3020 Gas Price Opinion...

I found a 3020 gas and went to look at it tonight. I would like to get your opinions on a price to pay for this unit:

Features:
- 3020 Gas Synchro Range
- Differential Lock
- Roll-a-matic Narrow Front
- Zenith (cast iron) carburetor
- Hourmeter shows 8100hrs

Condition: Overall the tractor is in decent shape. It looks as though it has been repainted several years ago. The rear tires, 15.5-38"s, are about 75%. The fronts are about 50%. The PTO functions fine and the three point seems to work fine. There was no apparent chatter in the 3 point or power steering system after warm up. I ran it through all of the gears without issue and the rearend did not make any strange noises.

Concerns: The engine is obviously past its prime. It is usable as-is, but would need rebuilt very soon. There is also a "whirring" noise at the front of the engine. It SEEMS to sound like a bad water pump bearing and did not seem to come from the front pump. The noise seemed to be coming from higher than that. It truly sounded as though the water pump was bad. I also have a concern about the single remote. I am assuming that this is the LH side dash mounted level next to the 3 point lever. The owner told me "don"t move that one". He did not have anything to hook up to the remote to try it BUT the lever was all the way forward and the engine did not seem to be lugging (like it was dead-heading the remote).

What should a guy expect to pay for such a tractor?

Thanks,

Goldsburg

It"s a closed Center hydraulic system, the engine won"t load against a spraying relief valve.
Is it the balancer you here whirling?
Going to make your lick g with this tractor or it"s going to be an odd jobs putting around unit?
Save your $$$ and run the engine until it really needs an OH.
How much ?

I doubt very much the engine has accumulated 8,100 hours without already being rebuilt at least once. Most likely, it has been rebuilt twice and should have at least another 1,000 hours in it before it will need it again.

Looked at one nearly identicle to what you described and the asking price was $2500 as is.I passed and told a friend about it and he bought it and thought it would make a little.

It will be a "play" tractor that mows and moves snow. It will not be something that would have to earn a living.

They are asking $4500 for the tractor. Given that it needs and overhaul and has that funky noise up front what is the "right" price to pay? I know that gas tractors are priced like the diesels but...?

Thanks,

Gary

I got one like that 10 years ago with 6000 hrs for $6800. It was higher than others I saw for sale, but has since paid for itself many times with the work it's done. Water pumps are not hard to rebuild. Noise could also be from the generator or alternator. I read an article that says to check the gear on the oil pump as it can get stripped and then damage the engine. No oil pressure gauge to monitor as it only has a dash light if it's working right.
Larry

I understand the sentiment with the hours comment as related to needing a rebuild, but the thing smokes blue like a freight train and doesn't have a lot of compression. It "coasts down" for a good 10 to 12 seconds after you key off...

Regards,

Goldsburg

Then obviously that tractor has not recieved the preventative maintenance it was entitled to.