Thanks for the replies.
Here in the PNW tractors are really expensive. I'm expecting that tractor to go for around $11,000, up to 13,000.
The david brown is a 990, which was the same as the CASE 990. Supposedly you can get parts for them through case. It should go for quite a bit cheaper.
I said $3,000 to $5,000 to bid and some one else said $10,000 plus. You are thinking it will go at $11 to 13K.
That wide a spread probably needs some talking about.
That is a desirable model of a desirable brand, looks to have all the parts plus an OEM FEL. 3pt. FWD.
If it were in better condition and 4000 hrs instead of 7000 and from a private individual I would say $10,000 would be a steal. I wouldn't have a problem in the world with recommending going as high as $14,000 if I knew the tractor and previous owner..., and I'd go even higher for a creampuff.
But that isn't what it is. What you have is a total unknown with high hours, not even washed, being sold at auction, and you can tell by the mismatched tires that chances are that maintenance has matched the somewhat neglected condition.
BTW, who doesn't even wash a tractor before selling it?
It may or may not have mechanical problems - but at an auction you have to assume that it does. Just because it can be started and runs doesn't mean the compression is up to starting in Alaskan winters. There are a ton of tricks to starting an old diesel.
And being able to move in gear isn't the same as having a good clutch and brakes. JD closed center hydraulics are simple.... but expensive for parts. Electrics? Cooling? who knows?
All of this makes little difference to a mechanic who simply factors it all in and bids accordingly. If that is you, then you may want to go much higher. I am one who who would go higher if I drove it around and liked the engine and tranny. It's that good of a basic model.
But auctions are based on people who are buying on hope instead of knowledge. And sometimes you get lucky. That works best if you have money you don't mind losing.
I wish that same tractor belonged to a trusted neighbor. Then it would be worth whatever he wanted for it. At least get an old JD tractor mechanic to go look it over with you. That should be easy enough to do. A couple hundred dollars is a fair fee.
BTW, the David Brown is not nearly in the same league. Not having 4wd is huge.
I wouldn't even consider it.
rScotty