Pricing a PTO Tiller for Sale

[fried1765]

A 60" KK or similar is $1550 at Rural King and Fleet Farm (Mill's Fleet Farm, in the MN/WI area) right now. There are usually one of these type places (Tractor Supply, etc.) in your area so you won't have to pay shipping. Tax, sure. They go on sale for $1450-1500 regularly in the spring. Regardless of how good a Bush Hog is, a 21 year old one isn't still worth a giant premium over a brand new quality unit. Just like the Frontier JD units, they are a lot more expensive initially but have little proven added value. A tiller is a pretty darn simple implement and as long as the structure holds and the gearbox is stout they are all the same thing.

Whatever though. The OP asked for input and I gave it, along with reasons. You don't agree so that's your right. OP can ask whatever he thinks and the market will decide. I could be proven wrong (often am). So could you. OP will let us know in a while, I'm sure.

Rob

The tillers stocked at my Tractor Supply are NOT built by KK, and are not as well built as KK.
The paint color is the same though.
Tillers are not rocket science.
A Bush Hog tiller built 21 years ago, is very likely more robust than almost any tiller built (Chinese gear box) today.
Manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to cheapen their product.
Is $1250 a "giant premium" over $1500 + tax?
As a matter of comparison: I have a Troy Bilt Horse tiller that I bought new, 39 years ago.
That Troy Bilt, is worth MORE today than I paid for it 39 years ago !
Also: Paint is cheap!
The OP could spray on a fresh coat of paint ($75 supplies), and maybe get even a couple hundred more.
I probably would!

 

[TerryR]

Also: Paint is cheap!
The OP could spray on a fresh coat of paint ($75 supplies), and maybe get even a couple hundred more.
I probably would!

I've been thinking about that. I'll see what it looks like when I get it pressure washed.

 

[BigBlue1]

So,,,, if "we" collectively have something we want to sell. Do we ask the minimum we think we would take???

Depends how fast you want to sell it. That's the beauty of the free market. You can set the price higher than 'typical' and hope for the intersection of a needy buyer and low supply or you can set the price mid-range and compete with perhaps a bunch of similar choices or you can set the price low and get rid of it quick. The OP wanted to know how much it was worth. That is not the same as what to start with as an asking price. My reply was based on how much I thought it was worth.

Rob

 

[ovrszd]

I've been thinking about that. I'll see what it looks like when I get it pressure washed.

I prefer buying something in it's original paint. Even if faded and scratched. I see new paint as an attempt to hide something.

 

[ovrszd]

Depends how fast you want to sell it. That's the beauty of the free market. You can set the price higher than 'typical' and hope for the intersection of a needy buyer and low supply or you can set the price mid-range and compete with perhaps a bunch of similar choices or you can set the price low and get rid of it quick. The OP wanted to know how much it was worth. That is not the same as what to start with as an asking price. My reply was based on how much I thought it was worth.

Rob

I was basing my opinions on the title of this thread.

 

[sixdogs]

You also have to price compared to what new tillers sell for and you can't compare apples to apples on things some times. Things do sell well at 50% of the replacement cost so I would normally agree with the $1250. Problem is you don't see may non-premium tillers sell for much more than $1,000 to $1,100 at auction. That's bcause you can buy a new one for that money and not everyone buying a tiller is savvy on quality.

I would go with $1,250 and just stick with the $1000-$1100 number if it doesn't sell. New paint would arouse suspicion so just spray it with diesel fuel and it will look like new. Hook it to a tractor for demo and you might find a $1250 buyer. Get it advertised fast because impulse buyers are already looking.

Here's your ad:

Bush Hog RTS62 5 ft, 3 pt hitch tiller. It's stored under cover and only a few hours of use from our garden. The teeth are like new but paint is weathered some. It's in excellent working order. Rated XX HP to XX HP. Have owner's manual and all papers. We have had to cut back on our gardening. $1250 cash. Send phone number and best time to call.


I would put the ad in Craigslist and be careful of scammers and spammers and kids with no life. When they ask if it's still available, and they will, just say "yes" and "give me a phone number and best time to call". That gets rid of half of the jokers.

 

[TheMan419]

I bought my County Line (TSC) tiller last year. I looked for used equipment. Maybe I was looking at a bad time. But what I found was used higher end brands that were priced about the same as the TSC unit new.

While the higher end unit was better built it is hard for me to see that it has as much life left in it as the new lessor brand.

Also even if your unit is 21 years old it seems difficult to know that it is low mileage.

 

[ovrszd]

Great ad Six.

Also good point about impulse buying. Tax Refund season, sales are up!!

 

[ovrszd]

I bought my County Line (TSC) tiller last year. I looked for used equipment. Maybe I was looking at a bad time. But what I found was used higher end brands that were priced about the same as the TSC unit new.

While the higher end unit was better built it is hard for me to see that it has as much life left in it as the new lessor brand.

Also even if your unit is 21 years old it seems difficult to know that it is low mileage.

A tiller is an item that age isn't important as use. Use is very, very easy to determine.

 

[2ndhalf]

I agree with several points I have heard, I like original paint too however a lot of buyers like things shiney and new looking. If it cleans up nice, don't paint it. I was trying to buy a used tiller a couple years ago and it seemed like everyone wanted new price for even really crappy looking ones.

I think tillers go at a premium during the spring and it is tax refund time. I would tell your story on the number of hours on the tiller and ask 75% of what a new one of equal quality and size would cost them to buy today; not what you bought it for. As was said you can always come down.