Resale value of PT

[FFC_Fencing]

Is there any resale value on these units? We have two pt-422's that we would like to sell to get larger units. It seems that it will be hard to sell them because so few people know what they are.

We have used them for years and have had real good luck with them. I've been to Tazwell and I was really impressed with the operation.

 

[pajoube]

Until I purchased my new 425 last month I was looking for a used 422 or 425 for over a year to no avail. I have seen a number of threads from others looking for a used unit also. You may want to consider posting on ebay. How many hours?
How old are the units and what attachments?
PJ

 

[yooperdave]

I might be interested in one of your units /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

Send me a private email with all the particulars.

Thanks

Yooper Dave

 

[MossRoad]

Welcome to TBN!

You might want to advertise right here http://classifieds.tractorbynet.com/ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Where abouts are you in Indiana? I'm over near South Bend.

 

[FFC_Fencing]

We are located near Crown Point, IN in the northwest corner of the State. (My Boilers will be taking on the Irish on Sat. so the folk in South Bend will be a bit sadder on Sunday.)

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll get the hours and other info together and post them in the classifieds

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> My Boilers will be taking on the Irish on Sat. so the folk in South Bend will be a bit sadder on Sunday.</font>

You got that right. I love Notre Dame. My father went there. It is a great school. But they have such arrogance sometimes. It's good to see them get put in their place every few years and this is one of those years. Go Purdue!

(My 10 year old has her heart set on going to Purdue to be a vetrinarian /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)

 

[FFC_Fencing]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, but I was actually wondering if anyone has ever sold or traded a PT. Resale value is one of the considerations when buying a tractor. Are we all to simply keep them till we die? It seems that the only place to sell one WOULD be on a forum such as this. That would be the only place where people would know what they are. Right?

 

[MossRoad]

Resale wasn't a concern for me as I am so cockey that I knew my research was accurate and this tractor would be the be-all, end-all for me /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

But seriously, I bought with the intention of keeping it until it is unrepairable. I do the same thing with cars... drive them until they can't be repaired cost efficiently anymore. Resale value was 0% of my decision. Kind of like going into a marriage with no pre-nuptial agreement... I plan on it working, not failing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

That's why the research portion of buying a tractor is so important to me. I took over a year to decide. I'm probably just as amazed at people buying stuff that they plan on selling as you are that someone would not consider the resale value.

As for where would/could you sell something like this, well, here at TBN is a great place, but there are also local sales in newspapers, there are trader publications and don't forget good old E-Bay.

 

[djsch]

Moss,

I'm a "newbie" in this group and I am considering the purchase of a PT425. The question I have is "Define unrepairable..." I have a 24 year old BOLENS HT 23 (23 HP twin Kohler - 2 speed hydro -etc.). Its been a GREAT rig but last Sunday I blew the engine - tossed a rod and scored the crank. This is not the fist time its been rebuilt but this time it needs a new crank.

Bottom line is that it will cost about $1,200 to rebuild plus hours of my labor or $1,950 to install a short block (plus my labor). So, on a 24 year old tractor (that has who knows how many hours) is it worth fixing or can (should?) it be declared "unrepairable"?

For $2,000 I can have my old tractor back and who knows what will break next ... Or for $14,000 I can have a PT425 equipped the same way. I am also looking at the JD2210 but its around $17K for an equivalent setup (Snowblower,FEL,Mower,Tiller).

Do you, Moss, (or anyone) have any insite on this predicament?

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

The solution is easy: Buy the Power Trac, and fix the Bohlens to have something to let other people use, so you don't have to lend them your PT. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Since I got my PT, it has had no significant down time, but it's less than two years and only 200 hours. And the Jacobsen 6' front mower and Kubota B7100 that it replaced are still around - and both need work, but nothing as major as a crank. Sometimes, however, I'm glad I kept them, as one or the other gets some use and I don't have to let anyone else use the PT. (I'm the selfish type. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

 

[dbetts]

I've had it one week and just hit 16 hours on my PT 425. I always have buyer's remorse when I make a new purchase...until now. This machine is a truly good value! The stability on a hill and traction and maneuverability are incredible! It has exceeded my expectations in every way. I'm doing alot of dirt work right now, and while I can understand a desire for more power , it will certainly do most tasks around a very demanding yard. I will fix my Toro 520-H and keep it, as it is always nice to have two tractors, but I would not buy anything but a power trac. It does not disappoint. db

 

[MossRoad]

Un-repairable is a hard thing to diagnose. Everything is repairable if you want it repaired, but is it practical to you? Only you can answer that question.

That is the dilemma. We had a similar situation several years before we bought our Power Trac. My late 60's Simplicity blew an engine. I opted to replace the engine for a little less than $700.00. This was a 30 year old lawn tractor with a 6HP engine and 26" deck. But at that time, it did everything that I needed to do. Mowed the lawn, had a snowblower, a front blade and a rear weight. It towed the fertilizer spreader, too. I had to put in an 8.5 HP because that was the smallest thing that fit. I weighed the option of putting the $700.00 towards a new lawn tractor. We already had a huge IH tractor/loader for use on our property. We bought it for the express purpose of cutting in a road, taking out some trees and mowing between trees for 5 years, at which time we would get rid of it and get something smaller. We wanted to spend as little money as possible for the biggest thing we could get. We didn't want to put any money into it and we planned on driving it into the ground. So at the time, repairing the Simplicity was the right thing to do for us. Five years later, and I would have scrapped it.

So, I guess you have to decide if the Bolens is worth $2000 to you to repair. If you repair it, will it do everything that you want it to do? Can you put several hundred dollars a year into it and will you be happy with it? Most importantly, is it worth the extra 12 - 15 thousand dollars to you to get a larger tractor and attachments? If you want a larger tractor and attachments, and are willing to spend the money, and you have the means to do it, then I would think spending money on a new tractor and attachments would be better than spending money on the Bolens.

 

[djsch]

Yep, that about sums it up! The Bolens has done the job but will continue to need repairs. And our new house has a steep lower driveway and it would be really nice to have the 4WD to push the snowblower up the hill. (Right now I can only work down the hill.) And it would be nice not to have chains that scratch the concrete! Take the $2K that would fix the old one and apply it to a PT and the cost is reduced "just" $11K. I think I'm rationalizing so I can buy a new toy! (Don't tell the CFO OK?)

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[bmkar]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you, Moss, (or anyone) have any insite on this predicament? )</font>

You bet!!!...Get the Power-Trac...
I couldn't go down a county road before without craning my neck to look at an old Cub, Gravely, Case/Ingersoll, Deere, Simplicity, etc. You name it, I looked (and coveted) it. I liked something about each of them, but the thought of changing tools on any of them made my knees hurt or the thought of maintaining 3 or 4 engines thru the seasonal changes got tiring as well...

Now,... life is good , 1 engine to maintain, most parts can be second sourced (if convenient or cheaper) and tool (implement) changes don't even require a thought (let alone, wrenches & screwdrivers). The simplicity of design is a comfort that I've come to appreciate even more as I use it (only 57hrs so far)...

A possible downside, if comparing to other makes is that fit and finish wil not compare to mass produced machines. It is a handmade machine, but therein lies it's strength...It is overbuilt...If you back into a tree or drop something on that "expensive" Brand X hood or fender, you've just experienced a major "dissapointment" in appearance, while the same incident on a PT would go unnoticed. (It is unlikely that a hammer or channel lock pliers would be useful to reshape a bent part, generally a welder would be required /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)...soooohhh...

My perspective is to get the PT early in your life to get the best of it's benefits...

ps. The fact that you are asking this ? on this PT forum told me that your mind is open to the possibility /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> fit and finish </font>

That of a tank, comes to mind. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Form Follows Function

 

[smartguyz]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It is a handmade machine, but therein lies it's strength...It is overbuilt...If you back into a tree or drop something on that "expensive" Brand X hood or fender, you've just experienced a major "dissapointment" in appearance, while the same incident on a PT would go unnoticed. )</font>

I totally agree. I let my good friend and neighbor drive my PT soon after I purchased it. He proceeded to go down a bank that I had never attempted (due to the 35-40 degree slope), and it was very stable (I'm still chicken to do it), and he also accidentally backed into one of the 8x8 pillars that holds up the deck - it took a horrific chunk out of the pillar (which I glued back in place later), and would have put a huge dent in my Deere 318, or have crushed the hood on the 318 - easily. On the PT, it DIDN'T EVEN SHOW. It hit solid plate steel, and there was absolutely no visible signs of damage. I was duly impressed, as was my neighbor. I still have the 318, which has been relegated to duty as a 'vacuum' unit, for when I need to pick up leaves or need to bag the lawn, and for general pick-up duties with the front slip-loader, but the PT does everything else. I have found it indispensable. My wife told me last night that she enjoyed me being the 'gardener' on the property, and that I was very 'industrious'." Such kind words!

-Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif