Tree falls on Tractor will Homeowners insurance cover it?

[shane]

Is there a possibility of an independent tractor repair shop in your area doing the work cheaper? Just wondering if that's an option.

As others have said, this has been very educational. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ford tractor]

You can save some bucks by wrenching the replacement parts yourself...

 

[hawkeye08]

Hire Brain55 to rebuild it.

 

[Dozernut]

I would take the $8500 and put a down payment on a new tractor, then finance the balance for 5 years at 0%. I would then part out the old tractor and sell on eBay or C-list. You will probably make more from parting it out then what you were paid to repair it. You would have a brand new tractor, setup how you want, with a warranty.

 

[buck12]

Is there a possibility of an independent tractor repair shop in your area doing the work cheaper? Just wondering if that's an option.

As others have said, this has been very educational. Thanks for sharing.

Good advice. Another possibility is to find a tractor mechanic that will do the work on the side. I have a friend that is a tractor mechanic. His employer allows him to do side work as long as it is not on the brand tractor the dealership sells. He is about 1/3 the dealer rate.

 

[Ford tractor]

I would take the $8500 and put a down payment on a new tractor, then finance the balance for 5 years at 0%. I would then part out the old tractor and sell on eBay or C-list. You will probably make more from parting it out then what you were paid to repair it. You would have a brand new tractor, setup how you want, with a warranty.

Yeah, sad but true, that's probably the soundest advice. The value of the parted engine, transmission, etc are no doubt greater than the value of the dented warrior.

 

[dfkrug]

Yeah, sad but true, that's probably the soundest advice. The value of the parted engine, transmission, etc are no doubt greater than the value of the dented warrior.

That may be true, if you can find buyers for all the parts, as well as
take it apart and ship it all. The local market for the parts is not likely
big enough. Many of the parts fit only a narrow range of NH models, too.
Keeping it together to sell as a fixer locally is the cleaner approach, and it
should bring a decent price, as-is.

BTW, I am mostly with DOZER. Take the money and buy a new unit, then
sell the old one.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree with the others. You worked hard to save up and buy your baby, get it fixed 100% or just use that money and get a new one. You can get a New Kioti or Bobcat in the 35HP range at good prices right now. Your old loader, wheels, engine, and a few other pieces would replace and put money back in your pocket if sold separately.

Not fixing it 100% or getting something new just does not seem smart to me. Yes, it will put a few $$$ in you pocket but you will always have a screwed up tractor that if you try to sell you will lose on.

Chris

 

[jejeosborne]

I visited the dealer yesterday to mark off the items that I didn't want repaired. The total savings ended up being right at $3000. I am replacing the right fender along with everything around the steering column including the hydraulic steering valve that was $1200 itself. They kept the labor at $2100 because they said they may have to straighten a few items. I agree it would be nice to have found someone cheaper on the labor but it is already there and the dash area is completely destroyed and they know how it goes back together.

On a side note, I asked them how much they charged for the estimate and was surprised to hear that it was over $500. Fortunately this was covered but it pretty much maxed out my $10000 limit. I am going to question that figure because they said the shop had 3 hours in it. I know the parts gal had just as much time invested but is she $70/hr as well?

I will end up with the tractor in as good of shape as before with the exception of a hole in my seat and a couple of minor dents. On the plus side, a new dash, steering components, and fender. I will be pocketing about $1000 after subtracting my increased premiums. I plan on keeping the tractor for a long time so I don't worry about the extra boo boos. It only gets "paraded" through the woods.

I will post finished pics along with the damaged parts when completed. I appreciate all the advice from everyone and hope this will help others if the ever had a bad day like I had.

Jeff

 

[buck12]

I visited the dealer yesterday to mark off the items that I didn't want repaired. The total savings ended up being right at $3000. I am replacing the right fender along with everything around the steering column including the hydraulic steering valve that was $1200 itself. They kept the labor at $2100 because they said they may have to straighten a few items. I agree it would be nice to have found someone cheaper on the labor but it is already there and the dash area is completely destroyed and they know how it goes back together.

On a side note, I asked them how much they charged for the estimate and was surprised to hear that it was over $500. Fortunately this was covered but it pretty much maxed out my $10000 limit. I am going to question that figure because they said the shop had 3 hours in it. I know the parts gal had just as much time invested but is she $70/hr as well?

I will end up with the tractor in as good of shape as before with the exception of a hole in my seat and a couple of minor dents. On the plus side, a new dash, steering components, and fender. I will be pocketing about $1000 after subtracting my increased premiums. I plan on keeping the tractor for a long time so I don't worry about the extra boo boos. It only gets "paraded" through the woods.

I will post finished pics along with the damaged parts when completed. I appreciate all the advice from everyone and hope this will help others if the ever had a bad day like I had.

Jeff

Sounds like a good plan and bet the tractor works as well as ever.