Cosmetic Condition and Resale Value

[davitk]

On a low hour, late model machine, what do bumps and scratches do to the resale value of a tractor? (bucket bent on sides, cutting edge, top lip, numerous scratches followed up by the inevitable rust spots and faded paint all over. Probably never been washed, a little TLC would do wonders.) Assuming everything checks out mechanically.

 

[MikePA]

A bent bucket is not a cosmetic problem. I'd find out how it happened.

 

[Ductape]

The expression " Beaten Like A Rented Mule " comes to mind. There are equipment rental companies around that update their fleet regularly. Their tractors always look like you are describing. Me personally, for the same money, i'd much rather buy a tractor that has twice the hours, but was in great condition with no signs of abuse / neglect.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Perception is often greater than reality. If it looks rough, many people will assume it IS rough. Over the years I've bought and sold dozens of used tractors. I've ran across some real bargains at auctions and private sales because of a dirty, oily tractor with a ripped seat, scratched paint, and little things like broken lights, ect. The fundamentals were in good shape. A few small details and they were back to their full value. That should be an indication to you what "poor cosmetic appearance" does to the sale of a tractor. A few hours of cleaning and a can of touch-up paint can be worth hundreds, even thousands when it's time to drop the gavel.

Then there's "normal" wear and tear on a tractor vs. a few scratches on someones "toy". "abuse and neglect" is relative to the potential buyers vision of what a used tractor is all about.

 

[Builder]

On a low hour, late model machine, what do bumps and scratches do to the resale value of a tractor? (bucket bent on sides, cutting edge, top lip, numerous scratches followed up by the inevitable rust spots and faded paint all over. Probably never been washed, a little TLC would do wonders.) Assuming everything checks out mechanically.

IMO, it indicates a philosophy of ownership. "run hard and put away wet" comes to mind. Tell the seller you think the machine was not properly cared for and offer him less for it.

 

[Soundguy]

As farm has said.. look the tractor over well.. In most cases cosmetic damage does hurt resale, whether the tractor is worn out or strong...

I've also found some real ugly bargains that were able to be fixed up with only a few hundred dolalrs on body work and some weekends sweating.. net result was 1000's$ in savings.. etc.. The same can be true though.. it's just as easy to find a worn out ugly tractor.. and a good looking tractor that is shot due to the way the owner used it.

A 'new' employee can ruin a clutch in about 30 minutes of work if he thinks it can be used as a speed control!

soundguy

 

[bkheur]

Depends on who is trying to sell it. Many times if it is a dealer probably be high dollar.

 

[art]

Every used piece we take in trade is going to be new to someone! So the better it looks, the better it sells anyway you look at it. To have a bent bucket could very well mean abuse. To have a ripped bucket means someone has been ramming something! They can't rip a bucket with out a lot of force.

 

[kbotaman]

It is alot easier to sell a good looking tractor that is high hour and possibly wore out than it is to sell a tractor that is in good mechanical condition, but looks rough.

 

[N80]

One of the reasons I try to keep my tractor looking nice is for resale value. (That's one reason, the other reason is that I like for my tractor to look nice.)

As a first time tractor buyer who did not really know how to assess the real functional condition of a tractor, a rough appearance tended to put me off. Granted, that's a bias based in ignorance but the money of an ignorant buyer is worth the same as a seasoned buyer.

 

[Builder]

I always look for cosmetically clean, low hour tractors because 95% of the time it means the tractor was a barn queen that was never really needed or used for any serious work. The other 5% were owned by the rare individual that really needs the equipment, has time to care for it and was very fortunate to have avoided accidents.

Let's face it, most serious tractor work puts scratches, dents, etc. on tractors, they just need to be in amounts relative to the hours on the tractor..

Ever heard the expression "If ya ain't rubbin', ya ain't racin'?"

 

[Soundguy]

resale? you mean we are suposed to sell them?

Soundguy

 

[N80]

That's a good point. A lot of us plan on dying before we sell a tractor, and in general I'm in that lot. I typically drive a vehicle until it dies or gets KIA'd.

But, when I was buying a tractor I considered it a sort of a luxury. And if times got tough for me (read: socialized healthcare, bad recession, etc etc) I wanted to be able to unload it at a good price.

I still feel the same way about wanting to get my money back, but the tractor seems a little more like a necessity and less like a luxury. so even if trouble hits, it may be a little further down the list of things to sell.

I hope I have it forever. That or a bigger one.

 

[Soundguy]

I kinda hope to have my big one.. the 7610s till I expire.. perhaps restore it in 30ys or so.. when it's a 'classic'..

Soundguy

 

[TC29-dude]

The expression " Beaten Like A Rented Mule " comes to mind. There are equipment rental companies around that update their fleet regularly. Their tractors always look like you are describing. Me personally, for the same money, i'd much rather buy a tractor that has twice the hours, but was in great condition with no signs of abuse / neglect.

To be persnickity...it's "whipped like a rented mule" and "beaten like a red-headed step child" You mixed your metaphors.

 

[canoetrpr]

Interesting discussion.

Cosmetically nice is important to me on a low hour (200-300) hr tractor. I'd rather purchase from a hobbiest like myself who always stores it indoors and takes care of it like he didn't plan to ever resell it.

Tractors that are used primarily for mowing tend to be pretty good looking vs. those that have spent the first few hundred years of life doing solid loader and BH work.

JMHO.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

While cosmetics are a big factor, a bent bucket is not a sign of abuse. Some people actually use them for more than spreading sand. I'll bet half or more of the used machines you look at (with any typical hours) will have a "ding" or three on the bucket. Some buckets are "standard" duty while others or heavy duty with thicker walls.

 

[MikePA]

While cosmetics are a big factor, a bent bucket is not a sign of abuse. Some people actually use them for more than spreading sand. I'll bet half or more of the used machines you look at (with any typical hours) will have a "ding" or three on the bucket. Some buckets are "standard" duty while others or heavy duty with thicker walls.

I don't call a 'bucket bent on sides...' (quoting the OP) a cosmetic issue or just a 'ding'.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Mike,
A bent bucket is just that. A bend here or there is not a terminal thing. Now if the posts that the FEL mounts on are bent, then yes, it will possibly make it difficult to remove the quik mounted bucket or entire FEL. Something easily checked. If the entire FEL is bent then yes, reconsider. Buckets are easily bent when used to pry. When "curling" the bucket trying to pull up a stump or ramming it to move it can cause major bending.

All buckets are not created equal. A bent "heavy duty" model will tell you that its been used hard. A "light" duty can be bent rather easily. This doesn't mean the tractor is junk though. New buckets are around $500 if a bent one annoys you. Use it to get the price lowered a bit maybe.

The forces a backhoe puts on a tractor in certain conditions can be far greater than the FEL. I've seen a few broken in half from backhoe misuse. Be far more exacting when buying a tractor/backhoe. Look at where the rear half bolts to the front half and all points in between. I've seen bent up backhoe linkages on suppossed brand new chinese stuff at those 3 day local (fly by night) sales.

 

[EddieWalker]

Dings and scratches in the paint are pretty meaningless to me. Grease and dirt tells me the story of what's working and what's leaking. Some of it is from good PM, and other times it shows a problem that might be the true reason for the sale.

What scares me more then anything when looking at a used piece of equipment is a new paint job. That sets of several red flags. Why did they put the time and money into painting it? To get a higher price? to hide or cover a known problem? or are they just generous to the point of spending extra cash into making it look pretty?

Eddie