Farmall 230 is this a reasonable value?

This started out as being a tractor stored in a shed for 22 years that I asked for any concerns about the purchase of from the forum in reguard to being 20 years in storage and before I new what I was looking at. So with open eyes and the forums advice I went and looked.

I showed up unplanned and the owner was home and willing to show me the Tractor.

What I have found is a 1957 Farmall 230 wide front end. The tractor on first impression was good. Checked it over, oil, water and gas okay. So I attempted to start it. Fairly cool today about 45, the tractor fired right up with no choke at idle and then stalled. Gave it a little choke and it fired up and idled no problem. Checked the hydraulics out everything checked out good hitch lifted up and down quickly front rock shafts both work nice and smooth. Not sure why the two levels to operate them. Next was the test drive easily moved with little throttle in reverse and the first 3 gears it even shifted in to 4th and was able to move foward at 3rd or 4th notch on the throttle. Paint is all orginal, no poor repaint job. The tractor has the draw bar and even has the hook for releasing the fast Hitch from the seat. No signs of welding or cracks in the hitch.

Issues found one rear tire has a boot bulging out. Ran the tractor about 15 minutes and the heat gauge did not move. The amp meter does not work, bur it is converted to 12v so it may not be hooked up. There is some type of gauge by the clutch pedal that appears to connect to the Fast hitch that does not work. And NO power steering.

Seller even has a IH 2 bottom plow and a IH sickle mower both fast hitch.

Asking $3000.00 for the tractor and $3500.00 all on. Is this a fair price?

It would be a little high for me but not a bad price. I would think 3 grand for all of it.

Sometimes they sell for that. In my opinion the tractor alone, as you describe should be about $2000. Check the engine for blowby, it should have little or no smoke coming out of the oil cap. If it is excessive, that means it uses some oil. That is not necessarily bad, but indicates an overhaul sometime down the road, or maybe never if you don't use it much. Tires are going to run about $500+? each for that size tire. At 45 degrees it will take a lot of time for the temp gauge to move unless it is under load. I don't know what is by the clutch pedal. SC's never came with power steering, and as you found out with a WFE they are hard to steer in close quarters. OK going down the road or for field work. A narrow front will bolt right on making it easy to steer.

I said SC as to steering, 230 never had it either.

The tractor has a PTO, but it is not independent.
(it must operate with the clutch out to turn) Other
than that they are well thought of tractors. If the
rear tires are matched (same age, brand) the other
might be in as bad a shape. I think the tire issue
is a 500$ deduction. At 3000 it is a good buy. Do
you need it, or want it. Several tractors in that
category of price will be more powerful and have a
live PTO. Jim

The gauge by the clutch pedal is your depth control for plowing. Only the 230 had it and most now either don't have it at all or it doesn't work. The mower sells for maybe 200.00 if someone wants one and the plow, if in good shape sell for 250-275 in MD. I bought mine back in the winter for 1300 not running. I lucked out, we got it running in an hour and has new pistons in it. Tires cost me 1000.00. I'm looking at one now that has good paint and good tires for 1600.00. I think your looking at 2000 considering it needs tires. Just my opinion and i'm called cheap by my friends. In my area things aren't selling that good.

One more thing, you mentioned rock shafts. Mine has two hyd valves, one works the fast hitch and the other is an option. The one that i'm looking at only has the one for the fast hitch. I didn't think they put rock shafts on the 230. I have an owner manual and will look tomorrow to see if it had an option.

I think the 2 bottom plow and the mower would be a good addition whether your using or showing.
I think 3000.00 all included would be a reasonable offer, depending on condition of mower and plow. Tony

Yes, the 230 could be ordered with the Hydra-Touch or with the Touch-Control like the C, SC and 200. Apparently most were ordered with Hydra. With the Touch-Control, you would have the front rockshaft and also the rockshaft of the 230 fast hitch.