Buying Advice How many kept their old tractor when upgrading to something larger?

[danisiri]

I have an LS XR4040H with 30 hours on it. I want to upgrade to something in the 60-70HP range with a cab. I looked at trading in my LS, and the dealers lowballed me horribly ($12K). It has been really difficult to get a decent offer for it privately. I am thinking that I might as well keep it. But, the wife wants me to sell it before upgrading, lol.

How many of y'all kept your old, smaller tractor? I like the small one for maneuverability, but it lacks power for the tasks I need to do. I would keep it for mowing around the house and other tight spaces.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

I have an LS XR4040H with 30 hours on it. I want to upgrade to something in the 60-70HP range with a cab. I looked at trading in my LS, and the dealers lowballed me horribly ($12K). It has been really difficult to get a decent offer for it privately. I am thinking that I might as well keep it. But, the wife wants me to sell it before upgrading, lol.
.

Unfortunately this is what happens when you go to trade in a "non strong name " tractor whether it be a LS, Kioti, or Branson. Not many people who buy them will ever admit this tho. This would be a tough trade for both you and dealer. The dealer still has to find a buyer for your tractor. Sometimes you have to lick your battle scares and go on.

 

[paulfun9]

I have been low balled on trade with every single brand except for New Holland and Kioti and figure that if I actively tried to trade my current Kioti in eventually a dealer would offer me a low ball deal at some point. The worst low ball offers I have ever received when selling privately were for JD and Kubota so don't be discouraged just screen people over the phone before wasting time having them look at it and make sure they understand you know the machines value and your not giving it away.

Most low ball offers you will receive on an off brand machine will be from people like GreatWiggins post above who honestly believe that it doesn't carry the value like the big name brands and are simply trying to exploit that ! Don't budge on the price for a low baller no matter what brand your selling simply tell them they must not really want it and walk away unless for some reason you believe your local market is currently flooded with high quality machines at the same price point. In that case you will have to modify the price or play the waiting game no matter the brand!

 

[ch1ch2]

I have kept tractors and other vehicles instead of trading them.
It just depends on the tractors worth to me in cash or usage.
I have a tractor that is just for parts. I have another tractor that is just a spare usage. I have a '01 Tahoe that runs great and is easier to drive than my big truck. I could get 3K for it but it is too good to sell for 3K. I can use it and the spare tractor for years and sell them for the same as selling them today. So...take the money and....or kept the equipment for convenience. I like the convenience.

 

[bspeedy]

Having more than one tractor is a must for me. I think a 40 hp and a 70 hp tractor would be a great combo.

You are certainly going to take a beating trading a 30 hr tractor. 12 grand does seem a bit insulting, though.

There are really 3 factors in this. Do you have storage space to store the machine inside without moving it every time you need to work in that space? Do you have the money to keep it, and can you live without putting that cash toward your new machine? Do you have time and resources to maintain two tractors?

With my used tractors, owning them is the same as having money in a low interest savings account. Actually, it's better - can't get work done with a savings account. I have less in the three of them that you have in your LS. But - I'm a hobby farmer and not using them to make money. They do take a certain amount of time / attention / money however.

 

[danisiri]

Having more than one tractor is a must for me. I think a 40 hp and a 70 hp tractor would be a great combo.

You are certainly going to take a beating trading a 30 hr tractor. 12 grand does seem a bit insulting, though.

There are really 3 factors in this. Do you have storage space to store the machine inside without moving it every time you need to work in that space? Do you have the money to keep it, and can you live without putting that cash toward your new machine? Do you have time and resources to maintain two tractors?

With my used tractors, owning them is the same as having money in a low interest savings account. Actually, it's better - can't get work done with a savings account. I have less in the three of them that you have in your LS. But - I'm a hobby farmer and not using them to make money. They do take a certain amount of time / attention / money however.

I'm blessed to make a good living and am a hobby farmer as well. I could buy a larger tractor in a heartbeat and keep this one....but the wife is more frugal than I when it comes to these type of transactions, lol. We have 70 acres and this little tractor is good for smaller projects around the homestead, but major shredding or even just moving hay bales taxes it. Plus, my allergies are telling me to get a cabbed tractor too, hehe.

 

[newbury]

I'm blessed to make a good living and am a hobby farmer as well. I could buy a larger tractor in a heartbeat and keep this one....but the wife is more frugal than I when it comes to these type of transactions, lol. We have 70 acres and this little tractor is good for smaller projects around the homestead, but major shredding or even just moving hay bales taxes it. Plus, my allergies are telling me to get a cabbed tractor too, hehe.

Give it to your wife! Let her take over the smaller projects!

 

[TheMadOne]

I struggle with having only one tractor. If the financials worked out where I could keep the L3301 and get something bigger I wouldn't hesitate to keep it. A smaller tractor is handy for tasks that don't require the larger. I use the tractor to take the trash to the end of the drive. I'd hardly need 70HP to do that. Likewise I'd like to have a "cart" tractor and one for loading.

 

[danisiri]

Unfortunately this is what happens when you go to trade in a "non strong name " tractor whether it be a LS, Kioti, or Branson. Not many people who buy them will ever admit this tho. This would be a tough trade for both you and dealer. The dealer still has to find a buyer for your tractor. Sometimes you have to lick your battle scares and go on.

The non-LS dealer told me he contacted his three wholesalers, and the highest price he got was $12K. He recommended selling it private party.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

There should be a really strong market for a low hour, 4wd, CUT.... Either he's asking too much or the brand is the problem. I would expect a depreciation of $4-8k but then again my experience has been with Kubotas.

 

[TripleR]

For me, having multiple tractors is well worth the money. We've only traded one in and it spent more time in the shop than field. We have tractors from 22 to 85HP and all see use.

 

[airbiscuit]

Unfortunately, for most of us, it funds the purchase of the new one. That said, I sure wish I still had my little 15hp Shibaura. I would think a low hour 40hp tractor with loader should be worth $17k - $22k. Put it on craigslist for your price. If it sells, you're good. If it doesn't, it gives you a chance to test drive the two tractor plan.

 

[cford36]

I have been low balled on trade with every single brand except for New Holland and Kioti and figure that if I actively tried to trade my current Kioti in eventually a dealer would offer me a low ball deal at some point. The worst low ball offers I have ever received when selling privately were for JD and Kubota so don't be discouraged just screen people over the phone before wasting time having them look at it and make sure they understand you know the machines value and your not giving it away.

Most low ball offers you will receive on an off brand machine will be from people like GreatWiggins post above who honestly believe that it doesn't carry the value like the big name brands and are simply trying to exploit that ! Don't budge on the price for a low baller no matter what brand your selling simply tell them they must not really want it and walk away unless for some reason you believe your local market is currently flooded with high quality machines at the same price point. In that case you will have to modify the price or play the waiting game no matter the brand!

I wouldn't expect anything different from Garrett since he works at a Kubota dealership.

To the OP, if your getting your trade info from a JD or Kubota dealership I'm not surprised by what you found. When I was looking to upgrade from my JD I found both my JD and Kubota dealership with their nose stuck pretty high up. Needless to say I didn't give them my time or money.

Since you say you can afford it, get the new one and put the old one up for sale. You can wait for the right buyer.

 

[Will_C]

You can never have too many tractors, etc. if you can afford them. The handiness of having different sized tractors for various projects and uses is priceless.
I wanted a new ZTR mower this year. I bought one, but kept my 9 year old to use at my mother's house-now I don't have to trailer a mower over there-makes my life easier. The same with having more tractors.

Will

 

[TripleR]

I guess it depends on the dealer, I got a great trade-in at the Kubota dealer when I went from my L5030HSTC for a L5740HSTC and when we traded our JD2305 for a 1025R. Both dealers have great reputations.

 

[BAP]

I have been low balled on trade with every single brand except for New Holland and Kioti and figure that if I actively tried to trade my current Kioti in eventually a dealer would offer me a low ball deal at some point. The worst low ball offers I have ever received when selling privately were for JD and Kubota so don't be discouraged just screen people over the phone before wasting time having them look at it and make sure they understand you know the machines value and your not giving it away.

Most low ball offers you will receive on an off brand machine will be from people like GreatWiggins post above who honestly believe that it doesn't carry the value like the big name brands and are simply trying to exploit that ! Don't budge on the price for a low baller no matter what brand your selling simply tell them they must not really want it and walk away unless for some reason you believe your local market is currently flooded with high quality machines at the same price point. In that case you will have to modify the price or play the waiting game no matter the brand!

A lot of it has to do with what the market will bear. Around here, an LS tractor would probably sit on a dealers used equipment lot for a long time because most costumers would not know the brand. No dealer is going to give a lot for a trade if they feel that they can't turn around and sell it in a timely manner for a price that will make them money. It is not so much of a snobby Big Name thing as it is simple economics.

 

[airbiscuit]

I also think the 0% financing option for new affects the ability to turn a used tractor on the lot.

 

[Quebecguy]

I am thinking that I might as well keep it. But, the wife wants me to sell it before upgrading,

Keep the tractor, trade the wife.

 

[paulfun9]

I guess it depends on the dealer, I got a great trade-in at the Kubota dealer when I went from my L5030HSTC for a L5740HSTC and when we traded our JD2305 for a 1025R. Both dealers have great reputations.

Dealer trade in value is dependent upon many things that can change rather quickly but the dealership themselves is the first determining factor.
I noticed this poster mentioned something about a hole sale price from a third party which is a definite deal breaker for any reasonable trade in value based on my experience from any kind of car/truck/tractor/ machine sale or purchase I have ever made.

I would suggest they look at other dealerships as well as exploring being a steadfast negotiator if doing a private sale!

Unfortunately I don't know what was paid for the tractor to begin with but it seems around here the resale of used machines is about even when you figure the original price difference and then apply the said discount for buying used as a percentage. Anything that doesn't fit into that percentage seems to sit unsold for real long periods of times and that even includes the stuff I see on some of the lots. So I would encourage he figure out the average price difference between the said JD and Kubota units from new and then use that same percentage to sell his LS and hold tight to the number.

One other thing to consider is we see many times an advertised price on an add but many people actually sell for a lot less than their advertised price when someone like me walks up with a pile of cash in hand. My last purchase was a Ram 2500 Cummings and the husband was dead set on his price until I showed up while his wife was present and flashed a pile of cash in front of them. She caved quickly and drug him right down alongside leaving me to save an easy 6000. below market value just to make a quick sale that was done with in an hour total. So many of those Adds showing a great resale value are just an add but most have no way to determine how much was actually paid for the unit.

 

[MossRoad]

We did the opposite. After years of using our IH2500b tractor loader, 50hp with cab and 3pt hitch, we bought a much smaller machine to maintain our properties and volunteer work at little league and church. We kept the big one for many years thinking we may need it some time.... but after about 10 years of never using it, we sold it. The smaller machine was just too versatile for our needs. So, I'd say, if you have a smaller machine, and can afford to, you should keep it around for a while until you're sure you won't miss it.