Go BottomRisky Bargain Hunting
 | Don M
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 120 myLocation 
|
2001-11-30 33566
I'm going to an auction in a few days that has a JD755 4wd with 70 FEL that I'm interested in. I have the exact same thing in a 1998 in excellent shape. The one at the auction is an older model and it is in about as rough shape as could be. I tried to start it but the battery was almost dead and would not turn it. I will be interested to see if they jump it and get it running or auction it as is. This tractor looks like it sat out every day for the last 15 years. Well it looks like it sat out for 50 years, but it's only 15 years old. The fenders are very rusty. Seat is junk. Missing side engine panels and front grill screen. Almost every knob is missing. Dash membrane over idiot lights is mutilated, none of the idiot lights work. It probably has not had good maintenance of fluids. It is really rough, and any prospective bidder will have to see it as a project. I'd enjoy the project at the right price. I know what one would be worth in good shape, but I need to come up with a limit for my bidding. If the engine is totally shot, how much is a new or rebuilt engine in round numbers? If the hydro is shot, how much? It's not likely that both would be dead, but maybe one or the other. I am assuming $2000 will about take care of either end.
Those are the two things that scare me the most, if I cannot run it before bidding. If it is not running, I am going to assume it needs an engine and bid accordingly. Any hard info appreciated.
-Don M
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| Steve in Buffalo NY
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2001-12-02 33591
When you go to play the slots at the casino, how much do you bring with you? Same odds basically. "you pays yor money and ya takes your chances". Engine, hoses, radiator, hydro, clutch, brakes, dash........I'd pay $100. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
|
2001-12-02 33593
The trouble with auctions is that people often get their egos into the bidding and end up with things their never buy at prices nobody would ever think of asking. A good approach is to set a value on the tractor beforehand and be absolutely certain you’ll never bid above that. That way you might get a bargain or you might pay a market price or you might save your money.
The tractor sounds like a restoration job, and I'm not sure such work ever pays for itself. I had a 1952 Nash-Healey for six years when I was young and has a soldier's and student's income. It took all of my money and I was able to keep it on the road about half the time. The experience cured me of such interests. Restoration does have value as an expensive hobby and some satisfaction driving around a classic. However the tractor isn't exactly an 8N or Farmall. It might be possible to tire of such a hobby quickly.
I know this isn't hard data, but I'm not sure that figuring the costs of possible overhauls etc. is a good way to set a value on the tractor. The potential total costs of repairing it are likely to be a bargain for the seller, not the buyer. It's not exactly a classic and it's almost a duplicate of an existing one that's in good shape. I'd probably try to think exactly how would I use the tractor and go from there to setting an upper limit on it's value to me. The most conservative way probably is to think of it as parts for the newer tractor (if many parts are interchangeable). That way the tractor is going to be a bargain if you get it, and if you get it running on the cheap, that's even better.
My brother-in-law likes Saabs. He has three of them, all bought for parts. With a bit swapping things around, a little repair and some junkyard work, he manages to keep one of them (not always the same one) in reliable working order. His hobby is having a good car on the cheap. He probably spends a lot of time avoiding spending money, and that should be added to the costs of his Saab hobby, but it's a hobby and he can afford the time.
....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
 | Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
 Pics
|
2001-12-02 33599
I guess I would be a low bidder on the tractor. Considering the potential risks in term of investment to restore I would be less than $1500.
The second question is why? If you need a second tractor and something to putter with does it need to be dead stock reliable? I have had two tractors for years. One classic and one newer. The classic costs little to keep running and if restored makes a nice statement.
Pros: An antique tractor will not loose value. Restored looks nice and can be fairly reliable. You have hope of recouping some of you investment in costs on resale, not necessarily time. Easy to work on.
Cons: Not dead nuts reluiable. Harder to find parts. Not as ergonomic as new tractor. My not want to do large amounts of work on it. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| ken dyck
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 20 domain, manitoba
|
2001-12-02 33619
one has to be carefull, sometimes free is too much to pay.
could be a real liability looking for heap of money.
once had a friend give me a JD sled. spent at least $1000 in repairs and
was able to sell it for $500. i then went out and bought a new sled.
Sometimes paying premium for minty stuff is worth it, then again sometimes you win
the lotto....................... ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| mike
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2001-12-03 33622
Sounds like a parts tractor to me.
I have bought equipment for parts before and have done very well with it. Bought a karman giah that had been rolled down a hill to get the disc brakes for my brother. Sold the engine for what I paid for the car, gave the brakes to my brother and sold the rest for scrap. I suppose the scrap price barely covered the cost of the gas to cut it up, but it was a blast.
I also picked up a spare engine for my 69 chevy van. I paid 75 bucks for it and got emission pump, carb, distributor off it. Any single part was more than what I paid for the entire engine. I put the engine in the back of the van when I drove it to the wrecking yard many years ago.
It sounds to me like that tractor would make a great parts tractor if you already had one that needed "just a few things".. It also sounds to me like it would be a bad investiment as a starting point. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
Pics
|
2001-12-03 33629
I think it sounds like the tractor is ready to be parts out to make someone elses tractor complete. Tractor sheet metal is expensive no matter what color it is. If it looks neglected now, chances it was for the full 15 years, ie; no oil changes, things lose that needed tightening and the list goes on. If you already owned one and you could use the parts great. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| Don M
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 120 myLocation
|
2001-12-03 33632
All the advice reminds me of the concept of owning rental homes. 99% of people won't consider it because "I don't want to be called to fix a stuffed toilet on Sunday night". But those that can see past that are satisfied with the situation because they can see the reward side of things. Like most business-type endeavors, if it was too easy, everyone would do it.
My take on it is that it mostly just sat out in the weather, deteriorating, not being used. It only shows 432 hours, which of course could be bogus. I know I'd have to steal it to make it worthwhile. I understand the risks, I am just trying to quantify them better by knowing what a motor would cost. I have the same tractor, but it doesn't really need any parts. I am a good mechanic and like rewarding projects. Fixing up neglected but desirable tractors for fun and profit appeals to me.
Anyway, I appreciate the advice. It is always good to have a sanity check. :-)
If I buy it I'll let you know if I got something worth having or if I bought a turd.
-Don M ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| mike
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2001-12-04 33644
He he he. I know what you mean about rentals. My wife was scared to death of the thought. Then I introduced her to the property manager who is on call 24x7 for our property as well as a couple dozen others. Sure took the hassle out of it. The tenents pay the mortguage plus insurance plus taxes and we still get a c-note every month. Smartest investment I made, especially considering what the stock market has done this year :)
Best of luck in whatever you decide. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
 | cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York 
Pics
|
2001-12-04 33652
Don I can symphasize with you. I like projects like that as well. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but the satisfaction I get working on mechanical things makes it worthwhile. Some folks pay a shrink $50 an hour for that kind of relief! ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
Pics
|
2001-12-04 33653
I almost forgot to mention, my newest project is a 30' Silverton. It was the mechanic's special at the local marina. Like your tractor project, it has low hours and the damage is totally cosmetic, mostly from sitting unused. The advantage I had is that I knew the engines and transmissions were good when it was stored away six years ago. That tractor could be fun to restore, a friend of mine down the street bought an 855 that was in a fire and fortunately the mechanics were all good on it. He uses it weekly. He also happens to be a J/D mechanic at a large dealership in Macedon. Makes a big difference in parts cost and speed when you are connected like that. Good luck. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| Don M
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 120 myLocation
|
2001-12-04 33657
Well, they did not include it in the auction. Apparently it is in the auctioneer's own stable of "fix and sell" units.
-Don M ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoRisky Bargain Hunting
| Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3034 Northern AL
Pics
|
2001-12-04 33658
So you are ready for a IH Cub, Super Cub or C restore? The make a nice row tractor for the garden. We can find them for ~ 1K unrestored but running here. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This