Salvage Tractor Opinions

[PHPaul]

1995 John Deere 455. Not running. Plastic all stove to pieces. Been used and abused and sits outside with no cover.

Owner wants it fixed but I'm not getting tangled up in THAT briar patch. I know the guy, I'd never see the money for my labor and I wouldn't even consider buying the parts out of pocket. He'd want to pay me $20 a month for the rest of my life or something.

What I might do, and proposed to him, is buy it outright, fix it up over the winter and sell it back to him for what I paid for it, plus parts, plus some sort of labor. I know I'll have way more time in it than I'd ever get back even at my amateur shop rate, but it'd give me something to do over the winter.

And, if he can't/won't pay for it, I'll have a nice little tractor without the hassle of liens and getting the law involved.

Worst case, if it's broke even worse than I think it is, I may choose to part it out.

Most likely result is I wind up with a nice little tractor for parts and my time.

Unlikely but possible is I make a couple of bucks.

So, the question is, what might something like that be worth as it sits? I told him it's basically a parts tractor right now. I imagine the engine and hydro trans are either good or require minor repairs. All the electrical/electronic controls are likely junk and the plastic is for sure junk.

I know it's hard to put a number on something based on a brief description, but if a few of you could hazard a ball-park guess, it'd let me know if my thinking is somewhere near reasonable or if I'm out of my tiny little mind. :confused2:

 

[jwstewar]

Those electrical parts and plastic pieces can really add up - if you can still get them. I think I would stay as far away as possible.

 

[SATOHBULL]

I have a 455 and know first hand the parts cost! Hood, side panels and grille, figure at least 800 to replace. Instrument panel likely bad, another $150-250. Who knows what else. In top shape, it's worth 3000-3500 in my area, with a deck. Add your labor to estimated parts cost and do the math to get to an offer price.

 

[bigtiller]

1995 John Deere 455. Not running. Plastic all stove to pieces. Been used and abused and sits outside with no cover.

Owner wants it fixed but I'm not getting tangled up in THAT briar patch. I know the guy, I'd never see the money for my labor and I wouldn't even consider buying the parts out of pocket. He'd want to pay me $20 a month for the rest of my life or something.

This would be a fun project for the winter. I would do a deal like that. But I don't think i would do it with a guy like you describe.

 

[PHPaul]

This would be a fun project for the winter. I would do a deal like that. But I don't think i would do it with a guy like you describe.

Which is why I'll only do it if he sells it to me outright. Then when he can't afford to buy it back, it's mine free and clear, no liens, no legal hassles.

 

[bigtiller]

If the owner wants to sell it out-right, and you want a 455, then everything is great. But I wouldn't mention a word about selling it back to him. People like you described sometimes have a big mouth and when they think they have been slighted ....... well, i think you know what that leads to, especially if you are in a small town.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Which is why I'll only do it if he sells it to me outright. Then when he can't afford to buy it back, it's mine free and clear, no liens, no legal hassles.

Will he get pissed if he cannot afford to buy it back and not think you took advantage of him?

You want to maintain good neighbor relations.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I think at best you will end up with a "new" tractor for more than you could buy it for, at worst you will part it out and not get your money back. In other words buy very low. Very low.

 

[hunt4570]

I'm thinking unless you really want THAT tractor.... walk!

 

[Zebrafive]

I wonder how a guy like this ended up with this tractor. A 455 was not cheap when new. It sounds too far gone to restore. I'd buy as parts tractor only if I had another one to fix.