Buying Advice Prices seem up for both new and used...

[ultrarunner]

A relative is getting ready to do site work and looking for a tractor.

I have not bought anything modern in some time.

Looking around it seems asking prices for some old Kubota tractors are close to what they cost new.

Even price checking the D3 dozer I sold indicate it has appreciated nicely over the last 5 years.

Craiglist 200 mile search has not helped... lots more big iron than anything else.

I'm thinking a L series would be ideal... L35 or L39 better or even a B26...

I have not used my Deere 110 much the last few years but am always being asked to sell...

My BX23 out the door was under 15k and I am seeing these 15 year old BX with asking prices of 12 to 13k...

Aside from Craigslist... any other avenues to check here in California?

I'm guessing anything new comes with Regen and software???

Emailed my Dealer and got an auto reply closed through Thanksgiving... hard working guy with little family time so can't blame him.

 

[rademamj]

Its amazing the resale value of used tractors these days. Here in Texas, many five year old tractors sell at 85% of their new purchase cost. And don't even think about rentals on tractors or skid steers....daily rental rates will shock you. A farmer nearby here, was selling a rusted out rotary cutter, with broken wheels and the metal deck showing a 5 inch split for $900. I thought it was ready for scrap yard.

Recommend if possible, just purchase new equipment. Take good care of the equipment, and you will receive excellent price at resale time. Also recommend that what ever tractor size you think is best for your property, move up to the next larger tractor size. Its incredible, the number of tractor owners I talked to, that wished they had bought a larger tractor for their work.

All tractors 25hp and more, come with the federally mandated tier-4 regen emission system. Not a problem, just be aware of the procedures....as most tractors will automatically regen, while your working.

Get a quick hitch to reduce time and improve overall safety of your tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm trying to pin them down... as to their plans after construction... property is 4+ acres and they own two horses... and not level... I'm thinking they will not have much use for a large tractor once done?

Also, maybe it is just me... but I really would not want to own anything with complicated emission controls???

 

[ericm979]

Not all tier IV over 25 hp engines need to do regens. Branson and Mahindra don't. Most of the ones that do regens have worked the bugs out. Not having to breathe soot and diesel stink is nice. Especially if it will be operated inside a barn or other horse building.

When I was shopping 1.5 years ago I found the same thing in the greater SF bay area and south bay: few used tractors and high prices. It's why I ended up with a new tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

VIDEO ON TRACTOR PRICING: HOW HIGH WILL PRICES CLIMB? - TMT - YouTube

 

[jeff9366]

I would not want to own anything with complicated emission controls.

You and your relatives will be better served if you refer them to this site and they state their desire directly.

This site excels at helping tractor neophytes select first tractors.

You only muddle communication in the middle.

 

[finn1]

I sold my skid steer last year. Got exactly what I paid for it (used) ten years earlier.

I’m contemplating buying a CTL. The Deere CTL, and I think most other Deere equipment, had a 7% price increase a couple of weeks ago.

Kioti went up earlier this year.

 

[TractorGuy]

Saw a demo fifty hour 4066 cab advertised for $38,900 on CL by local dealer. Didn't even have a loader at that price. Talk about a green tax.

 

[ultrarunner]

You and your relatives will be better served if you refer them to this site and they state their desire directly.

This site excels at helping tractor neophytes select first tractors.

You only muddle communication in the middle.

They would be delighted with the same same deal I found for my brother.

A one year old 80 hour Harvest Return L3800 with remaining warranty, quick attach for loader, R4 tires, box blade with top and tilt, Landpride Post Hole digger and pallet forks and Kubota Backhoe... delivered with Tax for 24k

 

[ultrarunner]

Not all tier IV over 25 hp engines need to do regens. Branson and Mahindra don't. Most of the ones that do regens have worked the bugs out. Not having to breathe soot and diesel stink is nice. Especially if it will be operated inside a barn or other horse building.

When I was shopping 1.5 years ago I found the same thing in the greater SF bay area and south bay: few used tractors and high prices. It's why I ended up with a new tractor.

Yep... the supply here is next to nil in many cases... lucked out with the L3800 Harvest Return with 80 hours... it was classified as a Demo since it had never been sold... I did buy the BX23 new and very happy with it... money well spent.

The prospective buyers are in Paso Robles... they had a lead on a tractor near me and it turned out to be a very worn out 15 year old machine for 23k... and no backhoe.

I'm no tractor expert... spent most of my life restoring antique cars... that said I have bought 13 tractors and not a bad one in the bunch... still miss my Cat Dozer... just ran out of things to do with it.

On a separate note... I am a little concerned as their hilltop parcel is not level... just last year I was onsite as an operator was crushed and killed doing weed suppression work when his tractor rolled... and this was an experienced operator using his own equipment for hire with no ROPS...

Something about a tractor needing software updates rubs me the wrong way... the market is small compared to automotive and my friends with new GM and Ford Diesel Trucks have had lots of issues... like limp home towing a loaded trailer on the SF Bay Bridge or 300 miles from home on the I-5... always under warranty and repaired... the experiences led all of them to trade/sell before the warranty was up...

Maybe I shouldn't equate diesel vehicles with tractors...

 

[Geotech]

I see high asking prices for used Kubotas on Craigslist. I also see many of these same listings for months and months. Asking price and getting price are not necessarily the same thing.

 

[fried1765]

"...I would not want to own anything with complicated emission controls ???"

DITTO...and DOUBLE DITTO !!!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

It's not just California with high prices on used equipment. Prices on used around here are stupid high. Unless it is completely thrashed, or an antique "toy" more for parades than work. Main reason I bought new. I'm not paying 20-22K for a 5 year old used tractor when I can pay 24K for a new one with a warranty. And yeah, they sit for months for sale here too, seller not budging on price. Yeah sure buddy, you can keep it then.

 

[prof fate]

prices can very WIDELY based on time of year - and often with no logic.

Last spring I borrowed a friend's rear tine tiller - LOVED IT - wanted one..saw MANY for under $200. Cheap, I thought. But was busy with other things (like a new tractor and implements). Come fal ltime to turn the garden under and suddenly NOTHING is under $450...wtf?

Rear finish mowers? the exact opposite - I can find half a dozen under $600 now.

 

[DK35vince]

Rear finish mowers? the exact opposite - I can find half a dozen under $600 now.

Must also depend on area.
Rear tillers and rear finish mowers seem to go high here (50% of new or higher, unless completely junk) that I ever see.

 

[Jchonline]

I am guessing a loan of your JD 110TLB to the relative is not something you want to do It seems like the perfect machine!

 

[ultrarunner]

You would guess right... plus it is nearly 4 hours away... plus he has zero seat time on anything including a riding mower...

One of the first words his daughter spoke as an infant is "Backhoe"... they were visiting about 8 years ago and she was enamored… by the time they left she added Kubota and Deere.

 

[rademamj]

That really is a special tractor deal that you recieved. Everyone should be happy with both price and equipment.

 

[rScotty]

A relative is getting ready to do site work and looking for a tractor.

I have not bought anything modern in some time.

Looking around it seems asking prices for some old Kubota tractors are close to what they cost new.

Even price checking the D3 dozer I sold indicate it has appreciated nicely over the last 5 years.

Craiglist 200 mile search has not helped... lots more big iron than anything else.

I'm thinking a L series would be ideal... L35 or L39 better or even a B26...

I have not used my Deere 110 much the last few years but am always being asked to sell...

My BX23 out the door was under 15k and I am seeing these 15 year old BX with asking prices of 12 to 13k...

Aside from Craigslist... any other avenues to check here in California?

I'm guessing anything new comes with Regen and software???

Emailed my Dealer and got an auto reply closed through Thanksgiving... hard working guy with little family time so can't blame him.

I have to say that the pricing you are seeing in California is much the same as what we have here. In the under 60 hp range, recent machines since year 2000 often go for approximently what they cost new, and older used machines in good condition can easily go for quite a bit more than they cost new.

There's nothing wrong with our own fleet of old tractors, but they certainly don't look new. They look OK, but you can tell they've worked for a living. Yet in the past few years I've had complete strangers stop by to offer me original prices on several pieces of equipment.

I think the reason we are seeing old machines at high prices is partly because of new tractor price inflation, and partly because people are beginning to realize that the older machines were built with an emphasis on reliability & longevity that may be less true of new ones. Perhaps the older machines are equal in spite of their age.

I actually prefer the simplicity of older machines - but only the ones that have most modern features. But that's a bias I have because of being from an older generation where mechanical skills were commonplace. The things that make older machines more valuable to me aren't the same that make them valuable to my younger neighbors.

BTW, I sure like those JD110TLBs like yours. That model popularized midsize TLBs for homeowner use. You might want to consider selling then yours. As I see it, a relative with an infant daughter who speaks "backhoe" as a first word is both precious and valueable....perhaps even even priceless.... consider just giving her the TLB and enjoying the fun?
rScotty

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I just sold my B2320 with fel after two years of owning it, and 110 hours for $100 less than I paid for it. Of course I lost a few hundred in taxes as well, but still pretty good I thought.