Farmtrac 435

[fortyseven2n]

I have a chance to buy a 2004 Farmtrac 435 with 88 hrs + finish mower for around $ 7000 or maybe a little less.

I have not seen the tractor in person but it looks very clean and dry ( no oil leaks ) in any of the pics.

Is this a good deal and a good tractor ?

The only thing I don't really like is that it lacks power steering.

Does anyone make a kit to add on ?

I don't know a lot about Farmtracs other than the future of the company is still in question.

I am concerned about filters, spare parts etc..

Please let me know.

Thanks !!!!

 

[redlevel]

I think you should hold out for a 535 with the ps.

That 435 is probably "worth" the $7000 as far as doing what you expect that kind of tractor to do. There is a question, though, about what these tractors will actually sell for in the future. I could have bought a brand-new-in-the-box 435 for $9500 two years ago. I don't think $2500 is enough of a discount now. There is going to be a "fire-sale" at some time in the pretty near future on these units. If you have been following the long thread, you know that there are hundreds (thousands?) of FTs on lots across the country. My dealer has 32, I think. Paint is fading, batteries are going dead, tires are cracking, the vinyl seat covers are cracking, etc., and frankly, right now, I don't think they are "worth" what a pretty good used "brand name" tractor with equal horsepower, four or five years old, with maybe 1000 hours is worth.

I have a 535, and it is a fine little tractor. When I bought it I didn't expect it to have a whole lot of resale value. I expected it to have a little better than it does now, though. I believe the culmination of the whole FT deal is going to be a series of public auctions that will result in the tractors currently on dealer's lots being sold at somewhere around 50%-60% of their former retail. If a deal is worked out with some other company to pick up the line, I don't think the units on the yards now will sell for any more than 75% of their former retail. Realistically, what other manufacturer would want to pick up the Studebaker line now?

I would like to trade up to a 545 or 555 because I really need a little more hp. I'm waiting for the fire sale.

 

[longtrman]

I think you should hold out for a 535 with the ps.

That 435 is probably "worth" the $7000 as far as doing what you expect that kind of tractor to do. There is a question, though, about what these tractors will actually sell for in the future. I could have bought a brand-new-in-the-box 435 for $9500 two years ago. I don't think $2500 is enough of a discount now. There is going to be a "fire-sale" at some time in the pretty near future on these units. If you have been following the long thread, you know that there are hundreds (thousands?) of FTs on lots across the country. My dealer has 32, I think. Paint is fading, batteries are going dead, tires are cracking, the vinyl seat covers are cracking, etc., and frankly, right now, I don't think they are "worth" what a pretty good used "brand name" tractor with equal horsepower, four or five years old, with maybe 1000 hours is worth.

I have a 535, and it is a fine little tractor. When I bought it I didn't expect it to have a whole lot of resale value. I expected it to have a little better than it does now, though. I believe the culmination of the whole FT deal is going to be a series of public auctions that will result in the tractors currently on dealer's lots being sold at somewhere around 50%-60% of their former retail. If a deal is worked out with some other company to pick up the line, I don't think the units on the yards now will sell for any more than 75% of their former retail. Realistically, what other manufacturer would want to pick up the Studebaker line now?

I would like to trade up to a 545 or 555 because I really need a little more hp. I'm waiting for the fire sale.

I could be wrong but the last time I heard Studebaker was still a viable car manufacturer in Canada. If we can get the parts supply question ironed out I really don't forsee tractors priced that low. If we do see them that low Textron will own them all and export them. Another scenario might be the U.S. government buying them to give away to the poor farmers in the developing world. Just think what they would save over buying Indian made J.D. or Indian made CNH tractors!

 

[DonWorrell]

I could be wrong but the last time I heard Studebaker was still a viable car manufacturer in Canada. If we can get the parts supply question ironed out I really don't forsee tractors priced that low. If we do see them that low Textron will own them all and export them. Another scenario might be the U.S. government buying them to give away to the poor farmers in the developing world. Just think what they would save over buying Indian made J.D. or Indian made CNH tractors!

Give them away all day long but when you need a part what happens. A tractor is only as good as its parts source. If I need a clutch and can't find one I have a huge lawn ornament not a working tractor. The only thing that helps Farmtrac outside of a new owner for the company would be a company who bought the molds and manufactured afternarket parts.

I nearly bought a Farmtrac I am so glad I didn't heve the money at the time.

Don

 

[SESS]

Escort (Indians) owns the casting rights for all the old ford style tractors. Escort is the problem with parts at this time. Not wanting to sell to US. Talks are underway to come to an agreement with them to start selling parts again but that is a very slow process with much patience required, but heck you can't put a gun to someones head in another country and make them sell you parts. If they don't want to, they kind of got you stuck!

The LS (Koreans) tractors that Farmtrac sells does not have a parts problem, thankfully. Can always get from Montana. LS is a much easy group of people to deal with also!

But your statement is very true-warranty is only good with a parts supply! No parts supply-no warranty needed!

 

[longtrman]

Give them away all day long but when you need a part what happens. A tractor is only as good as its parts source. If I need a clutch and can't find one I have a huge lawn ornament not a working tractor. The only thing that helps Farmtrac outside of a new owner for the company would be a company who bought the molds and manufactured afternarket parts.

I nearly bought a Farmtrac I am so glad I didn't heve the money at the time.

Don

We are working at the parts situation from two directions: 1) We are talking to Escorts through an intermediary about setting up parts supply. It will probably be through one of the large after market parts companies such as A&I, Tisco or Sparex. 2) We are at the same time investigating the possibility of a dealer owned co-op parts supply.
We have heard from the intermediary that Escorts is "finalising a Distributor/Stockist" to provide us parts. (I received the email from him yesterday)
We have a commitment from Textron to finance the dealer owned co-op if we go that way. The advantage to a dealer owned co-op is we have control.
Currently we are sourcing parts from New Holland as well as the after market companies. This is the most expensive way but is something immediate. Part of the 3600 Ford tractors sold through Ford tractor operations to Ford tractor dealers to American farmers were actually made by Escorts. I don't know how many or which ones but I heard it from a company president in a dealer meeting.

 

[longtrman]

We are working at the parts situation from two directions: 1) We are talking to Escorts through an intermediary about setting up parts supply. It will probably be through one of the large after market parts companies such as A&I, Tisco or Sparex. 2) We are at the same time investigating the possibility of a dealer owned co-op parts supply.
We have heard from the intermediary that Escorts is "finalising a Distributor/Stockist" to provide us parts. (I received the email from him yesterday)
We have a commitment from Textron to finance the dealer owned co-op if we go that way. The advantage to a dealer owned co-op is we have control.
Currently we are sourcing parts from New Holland as well as the after market companies. This is the most expensive way but is something immediate. Part of the 3600 Ford tractors sold through Ford tractor operations to Ford tractor dealers to American farmers were actually made by Escorts. I don't know how many or which ones but I heard it from a company president in a dealer meeting.

I just found out there is a third possibility for the parts supply. The floor plan company Textron Financial is proposing to arrange the parts supply. They are at risk for large amounts of money if there is a fire sale and to cut the losses are proposing to arrange a parts supply. They are able to talk directly to Escorts so this may be the fastest method to get the parts to the dealers. I think if you have been hoping to see your local FARMTRAC dealer go under your hopes may vanish!

 

[redlevel]

I think if you have been hoping to see your local FARMTRAC dealer go under your hopes may vanish!

I certainly do not hope my dealer goes under. I bought tractors from him when he was a Ford/NH dealer, a FT dealer, and will continue to do business with him.

That wasn't the point of my post.

My point, and I stand by it, is that dealers can not expect to sell these units, especially the "5 series" tractors, at anything more than fire sale prices. I might get dog-bit twice, but I guarantee I won't get bit by the same dog twice. If I know a dog bites, he won't bite me the first time. I would love to trade my 535 for a 545, or even keep the 535 and buy a 545 or 555. I think they are great little tractors. I am stuck with an 18 month tractor with no warranty. I am stuck with a high-interest FEL I bought as an add-on on the "better-than-zero" plan. I wouldn't pay a dime more than 60% of what a new 535-45-55 sold for before the catastrophe. I don't think any prospective tractor buyer who has done a little research would, no matter what corporate promises are made.

 

[longtrman]

I certainly do not hope my dealer goes under. I bought tractors from him when he was a Ford/NH dealer, a FT dealer, and will continue to do business with him.

That wasn't the point of my post.

My point, and I stand by it, is that dealers can not expect to sell these units, especially the "5 series" tractors, at anything more than fire sale prices. I might get dog-bit twice, but I guarantee I won't get bit by the same dog twice. If I know a dog bites, he won't bite me the first time. I would love to trade my 535 for a 545, or even keep the 535 and buy a 545 or 555. I think they are great little tractors. I am stuck with an 18 month tractor with no warranty. I am stuck with a high-interest FEL I bought as an add-on on the "better-than-zero" plan. I wouldn't pay a dime more than 60% of what a new 535-45-55 sold for before the catastrophe. I don't think any prospective tractor buyer who has done a little research would, no matter what corporate promises are made.

What would you take for your 535 and not back up?

 

[redlevel]

What would you take for your 535 and not back up?

I would need $7800. minimum for the tractor without the loader, and I don't believe it will bring that under the current circumstances. Do you?

 

[longtrman]

I would need $7800. minimum for the tractor without the loader, and I don't believe it will bring that under the current circumstances. Do you?

Now I think you will understand that what we are trying to do is as much for you and the rest of our customers as it is for us. I hope you will try to help any time you can. Just telling how you feel about the tractor and not worrying about Farmtrac is a start. Farmtrac is history. Being bitter about the things Farmtrac or more correctly Escorts did won't make you feel better and won't improve the situation. The dealers or at least a part of them are trying to get parts flowing again. If we can do that your tractor will not go completely to zero value. Hope you don't feel bad because of anything I've said.
Call your representatives in congress and explain what you went through. It won't gain you personally anything but we are also trying to get laws to try to stop foreign companies from raiding anymore U.S. companies. Ford car company, General motors and Anheuser-Bush are companies that could next be candidates for raiding. We need you all to make the case to congress. You have the story first hand --it happened to you. GM and Ford don't have any amount of money any more but a foreign company could buy them, floor plan a bunch of cars through a third party floor plan company, walk away and leave the U.S. dealers and consumers to pay the bill just like Escorts did.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.