Buyers Market?

[redlevel]

Is it a buyers market in the new/used ag tractor market? Specifically 40-50 hp. I am asking in the context of the generally lousy state of the economy. How has it affected the tractor market? I used to be very aware of what tractors were bringing, who had the best deals, etc, but for the last four or five years, I have sort of been out of the loop. Now, I might be considering a new or used purchase.

I posted in the Farmtrac forum about my 535 swallowing a valve. I have thought for some time that I need a bigger tractor. I have about decided to get the FT repaired, swallow my losses and get what I can out of it, and buy something in the 45-50 hp range. I like to buy used, and would lean strongly toward a NH product, specifically a 3930. Kubota has a good finance deal on new tractors (they have extended the 0% to the end of the year) but their tractors are definitely not aimed as truly at the ag market as some others are. None of the M4700 or M5100 tractors, their so-called ag-utility line, have draft control as standard equipment. I submit that one should be able to pull a bottom plow with an ag utility tractor, and that's hard to do without draft control.

Anyhow, I am wondering if, when I look at a used tractor on the lot and offer 10%-15% under asking price, am I going to be met with a stony stare and possibly be escorted off the lot. Are used tractors moving at all now? What about the asking prices posted in the on-line sales sites? They seem to be all over the place. How realistic are they? There was a time when this season of the year was a good one for tractor dealers. Farmers had a little cash after paying expenses, maybe needed a quick tax write-down, and were in a tractor-buying mood. Did that myself a few times. Them wuz the good old days, and I really don't know much about the market now.

Somebody clue me in. Am I going to find any bargains out there in the used 40-50hp ag utility market?

 

[hydro2]

Everything I priced used was not that much cheaper than new. I went new after looking at junk and if it was nice. It was pricey.

 

[creekbend]

My only advice is when you find a model that you want or have interest in, make an offer. The seller can only say "yes" or "no". Just keep searching and making offers. Sooner or later, you most likely will find a good deal on the tractor of your choice. Hope this helps. Good Luck.:tractor:

 

[cowski]

some asking prices are firm but a lot are not.make a cash offer .the answer is either yes or no.i have always been happy to get a offer even if i could not take it.one thing to remember once you make an offer you can only raise it so make the first one a little lower than its worth where you can split the difference .

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If you're looking at a dealer, don't expect any real bargains on a 40 to 50hp tractor this time of the year. You'll just be disappointed. Surprisingly enough, this is a bad time of the year to be shopping for tractors in that size range. Farmers and property owners are looking for "bush hog tractors" to clean up weeds before winter. May sound odd....but it's true. I've been on a bit of a buying spree here of late. Bought 4 tractors in that size range in the past week. I'll call around to dealers to get a comparable price on what I'me looking at. NONE of them have anything in stock except for junk. And the junk is selling @ premium prices. In all 4 instances, I've found decent deals with private sales. That's where you'll find any bargains IMHO.

In the past week, I've found two low hour, clean 3600 Fords, a VERY nice 4000 Ford, and the nicest used tractor I've ever seen in a 484 International. $4000/$4500 price range on all 4. Dealers are asking $5500 to $6500 on rough 3600's. I looked at a couple 4000's priced over $8000 that were nowhere near as clean and nice as the one I bought, and the closest thing to the 484 I could find was well over $7000. Buys are out there, just be prepared to hunt for them. I spent hours on end on Craigslist, Fastline, Tractorhouse, and a couple other websites, not to mention hours and hours on the phone searching, then several days of driving to find what I found.....In the end, I've found 4 quality tractors with total money below what I'd expect to pay for ONE new tractor in the same hp class. And I'd match 'em against any new tractor for performance and reliability.

But not without a LOT of effort.....

 

[DAY]

IS there a "tractor buying season? In the Springtime a young man's fancy turns to girls, and an old fart's turns to a shiny new tractor. And the dealers know this.
Farmingwithjunk says this time of year "everybody" is looking for a bush hogging machine, but I suspect he is talking about used equipment.

I have been checking machines and prices for some time now, and haven't found the key to the "Time to Buy". The only thing I have learned is that new@zero interest for 5 years is tough to beat by paying cash for used. A local craig's list has a 2320 for $16,400, with a mower, FEL and bush hog, 120 hours. The JD site lists the machine by itself at $13,400. And they all have "deals" that include an FEL, etc.
So, what is the best time to go shopping? Anytime?:thumbsup: Never?:

 

[bigbull338]

as ive said on here meny times i bought my new MX5100 HST 4x4 w/LA844 quick tatch loader as a joke.went with a friend to price new disc cutters,an while we was gone i bought a tractor.i told him on the way home im gonna call an take that tractor,he lols an says no way.so i call the next morning an buy it.an i offer them a cash price $2000 off their asking price an they say yes.so yes cash is king when it comes to buying tractors anytime of year.as for kubota specials they never really expire as they always renew them.

 

[RickS]

I purchased a JD 5055e last Friday. When I went to the dealer to work the deal they had just sold a 5045e the day before. JD has a 5 years @ 0% interest plus $750 off if you buy two implements right now. I could not pass that up. Apparently others could not pass it up either.

BTW, the 5045/55/65/75e series has draft control. Check them out.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

the used tractor market has not gone soft with the economey, if anything, Tier 4 is going to push prices of new much higher and I expect to see used follow.

 

[eagle107]

the used tractor market has not gone soft with the economey, if anything, Tier 4 is going to push prices of new much higher and I expect to see used follow.

When does Tier 4 hit the > 100HP tractors or has it already? What type of system will these tractors use? Is it only CEGR/EGR or will there be any SCR units? Any idea how much the EGR filter or SCR DEF will cost?

 

[Dr_Zinj]

You mean the Tier 4 emissions standards, or something else?

 

[eagle107]

Yes, the Tier 4 emissions standards.

 

[CT Griz]

Redlevel,
I was in the exact same position as you looking for a 40-50hp tractor. I am not attached to any color paint like green, blue, or orange so I figured I would look at all of them. I spent 6 months looking at POS used tractors, and started to get frustrated, so I decided to go new. Long story short is that based on my needs and the amount I wanted to spend I decided on a NH Boomer 50, and then a buddy said I should just buy from LS tractor directly and save some cash. Holy S***, what a great piece of advice that was!!! Turns out that the Boomer 50 and LS 4047 are near twins except for a few cosmetics... And as a bonus the LS comes with 2 remotes and a universal mounting bracket on the FEL. The NH dealer near me has a free loader program going on if you don't use 0% interest, but even with that it was almost $5,000 more than the LS.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents on my journey, based on my needs and bank roll.

 

[sweep]

the used tractor market has not gone soft with the economey, if anything, Tier 4 is going to push prices of new much higher and I expect to see used follow.

One of my clients has a used tractor business and has had record sales the last 2-3 years. The bad economy has been very good for him.

 

[sweep]

Want ads are great places to get a tractor.

A friend put a want ad on CL and got a nice 6 year old Kubota. The owner actually bought a too large tractor for his property and wanted to downsize. My friend gave him more than the dealer was going to give as a trade in and at the same time got the tractor for less than the going price from a dealer. They both made out.

My living high on the hog neighbor is in tough financial shape. A bill collector called MY house looking for him. His wife wants to get rid of the 5 year old NH with FEL he bought during the housing boom so I expect someone is going to get a good deal.

So I bet there are many guys out there wanting to get out from under their tractor especially hobby farmers.

 

[viceprincipal]

IS there a "tractor buying season? In the Springtime a young man's fancy turns to girls, and an old fart's turns to a shiny new tractor. And the dealers know this.
Farmingwithjunk says this time of year "everybody" is looking for a bush hogging machine, but I suspect he is talking about used equipment.

I have been checking machines and prices for some time now, and haven't found the key to the "Time to Buy". The only thing I have learned is that new@zero interest for 5 years is tough to beat by paying cash for used. A local craig's list has a 2320 for $16,400, with a mower, FEL and bush hog, 120 hours. The JD site lists the machine by itself at $13,400. And they all have "deals" that include an FEL, etc.
So, what is the best time to go shopping? Anytime?:thumbsup: Never?:

When I got my acreage this summer, I was planning on finding a used sub-compact, but the 5 year 0% interest was too tempting on new. Could spread the payments out instead of putting the big hit on the savings, since used is only a few thousand less than new.

 

[brin]

I watch for deals all the time on used tractors ..no deals in the last year of so...not in our farmers bulletin classifieds or on craig's list...all dried up..

 

[CT Griz]

I am new to TractorByNet, so I don't want to post a link unless it's okay. That said, I am in CT and worked with a great outfit in TX to get my tractor (shipping was less than the tax would have been here). It may be a good fit for some of the folks looking for what I believe is a great deal.

Is it okay to post thier link to the tractor sale they have going on?

 

[DAY]

Be aware that the TX dealer MAY tell CT about the sale. There was a thread a few months back, on the topic. I believe CT was well represented. . .

 

[Dr_Zinj]

CT Griz, don't sweat the post-age too much.

Use the Search function before blurting out a question if you're risk adverse to egg on the face. If you can't find it easily in 3 to 5 threads, pick the right forum and ask away.

Me, I'm so used to foot in mouth disease I must have a liking to the taste of old dirty boot leather. I draw the line at rubber wellies after walking through the pig pen though.

I don't know how much of a buyers market it is for new at the moment. I'm not getting a lot of budging on the price of a CT230, FEL, 7'BH w/thumb, and filled tires of about $29K.