John Deere B price question

[ndgregor]

This JD B is for sale only a few miles from my home. The tractor does run, but I believe the rings are shot as it smokes a decent amount. Clutch needs to be adjusted, hydraulics don't lift (may need fluid, didn't check), all tires hold air. Asking price is $1000, do you consider that fair?

 

[Shaneard]

I think it's a fair price. Be careful though, you go to fixing all that stuff you'll have more in it than it will be worth since they made so many of them.

 

[motownbrowne]

What do you want it for? The price seems okay if you're after a B. If you just want an old tractor to paint up and pull a wagon around, I'd personally recommend buying something that is better working condition. Shouldn't be hard to find a very nice Johnny popper for under $2000. Even a rebuilt one. Like shaneard said, you won't get much of the money you put into it back out. Luckily for your, the same goes for guys that have already put money into theirs.

 

[CADplans]

I love the old JD's,, but, the C/G is too high,,,
I have wanted one since 1982,, and always manage to resist,,,
I have too many hills.

 

[flusher]

Seven years ago I bought this 1949 JD B for $1750. Runs fine. Has the PowerTrol hydraulics and the rockshaft.



Good luck

 

[300UGUY]

I'd buy something else. You can easily drop $1200 on tires, $1500 on the engine, another $1K on hydraulics, and the clutch probably needs replacement. That means splitting the tractor, and you don't know what horror you'll find in there. And at the end of all this, you will have a old tractor that you will never have much use for. BTDT. Those letter series tractors are selling for less now then they did 10 years ago.

 

[Shaneard]

I'd buy something else. You can easily drop $1200 on tires, $1500 on the engine, another $1K on hydraulics, and the clutch probably needs replacement. That means splitting the tractor, and you don't know what horror you'll find in there. And at the end of all this, you will have a old tractor that you will never have much use for. BTDT. Those letter series tractors are selling for less now then they did 10 years ago.

You don't have to split the ones with a hand clutch. You can replace the clutch in about 15 minutes.

 

[David Wayne]

It depends on what you want to do with it & how much of the work you can do yourself. I think for around $1500 parts - depending on the lift issue, you could have a dependable tractor. I think the PTO is transmission driven, so not a good bush hogging tractor. It would make a good puller for a trailer & other implements. And sound good while doing it. If you are just looking for something to restore get it as cheap as you can cause its hard to get out what you put in on any old tractor.
You just do it for the satisfaction, and pride of being able to show it off.

 

[RickB]

It would look a lot better for $800.

 

[ndgregor]

Thanks for the replies. I certainly understand the economics are not very favorable when it comes to restoring these tractors. I just finished restoring a John Deere M that had sat in a field for 15 years. I will never get the money back out of it, but it was a fun project and I enjoy doing all of the work. As far as I am concerned it is nothing more than a hobby, and the tractor would likely just be used for pulling trailers. The lack of a 3 point hitch is the only real downside.