length, or gearbox oil. This is huge, another recommendation was to lightly hammer on the bare metal or what appears to be corroded/rusted to see what shape it's in.

Current owner has a Kubota HST with underneath mower deck. His tractor is definitely smaller/shorter than mine to the ground, stupid question but it sounds like all 3pt hitches dont use same length pto shaft. Hopefully I can find more info on JD parts about an OEM or required length shaft.

Thanks again Al

 

[apriordan]

Got it for 760. Got some work ahead of me. Needs a bit of angle grinder and painting time. Will also need to get in and replace the 90 weight oil...

 

[jimmysisson]

What, no pix? Good score, all the same.
Jim

 

[apriordan]

What, no pix? Good score, all the same.
Jim

A little rough for sure. Got some 80-90w gear oil tonight. Going to pop it open tomorrow and rig it up then run it. Hope it works. Other wise I'm $300 out on a pto shaft.

 

[apriordan]

Here are a few photos...






... buyers remorse, definitely. Could had a king cutter new for the same or less delivered.

Thoughts?