Does Anyone Buy Used Tractors?

[Hay Dude]

I have found that to be true with any salesman. 99.9 % of them will tell you outright lies, to make a sale.
If you ask them enough questions, you can usually catch them. Get as much as possible written down, so you have some back-up for future dis-agreements.

That's what I hear too. Those two guys are old fashioned farmers who can probably build and rebuild anything from barns to backhoes as good as new. That's sure one good way to get started.

The other side of buying used is to buy something that doesn't need any work done on it, has low hours - but might be a decade old. It has proven itself good, but is long past any warranty.
My guess was that kind of tractor would be what anyone would want, but from the responses I've gotten it seems I was wrong. I was surprised by the number of potential buyers who would rather pay for new and get a warranty.

I could understand that better if warranty mechanics were trained professionally in factory schools like they used to be. But I'm not sure that is the case - and not sure how one would even know.
rScotty

Well, for one, most member here own one tractor, so it’s easier to buy a new one when you only need one.
Up it to 3, 4, 5 tractors and used looks a lot more practical.
Especially when the new versions are 150-300k.

Then you get to a huge corporate farm where new once again becomes financially feasible.

 

[skramer360]

I bought used and saved a lot of money. I could not afford what I wanted new. What I bought, '08 TC30, had some issues, but I have worked on stuff for the last 30 years and was confident I could take care of the issues. I have fixed all the minor stuff and have a reliable tractor for thousands less than even the same tractor that didn't have any problems, let alone what a comparable new one would cost. If someone isn't able to do their own work, used can be hit or miss for sure.

 

[IndyIan]

I found when I was buying, the used prices didn't really reflect the number of hours or wear and tear on a machine. Also it was my first tractor so I wasn't experienced enough to really evaluate a used tractor. Also I wanted a larger CUT to do some utility size tractor jobs and they are a bit rare in my area, and a full size utility tractor seemed to be on its last legs before the price got down to the new DK40SE price... So I bought new, no regrets so far.

 

[mo1]

I read a lot through the buying/pricing/comparison forums and see that almost everyone recommends new over used. I also see where most folks on here end up buying new. I know it is not everyone but it seems more common. I agree that used tractors are very expensive.

1. Is it because it is harder to finance and folks don't have the cash?
2. Is it because folks don't want to pay that much for used?
3. If the used market is so expensive and no one wants to pay, why does the price stay high? Or are they selling for a lot less than listing price?
4. Are the used tractors even selling or do they just sit forever and not sell?
5. I read a lot of statements about certain brands having higher resale value. Does this even matter if no one wants to pay for it because the resale value is so high?
6. This might not relate but I see a lot if used chainsaws for sale that are way overpriced as well. I guess folks pay for it and folks selling think they are worth near new prices.

Whenever I am ready to get rid off something, I usually put a decent price on it and it sells quickly. Maybe I need to up my price when selling and be willing to wait 6 months.

The closest I've had to new was a dealership demo unit. Technically it was new as it had never been sold before, but it had been on the dealer's lot for a year and a half and I paid less than what some comparable used machines with noticeably more hours were going for.

I can't say a whole lot about compacts, but for ag machines, there are still a whole lot of used machines that get bought and sold because the prices on new ones are absolutely ridiculous. Paying $40k for a used 4440 in good shape to run your round baler and Discbine makes a lot more sense than paying $140k for a new 6140M unless you are just looking for a tax write-off. Used tractors can and do sell as the equipment dealers and equipment auction places will tell you.

I have seen a lot of overpriced stuff show up on certain free classified websites. The reason they "go fishing" by listing something well over what it is actually worth is that there is no downside to do so, but if some idiot buys their chainsaw or whatever for more than it's worth, it's money in their pocket. This is the same reason that up until a year or so ago a lot of people would list their house for 50% more than it was worth and just see if somebody from California or New York or somewhere would show up with a giant bag of money and buy it. They didn't have to pay anybody anything if it didn't sell, so hey, why not? If you look at equipment classifieds where you have to pay to list things the prices are much more in line with the market.

 

[chim]

Some new, some used. 19?? Cub 154 LoBoy - Used, 198? Ford - Used, 2002 Kubota B7500 - New, 2012 Kubota L3200 - New, 2007? Kubota L4240 - Used

First couple were bought used because new were more than I had to spend. First two Kubotas were new because used tractors had been difficult to find at reasonable prices. Last Kubota bought used in 2018 with just under 1000 hours because I didn't want a Final Tier 4.

 

[aczlan]

Used has it's place. Beware of repair costs, parts availability, and your ability to do those repairs yourself VS having it done by paid labor. Also beware of old junk that'll cost you more headaches, stress, and money. Ours was about 15 years old with over 4000 hours on it when we bought it. So it still had some life in it, used parts were available at a local IH salvage yard, and new parts were available through industrial repair businesses. Today, I don't think I'd buy that old and rare of a machine. I'd stick with a common JD or Ford that still has good support

That must be regional thing, there's a fair number of IH machines that are listed for sale around here, similar to the Ford 600, 800, 900, 3000, 4000, 5000, etc, but a little newer (or more modern) than the "hundred series" Ford's.

As I understand it, the 2500A was based off of the 574 farm tractor and the 2500B was based off of the 584. As such, most parts should be available, worst case you might have to switch from a hydrostatic to a stick shift and drop in a different transmission between the engine and the rear end, but it should bolt up.
I was considering that with a 2500B that someone had for sale when we sold the Case 480, but we ended up going with something new instead.

Aaron Z

 

[CH4Ohio]

Yes. Definitely. I'm not looking for a depreciation deduction in order to reduce current year income so there's no motivation to by a new full-price tractor. When I feel the itch, I know what I'm looking for and I scan the usual outlets pretty intensely till I find it. When I do find a good deal, I don't agonize over it -- I contact them right away and strike, if all is as advertised.

There's some equipment / tools that I don't even consider "USED". Like chainsaws, lawn mowers (regardless of type) . . . , but tractors and implements and farm equipment can be found for much less than new prices if you take your time and watch for them.

I'm reluctant to buy some things like tractors at AUCTION. Would rather buy them from a person where I can judge how they've been used and look them in the eye. I've got a couple of tractors that I bought with ~200 hours on them. Both were like new and I stumbled on them while looking for months. Another I bought with about 1000 hours and it had been worked pretty hard -- I got a great deal and travelled to get it but knew what I was getting and still happy with the purchase. (This last example was an online auction -- not able to personally inspect -- so price and phone conversation with seller had to compensate for risk.)

If you're not comfortable doing most preventive maintenance yourself, and some repairs yourself, you probably shouldn't buy a tractor at all. Sooner or later you won't have a warranty. Other than the warranty "security blanket" on the front end, I don't really see the benefit of buying new. Even then, you're still paying a premium for those initial hours on the machine.

I should add that I usually buy a tractor with the intent of keeping it forever. I don't approach this like buying a car where you have to turn them over every few years. Kept under cover and maintained, I think a solid tractor will outlive the owner.

Just my opinion, FWIW.

 

[5030]

Been just following along but I'll jump in and say I've always bought new, the last 10 Kubota's were new. The 11th one wasn't but because I was buying one I was very familiar with (M9000) I did my due diligence before I bought it. A JD dealer about 400 miles from here took it on trade and I 'dropped' in on a Sunday when they were closed and took my key with me (all M9's share the same key) and went over it very carefully so I knew what it needed and what it didn't. Monday bright and early I paid them a visit and did some haggling and bought it and financed it through Ag Direct (yes you can finance a used tractor), I did. Even talked them into delivering it to the farm. I did good but that was before all the inflation and supply chain issues, beside, especially now, pre 4 units are in big demand and I own 2 of them

She cost me 16 and I put another 2 in her and she runs like a top thanks to my dealer and my friend Dennis who is the lead mechanic there She had 6K hours on her and she now has 6700 on her as of yesterday. Nice thing about having 2 identical units is everything interchanges other than the cab versus open station. I did add the 'Tuff Top and some new paint on the fenders in addition to some mechanical stuff but that was it and I can get more today than what I paid for her, appreciably more but she isn't for sale. M9's went out of production in 2004 but the VTE engine is bullet proof as is the driveline. Neither my 2002 (signature picture) or the 2004 burn any oil, start right up in the cold and both just sip fuel

I'd buy another used unit if I needed one, but I'd do my due diligence first.

Sort of matching bookends....

 

[CH4Ohio]

I can get more today than what I paid for her, appreciably more but she isn't for sale.

5030 makes a very good point to add to this discussion! Either way, if you plan to keep the tractor for a number of years and keep it maintained, you can probably get your money back out of it on the back end.

Now you can't buy a new one every two years and do that, but your widow should be able to get a good price after you're done with it . . .

 

[Jimbo16720]

My way of thinking is take your time and look around till you find what you need or want and at a decent price. I have 3 tractors a Bolens Iseki 16hp 4wd, a Kubota l245dt 4wd, and a International 464 all used and paid a total of $10,000 for all 3. I got a posthole auger, back blade, and hydraulic snow plow. Both my smaller tractors have less than 300hrs and run perfect. Don't remember the hrs on the 464. I'll stick with the older used tractors that still have lots of life left.