Price Check Massey Ferguson 1529 - Price Check

[CampyVA]

Hi All,

Looking to purchase my first tractor soon. I've got my eye on a 2013 Massey Ferguson 1529 shuttle shift with 300 hours. It has a quick attach bucket and is advertised as being in "excellent condition". Private seller is asking $13k. Is this a good price?

Thanks!

 

[djefferis]

Quick scan of listings of similar over at tractorhouse.com shows listings from 11k-15k for similar units. Higher prices have lower hours on the meter.

Myself - I think the price is a fair "opening" price - if the unit is indeed in excellent condition and has provenance of all service being performed. To be excellent - a tractor should exhibit no signs of abuse, no signs of leaking and a good service history. Pricing can be very sensitive to region/timing - but I think a fair meeting point would be closer to the 11-11500 point.

If a dealer is asking 14k on a similar unit - keep in mind he expects a carrying cost - that unit may set on the lot for a year (or more) and he expects offers as well as to be prepared to service any issues that arise while a unit sits (or potentially immediately after delivery - not good for business selling a used unit and it breaking down the next day). None of that applies to an individual.

If they don't have good service records and you feel like taking a chance - offer 10k, just point out a few of the similar listings for both this model elsewhere and similarly sized units locally (keeping in mind Kubota/Deere will attracts a premium). New equipment is pricey - but it comes with advantages as well (promo financing from the maker) - don't own one myself - but looking at specs nothing pops that this shouldn't be a reliable unit. Obviously if there are signs of heavy use/use beyond what you'd expect for a mid size compact - either pass or be prepared for possible hefty repair bill and make your offer accordingly. Sellers know clean/late model used is scarce and new is going up every year - that does not however mean that its impossible to find priced fairly - and the higher you go up the pricing chain - the more options you have. Check around and keep in mind - sometimes its cheaper to buy and ship in new than trying to find a good used local.

 

[CampyVA]

Wow! Thanks for all the info.
I'm going to look at it tonight, so we'll see how it goes. Unfortunately, I'm not a seasoned negotiator, so there's that. I guess I could always walk away, and do my negotiating over text. It's priced on the high side, and has been listed for a few weeks, so I don't think it's going anywhere.

I'm also still debating if this tractor is big enough for my needs, but I could go on and on with that forever. The same goes for the shuttle vs. hydro argument. :mur:

 

[djefferis]

Good luck - the "negotiator" factor to me is a non factor in private party sales. Negotiations take 2 - and in this case the other side is not a professional who makes their living selling these for a living - so its a wash - neither of you have "professional" negotiation skills. To me its good and bad - yes, they are no more skilled than you...of course some people lack common sense negotiations too when selling and dont know how to recognize a fair offer....they see dealer x offering product at say 15k - they of course ignore dealers y and z who list something similar for 12k because "those are probably junk" - and offer their product for 13k - justifying it is a "good deal" at that price...like I said originally, private vs dealer is a major cost of selling difference - and sometimes people just dont factor that in or take a load of tire kickers calling as a sure sign "this is really hot and a cash buyer is just around the corner" - sometimes it takes months for them to come to their senses.

Does it meet needs - depends on what your doing. More specifics about what you hope to use it for and I am sure wiser minds will weigh in - but spec wise it should be a good general purpose unit. If you dont have anything now - its probably going to be fine. I would not expect this unit to be sufficient to run a moderate size farming operation - but for a hobbyist/enthusiast looking for around the house work or maintaining acreage - its probably there.

Finally the shuttle/hydro - read up and know your needs. Personally, I think shuttle is going to be the preferred here - espc if you will be using the FEL. Theres alot of detractors to a full hydro trans - and if you use your equipment many hours and tend to keep it long term (over 10-15 years from new) I would agree the complaints are justified. On smaller equipment - older or newbie operators who prefer the simplicity, hydro has its advantages - but overall I'd venture 70/30 of split of buyers would lean towards shuttle if given the choice between the 2. To each their own - again, my personal vantage point is no matter which I prefer - your needs may be different and whatever I say may not be right FOR YOU. Reliability - anytime you deal with electrical you something - but hydro has been out for years and is still far from perfect - so to me its a wash.

 

[CampyVA]

Didn't end up seeing the tractor yesterday. The timing didn't work out on the seller's end. Will try again next week.

In terms of my needs, we have a 19 acre property consisting of about 9 acres of pasture, 8 acres of woods, and 2 acres of lawn. The property is moderately hilly, with the steepest slopes being wooded. We currently free-lease the pastures out to a local hobby farmer, who keeps between 4 and 8 cattle on the property depending on the season. He mows the pasture one or two times a year, but I would really like to be able to do it more often myself to keep the weeds down, and keep it looking nice. I assume I'd be running a 5' brush cutter with the 1529, or any tractor in this HP range.

The property has been somewhat neglected for many years by the previous owners, so there are several fallen trees, overgrown fence-lines, and blackberry patches in the pastures that need to be dealt with. All the fencing is in need of replacing, but I don't know if I will do that myself or pay a pro to do it. We also have a 1,000' private gravel road that is badly in need of some rehab, then regular maintenance after that. I currently use an ATV to plow the road, but I'd like the tractor to serve as a backup for when we get over a foot of snow or big drifts, which around here only happens once or twice a year at most. I have a residential zero-turn for the lawn.

My most pressing needs are the road repair work (5' box scraper), mowing and pasture rehab (5' bush-hog), and hauling brush and making burn piles. I'd love a grapple for that, but will probably have to settle for something like clamp-on debris forks for now.

You think a ~30 HP tractor will work for me, or should I save up for something bigger?

Thanks

 

[mackdaddy72]

Looks to me you're getting a great deal!

 

[djefferis]

Personally feel that range of HP should serve you fine - easily would cover mowing - and plowing/blade should be no issue. ATV is fine for clearing light snow - but once it starts to accumulate - I'd want something substantial behind the plow.

As to fencing - not sure exactly what a "pro" would charge - I'm facing a similar situation here in Ohio - but I have an idea that it would be ALOT cheaper to DYI. From memory one of the locals here was around $3.50 a foot to install 4 strands of barbed wire - again, could be wrong on price if that sounds off...but thats what I remember.

Now for someone looking to run 10 head of cattle (would think that would be max you could handle on 9 acres of pasture - rule of thumb I recall was cow per acre) - paying a fence installer, buying cattle in spring and selling in fall its not likely you will get rich quickly - but it is a nice diversion and if you enjoy it - go for it.