With great regret, The tractor must be sold.

[jjp8182]

Oh and the other thing to be aware of when taking care of finances is the effect of inflation -- especially on on savings accounts as it can cause a person to lose monetary value/buying power even while they are "making" money via interest.

In fact that is the single biggest reason I only use my regular savings account as a temporary holding point for either paying bills or moving funds into higher interest earning accounts.

The second and third paragraphs in the following article provide a great example/explanation: How Inflation Affects Your Savings

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

BFJ. Congrats on selling the tractor

Thanks

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

BFJ . . . I believe a "Good Job" is in order your 960 will handle your needs for now . . . and it appears to be a nice machine.

Thanks, I like the ford 960 a lot, 5 speed trans, 40hp etc. I have already taken it to a show earlier this year lol. Parked it next to a 961 diesel Powermaster. It needs some things here and there, but will do most of what I need.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

It would be hard to part with a tractor... especially one that has become part of the family.

I would say it separates the men from the boys when a rational decision is made.

I still feel like I regret the decision, that was a good tractor, I used it for 3 years with no problems at all, never once turned a wrench on it. I liked so many things about the 4320, it will deff be missed.

But I feel not living paycheck to paycheck will be worth it more than keeping it.

 

[Atchuuu]

The decision has been made so I wouldn't spend a minutes time with "seller" remorse. Tractors are beautiful machines but they aren't friends or family and ARE very easily replaceable.

Plus, it sounds like you made a small profit on the transaction. Good post, congratulations on getting closer to debt free!

 

[ultrarunner]

The decision has been made so I wouldn't spend a minutes time with "seller" remorse. Tractors are beautiful machines but they aren't friends or family and ARE very easily replaceable.

My cousin has my Grandfathers tractor... it was the first time I was ever behind the wheel and I was doing real work idling up and down the windrows at 5

If he ever decides to part with it I don't care what it costs I am bringing it to California... sentiment runs that deep.

There was quite a story behind it too... for several years Grandpa spent all his time away from the stable harvesting wood to be able to raise the money to buy it... paid cash and going from draft horses to a tractor was a huge deal on a small rural dairy farm... tractor even had a blanket on cold winter nights... and was in use for at least 50 years...

 

[MossRoad]

My cousin has my Grandfathers tractor... it was the first time I was ever behind the wheel and I was doing real work idling up and down the windrows at 5

If he ever decides to part with it I don't care what it costs I am bringing it to California... sentiment runs that deep.

There was quite a story behind it too... for several years Grandpa spent all his time away from the stable harvesting wood to be able to raise the money to buy it... paid cash and going from draft horses to a tractor was a huge deal on a small rural dairy farm... tractor even had a blanket on cold winter nights... and was in use for at least 50 years...

I have a piece of every sentimental vehicle that I've ever owned. A hood here. An emblem there. An engine block in the back of the garage over there.... :laughing: I'll never use them, but they bring me great joy when I see them.

 

[ultrarunner]

Could be my downfall and why I have 50 vehicles!

Over the years I have traded/sold many but not so much the last 20+ years... also not accumulating much either with the Jubilee being the last..

A friend restored it to perfection and age was catching up and when the opportunity presented itself I couldn't say no...

There is a 50/50 chance if something happens to me the family will just call a liquidator because they don't have the same connection to old stuff especially compared to the person that has restored them... which is fine too...

But... hey... I still have my Great Grandmothers 1937 Electrolux and USE IT...

 

[MossRoad]

Could be my downfall and why I have 50 vehicles!

Over the years I have traded/sold many but not so much the last 20+ years... also not accumulating much either with the Jubilee being the last..

A friend restored it to perfection and age was catching up and when the opportunity presented itself I couldn't say no...

There is a 50/50 chance if something happens to me the family will just call a liquidator because they don't have the same connection to old stuff especially compared to the person that has restored them... which is fine too...

But... hey... I still have my Great Grandmothers 1937 Electrolux and USE IT...

One of my sisters still has my mom's 1949 Singer sewing machine and used it in her commercial costume shop as a dedicated button holer until 2 years ago. Now she uses it at home.

I have a bunch of my grandfathers' tools, my father's tools, one of my great grandfather's pocket watches, etc.... and still use them all regularly. Especially the pocket watch. It marks the passage of time at all family events.

Something to be said for sentimentality towards machines and objects. I think it makes you treat them better, so they work better, so you get more value out of those machines and objects over time.

 

[ultrarunner]

At the risk of getting waaaay off topic.

Folks I know that are always having problems with things not working or breaking take little or no care of them...

I see it at work all the time... slamming copier lids and paper drawers... and when something breaks... its old and time to get rid of it... can't really complain because I have scored some good stuff only needing a new cord or a switch.

In one unit the pulse/ox cables last forever... in another they are being replaced several a month.

That said... making a rational decision is commendable... and getting rid of overhead/debt can be immensely satisfying...