Wide spread in Tractor pricing ?

[Stocker Steve]

I have been looking at the Tractor House and Machinery Pete data for several low hour tractors. It appears that Dealers often ask for 20 to 30% more than the average auction sale prices. It also appears that the price of newer models of tractors can vary 10 to 20% in different parts of the country.

Have you see this too?
What could be a better value than less than 1,000 hour hour tractors ?

 

[Named'em Tamed'em]

Things are definitely cheaper depending on the area. I drove 8 hours to Idaho and saved a couple thousand dollars on the cost of a machine ,got way more features like enclosed cab heat and air conditioning plus 4% on sales tax 4% on financing savings.

 

[4hfarms]

That is like the price on everything. Cars, property, even the prices at walmart.

 

[Rydero]

That all sounds about right. The value is good on those lower hour units - only thing better imo is something quality that's houred up with easy hours but trust/luck/maintenance are all key. I think if you play that game well there's a lot to gain but you can get stung too. I know people who've been stung by newer machinery too.

 

[Silver]

You just never know. Neighbour just put $23K into the motor on his fairly new to him (couple of years) 6430 John Deere at about the 5500 hr mark.

 

[cfpinz]

You just never know. Neighbour just put $23K into the motor on his fairly new to him (couple of years) 6430 John Deere at about the 5500 hr mark.

Damn. Was that a crate motor swap?

 

[Silver]

Damn. Was that a crate motor swap?

No, an in frame job. And not the works either. The top of one piston broke apart, the lip above the top ring. Ruined that cylinder and valves and got into another. Then I think through the turbo and intercooler.
They told him with these motors you have to keep engine rpm at 1400 or above when using the hydraulics... they had reasons but it sounded like a bunch of bs. to me.

 

[Stocker Steve]

You just never know. Neighbour just put $23K into the motor on his fairly new to him (couple of years) 6430 John Deere at about the 5500 hr mark.

One of those is on a March auction here...

Is the moral of the story to buy an extended warranty, or trade at a certain number of hours, or ?

 

[Silver]

One of those is on a March auction here...

Is the moral of the story to buy an extended warranty, or trade at a certain number of hours, or ?

That's the million dollar question for sure.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

You just never know. Neighbour just put $23K into the motor on his fairly new to him (couple of years) 6430 John Deere at about the 5500 hr mark.

Yikes hope he got some lube with that shaft job. IIRC thats a powertech 4.5L motor, if so a buddy just did one (last summer) from a piece of logging equipment complete out of frame. Did the whole 9 yards using all JD parts including a "new" JD cylinder head and turbo for way less than 23k.

 

[Rydero]

One of those is on a March auction here...

Is the moral of the story to buy an extended warranty, or trade at a certain number of hours, or ?

The real trick is to start with something good. A good tractor extended warranty is a waste of money. Look at the old 3010's, 20's - 4010's, 20's that still work to this day. I for one think it's unacceptable with what these tractors cost that they can't go longer without major work. Construction equipment usually hours up with far less issues. Why I went away from the more conventional manufacturers. Went instead with something that I think is superior with more hours.

 

[Silver]

Yikes hope he got some lube with that shaft job. IIRC thats a powertech 4.5L motor, if so a buddy just did one (last summer) from a piece of logging equipment complete out of frame. Did the whole 9 yards using all JD parts including a "new" JD cylinder head and turbo for way less than 23k.

Canadian dollars, northern Canadian oilfield town pricing. I'd guess dealer shop rate at well over $150 / hr.

 

[Stocker Steve]

The real trick is to start with something good. A good tractor extended warranty is a waste of money. Look at the old 3010's, 20's - 4010's, 20's that still work to this day. I for one think it's unacceptable with what these tractors cost that they can't go longer without major work. Construction equipment usually hours up with far less issues. Why I went away from the more conventional manufacturers. Went instead with something that I think is superior with more hours.

There was a thread a couple years ago on the turbo-ed JD E series longevity. Most owners are weakend warriors who put on 50 to 100 hours per year on a FEL tractor. Then there are a few who put on over 500 hours per year. The input from heavy users was that these tractors need a major at about 5,000 hours.

 

[Rydero]

There was a thread a couple years ago on the turbo-ed JD E series longevity. Most owners are weakend warriors who put on 50 to 100 hours per year on a FEL tractor. Then there are a few who put on over 500 hours per year. The input from heavy users was that these tractors need a major at about 5,000 hours.

So no good to start with. Planned obsolescence. Why?

 

[Stocker Steve]

So no good to start with. Planned obsolescence. Why?

$$$

I think relying on high rpm and a turbo to get hp leads to increased wear per hour.
They get hp out of a 3 cylinder instead of using a 4 cylinder.
They get hp out of a 4 cylinder instead of using a 6 cylinder.
They use the same block, but tweak the fuel system, to cover many "different" models.

So manufacturing is simplified, and marketing can easily change models and jump prices every couple years.

 

[Stocker Steve]

The real trick is to start with something good. A good tractor extended warranty is a waste of money. Look at the old 3010's, 20's - 4010's, 20's that still work to this day. I for one think it's unacceptable with what these tractors cost that they can't go longer without major work. Construction equipment usually hours up with far less issues. Why I went away from the more conventional manufacturers. Went instead with something that I think is superior with more hours.

What is superior to JD tractors?

 

[Silver]

What is superior to JD tractors?

I think JD has a few equals, but have always been under the impression that Fendt is the Cadillac of them all. Perhaps I am mistaken, I've never been around them.

 

[jltrent]

You just never know. Neighbour just put $23K into the motor on his fairly new to him (couple of years) 6430 John Deere at about the 5500 hr mark.

Unreal.................. Parts and labor rates keep going up. Tractordata list that tractor at cost of 80k new plus the 23k repair. That is almost $19 cost per hour not counting fuel, oil and other maintenance.

What crops can one farm and overcome that much input cost plus everything else.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/006/7/7/6773-john-deere-6430-premium.html

 

[Silver]

Unreal.................. Parts and labor rates keep going up. Tractordata list that tractor at cost of 80k new plus the 23k repair. That is almost $19 an hour cost per hour not counting fuel, oil and other maintenance.

http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/006/7/7/6773-john-deere-6430-premium.html

Yep, good thing he got a "deal" on it.

 

[jltrent]

Yep, good thing he got a "deal" on it.

For his sake I hope nothing else comes unglued in the next 5000 hrs.