Considering Used TC18

[Riddler]

I am looking at a low (100) hours, 4 year old, gear model TC18 without power steering. Looks almost new. Comes with a 4' brush hog and a 40" NH tiller. No FEL. My dealer, who sold the machine originally, is selling it for the customer.

Would $8,000 be a favorable deal, especially if my dealer does a full service and checks to make sure everything works well? I own a TC45DA with HST, but I can't use it in a 10 acre vineyard that I just planted. I need a tractor that is no more than 48" wide. I am hoping that a small CUT, like the TC18, will be enough to till/disc between the rows, pull a small trailer, and generally get me around the planted area.

 

[Soundguy]

Hmm.. the price of the machine by itself was about 8gs new.. .. or more like 7 and some change when i priced one back in 2000 or so.

The 4' mower value.. depending on when bought could be 450$-800$ new.. but i wouldn't value a used implement at more than half unless it was NOS.. or REALLY minty. Same for the tiller.

It's up to you to decide if the value of the tiller and the mower are enough to equal the 'use' on the tractor.

Under 100 hrs is still a baby when it comes to use... and smaller tractors hold their value better than older tractors. I bought a NH 1920 used from the dealer for 9500$.. used it a few years and traded it back to the same dealer and got 8500$ in trade..

i fthe machine looks tight.. and runs out good.. and the implements are in good condition.. it's ok. not a steal.. but not a ripoff either.

( check the oil.. 100 hours means 'by the book' it's maybee only had it's initial 50 hr service and is 'due' for 100 hr service.. depending on the owner. if it was a good owner.. h at least change dthe oil yearly whether it needed it or not. )

soundguy

 

[Solo]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Mine was $8900 new with tax in 2001, with no loader or attachments.

Solo

 

[Riddler]

Thanks for the input. From the research I did online, I got the sense that $8K might be fair, but perhaps not a steal. It's in great condition, but doesn't have HST or power steering. I agree that the implements don't add more than $500-$700 to the deal.

Right now, the asking price is $8,500. Maybe I'll offer $7K and see where its goes from there (if anywhere).

 

[Inspector507]

4 years ago I bought my TC18 with HST and power steering for $8800. Are the implements also 4 years old? Seems high to me, but that's my opinion.

 

[TimC]

I bought my 1999 TC18 gear, no PS used 2 years ago for $5200, no attachments, 120 hrs. 8k seems high, even with the tiller and cutter.

I'm trying to sell mine now for $5500 and no interest, and may drop to $5000 soon. It only has 230 hours as of now. Too bad you're not closer.

I like my TC18, and it would without a doubt do what you want. I just need a bigger tractor with FEL.

 

[Riddler]

Well, I am glad I reached out for a little input. It is a nice, low hours, machine, and the implements, although used, are both exactly what I need, but it sounds like $8,500 (current asking price) is no real bargain. In fact, I'm getting the sense that something like $7,000 is a more reasonable deal. That's what I will offer and see what happens.

NH's 0% financing for 50 months on Boomers is also timely. What's a new TC23DA go for?

 

[TN75Jason]

Riddler,

I wish that you were closer to my side of the country - I've got a TC18 hydro with power steering on my lot with very low hours (under 200, if I remember correctly) for $6500.

Jason

 

[jinman]

Riddler,

I wish that you were closer to my side of the country - I've got a TC18 hydro with power steering on my lot with very low hours (under 200, if I remember correctly) for $6500.

Jason

Nice! If I were closer, I might be your customer. I need a mowing tractor for three acres and a TC18 would sure be better than similarly priced lawn tractors that only are able to cut grass. I'm not seriously looking yet, but next year I will be.

 

[Riddler]

Jason, I wish I was closer too. I need a 4wd tractor that is no wider than 48" to mow and till/harrow. I probably won't use it more than a 100 hours a year, so a used TC18-23 would fit the bill nicely.

 

[jimg]

There are several TCs in the small chassis class on tractorhouse.com that might work for you tc18, 21 and 24.

 

[Riddler]

I do check out Tractorhouse.com regularly, but I really am far away from most of the action.

In the meantime, the '04 TC18 continues to sit at my dealer. The seller's bottom line remains $8K, but the two implements that come with it (both of which I need) cost over $2K new, so I would actually be paying no more than about $7K for the tractor. For a 4 year old, 4wd, TC18 with 100 hours, how much can I really save fussing with a unit half way across the country (that I can't inspect before I buy and have to pay dearly to ship)?

Although I can find uses for the tractor now, I can probably manage to get by without it until as late as Spring. At this price point though, am I stupid to procrastinate?? My dealer, who I like and trust, thinks so. He suspects that I'll have a difficult time finding an equally good deal locally between now and then, especially on something that fits my needs so well.

 

[TimC]

At this price point though, am I stupid to procrastinate?? My dealer, who I like and trust, thinks so. He suspects that I'll have a difficult time finding an equally good deal locally between now and then, especially on something that fits my needs so well.

I'm not in any way trying to imply that your dealer is trying to take you for a ride, but....
Conscider the source. Your dealer is also in the business to make money by selling you that TC18 for $8k. Hence, he'll tell you that your best move would be to pay cash for his tractor right now. Maybe California prices are high, but there are significantly cheaper small TCs elsewhere in the country.

 

[FarmallFan]

Jason, Where is your lot located? I live at Carrollton and Senoia is only a 30 - 40 minute drive for me. I want to purchase a used tractor next year sometime and I'm looking for used tractor dealers close by. Thanks, Farmall Fan

 

[thcri]

I think the price is high but remember everyone that area does make a difference in price. I would check into a brand new one with the 0% interest. I bought a TC21D 5 years ago for not a lot more than that.


murph

 

[Riddler]

Tim and Murph, thanks for the feedback. In defense of my dealer, the tractor isn't his, it's a customer's machine. I agree though, as good as my dealer has been to me the past several years, it's good to remind myself that he remains in the business to make money.

I believe that a new 4wd TC21 runs at least $13K or $14K. As a practical matter, the TC18 is close to new (100 hours only), so at half the price of a new tractor ($7K for the tractor + $1K for the used implements = $8K), it seems I can't go too wrong. It could just be my imagination, but it always seems as if tractors and implements are a whole lot more expensive here in Northern Cal., especially in the wine country. Sad to say, a deal that would be just average elsewhere ends up looking down right good around these parts.