Used attachments/farm auctions

[Anonymous Poster]

I have been looking locally for used attachments (box scraper for example), which I would think would be fairly plentiful. But, Im barely finding anything.

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places? Where do you guys find your used attachments and farm auctions?

Andy

 

[Mosey]

I've never had any luck finding used attachments either. I just end up buying new stuff. Auctions are time consuming and if I do see something I want there's always someone there willing to pay more than it's worth. There is a farm equipment dealer near me who sells used tractors and attachments and new attachments, but the prices on most of his used stuff is way too high.

 

[Heath]

I know my dealer well, and we discussed the topic of auctions one day. He regularly sends new equipment to auctions. He told me that he almost always sells the equipment at the auctions for more than he would sell them on his sales floor. This is even taking the auctioneer cut into consideration.
Something to think about.

 

[g42guy]

I agree with that!!
I have seen 10 or 15 year old rear blades, disk, and plows go for about 80 to 90% of new!

 

[RoyJackson]

"He told me that he almost always sells the equipment at the auctions for more than he would sell them on his sales floor."

This doesn't surprise me a bit... Folks get caught up in the excitment of the auction or don't do their homework before they go...well, they end up paying waaaaay too much for used items.

You just got to know when to walk away...

Of course, most of the stuff I've seen advertised weren't for compact tractors.

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree with everything that has been said here. You can get good deals at auctions but you have to know what you are looking for. You also have to go to alot of sales. You have to watch the flyers, papers, internet, etc. It's like anything, bargain hunting is not easy work.

 

[micromike]

I too am amazed at the prices implements go for at auction. Buying "parts" at the auction is sometimes the way to go if you are handy and have the tools to repair/rebuild/fabricate.

I've also had good luck browsing the local "bullitin board" free add newspaper. And, ebay has some incredible deals at times. My son wrecked my 97 Ranger PU this winter. I found used beds ranging from $800 for a rusted dented hulk to $1,400 for a fairly decent bed, and on up to $2,000. I just won the bid on an excellent condition 97 bed for $202.50 and it's less than three hours from my home. Ya gotta love those deals!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello--As a dealer, I can remember a time when you could get a bargain at a auction--Those days are all but over--Lots of people nowdays seem to go to auctions as a hobby or probably a good way to get out of the house on the weekends and maybe the better half will mow the yard while he is gone??--We also, regularly sell new and used equipment from our machinery business at usually the same or less than local farm auctions--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[soarkrebel]

I just bought a 14"moldboard plow in almost new ,just faded paint, condition at an auction. i paid $95.00 for it.
But i watched a guy pay 275 for a wore out sunburst boxblade! and then some idiot paid 175 for a cultivator that was in need of repair.
It was my first auction and yes i will go to another but i set a limit and stop ! i got lucky .
i don't see many used implements on the road but do see many in the papers classifieds. some are priced right.

 

[RichZ]

As was said earlier, you can find deals at auctions, but it is time consuming, and you have to know waht things are worth. I get a lot of equipment at auctions, but if I go to an auction, I have to be willing to spend most of the day there. You often see things go for much more than they're worth, but there are occasional bargins, and I usually hang out waiting to get one. Usually I do.

 

[rancar]

OK Andy....here's a couple of upcoming auctions in your area you might want to consider attending.

Salem Farm Supply on May 3rd in Salem, NY at 9:30AM. Check their website at www.salemfarmsupply.com for more specifics. There's low priced and not so low priced stuff at this auction. Expect to pay a bit more for the better quality stuff.

Town and Country Auction Service on May 10th in Schuylerville, NY at 9:00AM. There's lots of cheap stuff at this auction if you're looking for something low priced but still useable to some degree.

Both auctions will likely be heavily advertised with a listing of major items in Albany's TU on the Thursday before each auction in their auction classifieds. Be sure to check them out.

...Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You get good deals at farm auctions when you are looking for something that doesn't match. For example, go to a construction auction where most everything is construction equipment, and there is one farm-related field cultivator. Won't be many farm folks there, so that field cultivator will go cheap, and no one will bid it up 'for fun' if it does.

So, you have to find an auction with that one item you want, but not many other items a guy like you would want. You need to be the odd-ball person at an estate sale. Consignment sales are generally 'rigged' (legally, but more 'no sales' than sales at the one's I attend) in some way to bring the regular asking price - waste of time to expect to find a deal at a consignment sale.

Right now, machinery that is in demand is for very large farms to some extent, or machinery for a 5-20 acre plot. You just won't find any deals - now. If you are farming 200 - 500 acres, there are lots of cheap deals. But then, no one can afford to make anything on that size farm, so no one is buying....

--->Paul

 

[cowboydoc]

If you are farming 200 - 500 acres, there are lots of cheap deals. But then, no one can afford to make anything on that size farm, so no one is buying....

I won't deny you can't make much money on that size farm but there are plenty of guys who work that size farms. It may be different where you are but around here that equipment brings alot too.

 

[gws]

You need to find a good equipment auction. We have them twice a year. Fairground is filled up with people wanting to sell everything. Dealers getting rid of used gear, people selling off used gear. usually can find some good bargins, but these auction tend to be advertised by word of mouth through the farmers and sometimes dont even hit the local paper.

 

[GSS]

We like going to auctions, but as others have said, the true deals are few and far between. I've found that the auctions in bad weather have the best deals. The waste-of-time factor is the biggest drawback. You might see a few things you want, but you have to wait til they get to them. Is the deal you might get worth taking you away from the other stuff you could be doing?

I watch the local free sheets too. Pennysaver, Horse Trader, Green Sheet... Don't write off the dealers though. Many times they have a last year's model they want to move and will deal.

I have 3 implements. The finish mower (72" Woods) was purchased new at the dealer for ~$1200. My 66" Long tiller was purchased at an equipment auction for ~$300. And my Massey-Furg 2 bottom plow was purchased through the Horse Trader for $120 (includes delivery). All were great deals from what I could tell.

Just be patient, do your homework and shop around. You'll find what you need. Now if I could just find a nice box blade...

- Gerald

 

[Anonymous Poster]

$300 for a tiller! Now THATS what Im looking for!!

 

[GSS]

Overall, it works well, but initially needed about 10 bolts replaced. After using it a few times, I see that the tines are extensively worn and doesn't dig as deep as it should. Also, all of the main case gaskets needs to be replaced. It'll leak most of the 90W sitting around... Still a good deal though, I guess.

I believe they had another at that same auction. A little smaller and appeared newer (maybe just repainted). Orange too! I don't know if it was a Howard though. I think it went for over $400.

- Gerald