I guess I just don't understand...

[k0ua]

You have to find the right guy. It is a geared tractor. 90% of the guys JUST went out the window. In that size range. Gear drives are great sellers in larger tractors. NOT in that size tractor. ALMOST no one wants it. BUT you wanted it. And there is someone else that wants it dearly. All he can find for sale in that size range are hydro machines. He doesn't want a hydro machine. YOU just have to find him.

 

[Threepoint]

I appreciate the feedback fella's, it's helped me "de-stress" a little.
I'm crossing my fingers on this last dealer I'm working with. He's a lot further from me but gives me major hope.
I really have my sights set on that XR3135 hopefully with that "C"!

OP, if LS tractors are selling new in your area, I don't see why you don't just list it on Craigslist now and see what happens? :confused3: Very easy to do, and you have complete control of your ad. Edit whenever you wish, and renew it every seven days as necessary. It's not going to impair your ability to trade it to a dealer if the opportunity arises. As others have said, be patient, even if it takes two or three months. It's likely that there are folks in your neck of the woods who are willing to buy a nice, low-hour gear tractor. You're a testament to that. :thumbsup:

 

[hks003]

You have to find the right guy. It is a geared tractor. 90% of the guys JUST went out the window. In that size range. Gear drives are great sellers in larger tractors. NOT in that size tractor. ALMOST no one wants it. BUT you wanted it. And there is someone else that wants it dearly. All he can find for sale in that size range are hydro machines. He doesn't want a hydro machine. YOU just have to find him.

I was that guy. I looked for a 30-40 Hp for almost 6 months. Checked Craigslist and other sites like it daily. Everything was hydro, and I wanted a shuttle shift to keep those extra 2-5 Hp. Especially if I wound up in the 30 Hp range, because that could mean the difference between a 5 ft bush hog and a 6 ft bush hog. Finally found one from a guy wanting to go to a bigger framed tractor for skidding logs. Got my 2014 G3038 with 142 hours for $12.5k. Most I saw that age, 4wd and loader like that were $15k+ with 300+ hours.
So just hold out, someone that wants to squeeze every bit of Hp out of that tractor will come along!

 

[4570Man]

I was that guy. I looked for a 30-40 Hp for almost 6 months. Checked Craigslist and other sites like it daily. Everything was hydro, and I wanted a shuttle shift to keep those extra 2-5 Hp. Especially if I wound up in the 30 Hp range, because that could mean the difference between a 5 ft bush hog and a 6 ft bush hog. Finally found one from a guy wanting to go to a bigger framed tractor for skidding logs. Got my 2014 G3038 with 142 hours for $12.5k. Most I saw that age, 4wd and loader like that were $15k+ with 300+ hours.
So just hold out, someone that wants to squeeze every bit of Hp out of that tractor will come along!

Why not just get a 5 hp bigger tractor?

 

[hks003]

Why not just get a 5 hp bigger tractor?

Because then I'd still want the power I was losing to the hydro. Something about me just didn't like a 35 Hp actually being 25 at the PTO or a 40 Hp with 30 at the PTO. My 38 Hp has 32 at the PTO, and that's bad enough. You see 38 Hp and think alright, 7 ft bush hog if I wanted to, but 32 drops you back down to a 6 ft (if you follow the 5 hp/ft rule). Just a preference. I like maximum value for my money, and I value power over slightly less effort operations. If one values easier operation over power, there's nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Beeenvenue]

I was that guy. I looked for a 30-40 Hp for almost 6 months. Checked Craigslist and other sites like it daily. Everything was hydro, and I wanted a shuttle shift to keep those extra 2-5 Hp. Especially if I wound up in the 30 Hp range, because that could mean the difference between a 5 ft bush hog and a 6 ft bush hog. Finally found one from a guy wanting to go to a bigger framed tractor for skidding logs. Got my 2014 G3038 with 142 hours for $12.5k. Most I saw that age, 4wd and loader like that were $15k+ with 300+ hours.
So just hold out, someone that wants to squeeze every bit of Hp out of that tractor will come along!

I was the opposite; I wanted a hydro as I have (had) never driven a tractor before. I looked for quite a while across Texas and could not really find a decent deal. In the end why would I buy a used $15k machine when for $18k I can get it brand new, with warranty, dealer relationship, and a knowledge that it had not 澱een through a little rain (completely flooded during Harvey) or some other gross mistreatment?

I know tractors are supposed to hold their value but look at it from the buyer痴 perspective; you must provide enough incentive (pricing) to offset not only warranty and known new condition but also the likelihood that there is SOMETHING about yours that the buyer would have picked differently had he had his choice of any brand new machine. Either wait or drop your price.

 

[Cramblit26]

All very good points and I definitely took them at their worth.

So imagine my surprise when not even a full hour after I posted it on Marketplace and CL that i had an agreed upon (fair) selling price for the tractor alone. And yesterday the new owner picked up the little blue tractor.

Once again, thanks to everyone for their perspectives and wisdom. I appreciate all of it, especially being this was my first real time in the tractor selling game.

Now just have to find a buyer for the 48" KK brush hog. Also I think I'm going to call around to a few dealers today too.

 

[RSR]

Congrats!

 

[ovrszd]

A successful sale is when the seller gets the price he wants and the buyer pays the price he wants to pay.

Congrats!!! Post a followup in regards to the replacement tractor.

 

[Threepoint]

Cramblit26, well done! Glad this ragtag group could help.

Of course, you realize that you are now obligated to share pics with us of your new tractor when you get it.