Used prices going up, up, up - Tractor Futures!

[Robo 52]

Everyone knows about costs, but some dwell on it

Although this thread started with prices, TBN is about real tractors rather than financial opinions.
There are lots reasons why people buy used tractors. Cost is part of it, but sometimes years go by before we realize that a certain model was special & maybe we should look for one.

Robo 52, I see by your signature that you've got a lot of used tractors.
Is price the reason you have those particular tractors or was it something else?

rScotty

well rScotty thanks for asking, I'll try to keep it short. I mostly bought tractors I could afford at the time I bought them. I have 150 acres to maintain, at least 60% woods, so having multiple smaller tractors makes sense to me.

The 9N was my dear f.i.l's; bought it from my m.i.l after he died when I didn't really need a tractor, because I knew I would regret not owning it one day if I didn't. I love it - it's simple, direct, easy to drive, can let my wife and grand kids drive it. Converted to 12v and now it's my best-starting tractor. Wouldn't sell it for anything.

The Ford 3930 I bought from a dear gentleman-farmer friend when he retired (at 80) from his vegetable stand business, to replace the 9N on my place, but the nephew 'borrowed' it for 8 years and beat the crap out of it doing firewood. My Ford tractor mechanic (55+ years selling and working on Fords) says the 3930 is the best tractor Ford ever made - says it would only be improved if it was the turbo engine. It's where it belongs now on my place. It's powerful but not big, runs great, simple to work on, and I fit on it good (I'm 6'2") and can stand up while driving it - impossible with the 1920 and L2850. Runs a monstrous Howse brushhog good.

The Ford 1920 I got to replace the 9N and let him 'retire'. It's smaller, 4x4 and gets in and out of the woods and trails easy. Good for logging. Runs a 5' or 6' brushhog good.

The Kubota L2850 I bought when I couldn't find an FEL and backhoe for the 1920 for less than the $8k I paid for the Kubota. Old and badly beat up, but works and the engine runs great and doesn't drip oil. It's tough as nails. Good for digging and moving things around. Probably the only one I'd sell to get a better one.

I prefer multiple older machines because 1) I don't want to pay new prices 2) they're cheaper and easier to work on 3) I'm not a 'farmer' so I don't need a big machine 4) I can always count on at least 2-3 of them to be working and to get the job done 4) I like tractors 5) I like older stuff in general - have a 1964 F-100 pickup, a 1925 Ford Model T, a 200yo house and a 120yo barn I saved from being burned down up the road and moved to my place.

I could get one modern tractor for about what I paid for the 3 diesels, but what if it broke? And I'm not really fond of modern interlocks, emissions controls, electronics, illogical designs and Chinese parts. I'm a dinosaur.

 

[ovrszd]

well rScotty thanks for asking, I'll try to keep it short. I mostly bought tractors I could afford at the time I bought them. I have 150 acres to maintain, at least 60% woods, so having multiple smaller tractors makes sense to me.

The 9N was my dear f.i.l's; bought it from my m.i.l after he died when I didn't really need a tractor, because I knew I would regret not owning it one day if I didn't. I love it - it's simple, direct, easy to drive, can let my wife and grand kids drive it. Converted to 12v and now it's my best-starting tractor. Wouldn't sell it for anything.

The Ford 3930 I bought from a dear gentleman-farmer friend when he retired (at 80) from his vegetable stand business, to replace the 9N on my place, but the nephew 'borrowed' it for 8 years and beat the crap out of it doing firewood. My Ford tractor mechanic (55+ years selling and working on Fords) says the 3930 is the best tractor Ford ever made - says it would only be improved if it was the turbo engine. It's where it belongs now on my place. It's powerful but not big, runs great, simple to work on, and I fit on it good (I'm 6'2") and can stand up while driving it - impossible with the 1920 and L2850. Runs a monstrous Howse brushhog good.

The Ford 1920 I got to replace the 9N and let him 'retire'. It's smaller, 4x4 and gets in and out of the woods and trails easy. Good for logging. Runs a 5' or 6' brushhog good.

The Kubota L2850 I bought when I couldn't find an FEL and backhoe for the 1920 for less than the $8k I paid for the Kubota. Old and badly beat up, but works and the engine runs great and doesn't drip oil. It's tough as nails. Good for digging and moving things around. Probably the only one I'd sell to get a better one.

I prefer multiple older machines because 1) I don't want to pay new prices 2) they're cheaper and easier to work on 3) I'm not a 'farmer' so I don't need a big machine 4) I can always count on at least 2-3 of them to be working and to get the job done 4) I like tractors 5) I like older stuff in general - have a 1964 F-100 pickup, a 1925 Ford Model T, a 200yo house and a 120yo barn I saved from being burned down up the road and moved to my place.

I could get one modern tractor for about what I paid for the 3 diesels, but what if it broke? And I'm not really fond of modern interlocks, emissions controls, electronics, illogical designs and Chinese parts. I'm a dinosaur.

My 3910 said to tell you it objects to your comment that the 3930 is the best Ford ever made.

 

[lman]

It seems strange to me that everyone wants to blame shortages or higher prices on government.

For example, there are fewer and fewer small used tractors available because real farmers don't buy 40 HP tractors
anymore to use on the farm. Most real farmers used nothing less than 100HP...ask any real farm tractor dealer...not some one who caters only to suburban hobbyists. Look for a 30 year old 40HP tractor....not many around. But lots of 65 year old 40 HP tractors from the time when lots of small farms were still operating. So I guess long ago federal farm policy encouraged consolidation???? So we can blame it on the Govt?.....bit of a stretch in my opinion.

I blame current policies of printing money and spending like there is no tomorrow for the current inflationary prices of just about everything.

 

[EddinKY]

I blame current policies of printing money and spending like there is no tomorrow for the current inflationary prices of just about everything.

Question is...if the other guy was still in office and we had the same inflationary problems due to his 2020 monetary policy, and Josh's late 2020.... $2000 plan.......would you be writing the same assessment? I sure hope so.

 

[jezreel]

Term Limits and Flat Tax. Wouldn’t solve everything, but it would help immensely.

 

[Muhammad]

Everybody I talk to says "it's out of control, people are paying stupid prices for _______"

I wonder if spending habits have changed yet due to price increases? If they change, that could be the real concern.

Personally I'm not going to buy an expensive new car for above list price when my paid off 2007 with 116k miles is doing the job fine and I need that car payment money to pay for everything else that has skyrocketed in price. Same goes for a lot of discretionary stuff for me.

If inflation continues, I'll continue to cut costs where I can to keep the bills paid and I'll work harder to earn more for any luxuries if I want them.

 

[EddinKY]

Term Limits and Flat Tax. Wouldn’t solve everything, but it would help immensely.

I am fine with the flat tax idea. But I don't want a bunch of rookies running the country. Term limits means people who are still trying to find their parking spot and the restroom, will turn their vote over to their staffers that have been in power for years and years. (a recipe for insiders). Limits will just add to the bureaucracy. I don't fire my Doctor every 6 years, nor my kids teachers. What if my boss fired me every 6 years after I had learned to do my job well? Do you want a rookie tractor mechanic just weeks into the job? Government is a complex thing to do well.
The key is to have serious election fund raising reforms and strict ethics controls.....

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

well rScotty thanks for asking, I'll try to keep it short. I mostly bought tractors I could afford at the time I bought them. I have 150 acres to maintain, at least 60% woods, so having multiple smaller tractors makes sense to me.

The 9N was my dear f.i.l's; bought it from my m.i.l after he died when I didn't really need a tractor, because I knew I would regret not owning it one day if I didn't. I love it - it's simple, direct, easy to drive, can let my wife and grand kids drive it. Converted to 12v and now it's my best-starting tractor. Wouldn't sell it for anything.

The Ford 3930 I bought from a dear gentleman-farmer friend when he retired (at 80) from his vegetable stand business, to replace the 9N on my place, but the nephew 'borrowed' it for 8 years and beat the crap out of it doing firewood. My Ford tractor mechanic (55+ years selling and working on Fords) says the 3930 is the best tractor Ford ever made - says it would only be improved if it was the turbo engine. It's where it belongs now on my place. It's powerful but not big, runs great, simple to work on, and I fit on it good (I'm 6'2") and can stand up while driving it - impossible with the 1920 and L2850. Runs a monstrous Howse brushhog good.

The Ford 1920 I got to replace the 9N and let him 'retire'. It's smaller, 4x4 and gets in and out of the woods and trails easy. Good for logging. Runs a 5' or 6' brushhog good.

The Kubota L2850 I bought when I couldn't find an FEL and backhoe for the 1920 for less than the $8k I paid for the Kubota. Old and badly beat up, but works and the engine runs great and doesn't drip oil. It's tough as nails. Good for digging and moving things around. Probably the only one I'd sell to get a better one.

I prefer multiple older machines because 1) I don't want to pay new prices 2) they're cheaper and easier to work on 3) I'm not a 'farmer' so I don't need a big machine 4) I can always count on at least 2-3 of them to be working and to get the job done 4) I like tractors 5) I like older stuff in general - have a 1964 F-100 pickup, a 1925 Ford Model T, a 200yo house and a 120yo barn I saved from being burned down up the road and moved to my place.

I could get one modern tractor for about what I paid for the 3 diesels, but what if it broke? And I'm not really fond of modern interlocks, emissions controls, electronics, illogical designs and Chinese parts. I'm a dinosaur.

I hear you on the Fords, I'm a big Ford fan. In fact Ford is the only tractor I'm a fan of. It's really a shame that they sold their tractor interests out to Fiat.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I am fine with the flat tax idea. But I don't want a bunch of rookies running the country. Term limits means people who are still trying to find their parking spot and the restroom, will turn their vote over to their staffers that have been in power for years and years. (a recipe for insiders). Limits will just add to the bureaucracy. I don't fire my Doctor every 6 years, nor my kids teachers. What if my boss fired me every 6 years after I had learned to do my job well? Do you want a rookie tractor mechanic just weeks into the job? Government is a complex thing to do well.
The key is to have serious election fund raising reforms and strict ethics controls.....

What needs to change is a way to easily recall these people after their first two years of their election term. The current recall system is a joke.

 

[Robo 52]

My 3910 said to tell you it objects to your comment that the 3930 is the best Ford ever made.

don't shoot the messenger, ovrszd - I'm just repeating the word on the street.
Really, doubt there's very much difference if any between our 3900series tractors, except I sure wish mine was 4WD like yours. I'll swap Kubota's with you, tho'. I'll even do the driving.
Love your tagline "Happiness isn't having everything you want, it's wanting everything you have." My corollary is
"I don't have everything I want, but I'm blessed to have far more than I need."