Is there a blue book for tractors?

[2manyhorses]

Looking to trade in our old 1180 for a newer model. It has a FEL with new bucket, new clutch, 4WD, and 2519 hours. One dealer (not Massey) would only offer $4000 for it. That seems really low to me. What do you think?
Joan

 

[JerryG]

Looking to trade in our old 1180 for a newer model. It has a FEL with new bucket, new clutch, 4WD, and 2519 hours. One dealer (not Massey) would only offer $4000 for it. That seems really low to me. What do you think?
Joan

That sounds very low to me also. A Massey dealer will give you more for it or better yet, sell it yourself.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Looking to trade in our old 1180 for a newer model. It has a FEL with new bucket, new clutch, 4WD, and 2519 hours. One dealer (not Massey) would only offer $4000 for it. That seems really low to me. What do you think?
Joan

From what I saw last fall, when I was considering trading in a couple used tractor on a new one, I wouldn't even CONSIDER accepting trade offers that most dealers give. I was offered less than $.50 on the dollar of a REALISTIC resale value. Not saying YOUR tractors is worth double your trade offer, but who knows? It may well be.

There are several "blue books" for Ag tractors. Most of them are more of an auction price guide though. Best chance of getting accurate resale value would be to look at dealer SELLING prices on simular model(s).

If you are dead set on TRADING with a dealer, I'd counter with my offer of what you EXPECT out of your tractor. Just realize they need to resell with some mark-up. They WON'T offer full worth.

 

[flusher]

Looking to trade in our old 1180 for a newer model. It has a FEL with new bucket, new clutch, 4WD, and 2519 hours. One dealer (not Massey) would only offer $4000 for it. That seems really low to me. What do you think?
Joan

To answer your question, you can get a copy of the 2006 "The Official Tractor Blue Book" at amazon.com for about $16. It covers tractors built in the 1939-2005 timeframe.

The average used trade-in value for the 1180 ranges from $6880 for a 1992 model to $9940 for a 1998 model. This is the average wholesale value or loan value of the tractor. Unless the dealer really, really wants to make a sale to you, don't expect to get this average trade-in.

 

[2manyhorses]

Thanks for the info, any guesstimates on how much the FEL w/ new 6' toothed bucket would add?
Joan

 

[knute_m]

Looking to trade in our old 1180 for a newer model. It has a FEL with new bucket, new clutch, 4WD, and 2519 hours. One dealer (not Massey) would only offer $4000 for it. That seems really low to me. What do you think?
Joan

Joan,

I've seen and responded to some of your other posts. I hope I'm not going to be too blunt, but you are being taken advantage of -- big time!

As I mentioned in one of my other posts, I lived in your area for a very long time and I still work in your county. Please don't take this wrong, but knowing many of the local dealers, here is what I see:

New Fauquier County acreage + tractor with bad history + woman = big $$$$

First, if the tractor is running well with the new clutch, don't be in too much of a hurry. If it is running reasonably, think about one of the answers from ROXYNOODLE in one of your other posts -- look at getting a second, but much smaller tractor.

Do you belong to the Virginia Farm Bureau? If you do, see your agent or president. Tell him/her your story. Ask for help. If not a member, think about joining.

Are you and/or your husband members of a local Ruritan club? If not, find one and get yourself asked to join. There are about nine clubs in the county. Tell a few members your story, and you'll get the kind of help you need. You won't find better people in the county and it is a great community service organization to be part of.

I think you mentioned that you've got kids. Are they members of 4-H or FFA? School just started. Get them signed up. Make friends with some of the parents and leaders.

Are you a member of the Fauquier Fair Board? If so, see some of the board members. They are the movers and shakers in the agricultural sector of the county. They will help you. Many are Farm Bureau members, many are Ruritans, they are 4-H and FFA leaders, and they are just good people to know.

I'm not sure when the Warrenton Bethel UMC chicken roast is, but if it is this weekend, get over there. Members of every group I mentioned will be working the chicken roast.

I hope you won't find this an offensive sexist remark, but find a friend with manure on his boots and tobacco drooling out his cheek. Take his truck. Go down to Culpeper. Go down to Orange and Madison. Come out to WV. Go up to Western MD and Southern PA. Talk to the dealers. They will give you much better answers than you are getting now locally.

Keep posting here, and you'll get lots of good advice. Just don't get in too much of a hurry. And if those weeds are still neck high, I'm sure there is a neighbor who can trim them. Plus, it is too wet to brushhog thanks to Ernesto.

If you can't get more than $4000 for that tractor, I'll gladly come get it for that price, and I won't even charge you to haul it away.

Good Luck,
Knute

 

[2manyhorses]

No offense taken at all, appreciate your honesty!
It is a problem I've seen before and guess I've just let my guard down as I've gotten older and lived here so long ('86). We've only had the farm since 2000 and bought our first tractor on the advice of the farm manager for the neighboring farm. He is a very mechanically knowlegable and likeable fellow, but we have learned over the years that he has no concept of money as our neighbor (his employer) is quite wealthy and buys whatever toys appeal to him. Either T. thinks we have that kind of money too, or he is just not in touch with the financial end of things!
All I learned from growing up on a farm is how to run the machinery and very basic maintenance. Although I'm very independent in my financial dealings (land, autos, etc.) tractors and ag machinery seem to be a totally foreign field and still greatly dominated by men. I will go to the farm bureau (we are members) and speak with them. The local extension agent is also a friend and will speak with him as well. Your advice is well taken and greatly appreciated.
As far as the MF, I just don't really understand it. I could not get the clutch to engage at all. Tried pressing hard, tried pressing softly, all the way down at once, down in stages...nothing. My husband tried and on the third try got it. For the last 2-3 yrs., the clutch has been very temperamental, but I thought that would have been fixed by installing a new one! Really think that one is a piece of junk and want something I can rely on.
BTW, would never take the $4000 for the MF (sorry to disappoint!) actually laughed when the NH dealer gave me that figure. I may be new to the tractor game, but I'm not stupid!
Many thanks to you and all the members of this board who've been so patient and informative. I'll keep asking and learning!
Joan