Model U value?

Met a retired farmer has a Model U in his shed.
He farmed and used it.
Basically, just needs a battery.
It ain't new, but it ain't beat either.
Paint faded from age, etc.
Believe its gas.
Beautiful tractor, in my eyes.
I just want it, don't have to have it.

Neither one of us have any idea what its worth,
and I want to pay him a fair price.

Could anyone please give us a bit of guidance pricewise?
Thanks for any input.
Dan

I paid $1,750 for one about five years ago that
sounds about the same. Ran well, fair tires, good
tin and fair paint. About the only problem was
the rusted out hood panel by the exhaust but you
can buy those panels from a guy in Minnesota,
everything except the stamped nose, I believe. My
guess is that I paid a little more than it was
worth but it was complete and runs well so that is
something. Oh, and the temperature gauge
didn't/doesn't work, but the amp and oil did.
Still need to replace that gauge but expect to do
all of them one of these days. Over these past
years I have also had the starter and generator
rebuilt but those things happen too, especially
when they sit a lot. Looking back, I don't think
the price was out of line, especially when I see
what they want for a restored one. Mine is a 1951
UTS.

Hey, thank you.
Can I get anybody else's thoughts?
I figure it would be well worth $1750,
but I have no clue.
I don't want to low ball him,
want to pay a fair price.
If there's enough input,
I can have his grandson acess this thread,
before I make an offer based on this thread.
Anyway, thanks for the input.

Anymore thoughts from anybody?

Hard to get a good ansewer here, "U"s are common, unless it is a rare version. Ballpark for a loose "UT" or "UTS" might be $750-$1200. I have always said, "good molines are hard to come by", might be worth more if it is shedded and the owner can tell you all you want to know about it. Having good tires and rims is a plus and of course being "complete" and not "beat".
Brian(MN)

If you are really serious about it spend $70 for a battery and a little gas and see if it will run. If it does run how well does it run? I've seen those situations before where the owner swears it ran good when parked etc etc only to find out that there were some serious mechanical issues. Not saying that is the case but buyer beware. If it does run and the tires and rims are okay I would think $1500 would be fair. If it doesn't run I would give more than $750 for it.

Just my two cents, but buying one on the assumption it will run could be an expensive deal. I would think that if you can go over there, hit the starter, & it ran well, then I would consider the 1750. It could still run & smoke like a freight train, noise in the gears, low oil pressure, or leak coolant like a seive. I do not know what they bring in your area, but it sounds high to me.

I have bought a freshly rebuilt 55' UTS for $1500 (good guy price from a family member), and I have bought a 50' UTU that was stuck, but really good shape with good tires for $500. The UTU got a complete engine overhaul, and ended up getting almost $2000.00 invested total into the tractor - but the engine is entirely new from top to bottom, and front to back. I don't think that I would pay anything over $1200 for a "U" until I could figure out what engine problems it WILL have. They always have something - it's a fifty year old machine...

I paid $900 for a running UTU/LP, $750 for a running UTS/LP

Yeah, I hear that. Seems like most of the tractors for sale these days(especially on the internet) say that they ran good 1,2,3 or 5 years ago. If I was trying to sell a tractor thats been sitting, I would put fresh gas and a battery on it and try to get as much as I can for it as a running tractor. I don't know.......

I vote $1000-1500 if it runs well - market is down from a couple of years ago - $1750 is high for a U or UTS - more like a high end UB Special price in my mind. $500-600 if not running - unless its in GREAT condition and you have to have it - or you know history based on first hand knowledge. Check tires as rears will set you back about $300-400 each.

And as best I can find, there are NO side panels available - the Guy in MN who was making them retired. IF anyone knows of a current source - please contact me directly.

If earlier than 53 UB, and original it will be 6 volt Positive ground - though if used a lot, may have been changed to 12v Neg Ground with Alternator. Either way, a 12v battery will start it and run it til points burn out if coil has not been changed. Just make sure to get polarity as it was run last - note size of terminals and posts.

Like others said - get a battery and fresh gas (alcohol free if you can find it) and see how it runs.

If it has not run for a year or more, go to NAPA and get a cork (NOT Rubber) gasket ($2) for sediment bowl and clean out sediment bowl and let tank drain any water and clear line to carb.

Moki - Do you or someone have contact information for the guy in Minnesota doing the side panels ? I would sure like to get one. Thanks

Today, bought a UTU/403, Char Lynn power steerint, runs, 1 bad rear, $600

Folks---
Thank you all for your input.
I surely thought, and I would imagine the owner thought,
it was worth considerably more.
Don't want to insult him, think I just won't make an offer.
Sure like to have it,
but I've lived this long in life without it,
and no reason for me to say somethin' that would bother him.
I'll leave things be.
Thanks again,
Dan

got a right side panel from Arnie Lillo in MN and was well pleased. 507-278-4302.

Found the above in my address book. I don't know if he has retired or not. All I do know is that he made beautiful panels exactly like they were done originally. Guys don't usually stop doing that kind of work. Give the number a try and see. Good Luck!

I found Arnie's phone number and email address. Sorry, he has discontinued making the panels for health reasons. A big loss for U owners.

Maybe I shouldn't have said that the engine ran well--it was overhauled before I picked it up and runs beautifully. It had been sitting for quite a few years and a few bits of crude caused some eventual carb problems, but nothing serious. For the record, I bought the 1951 UTS and a 1950 ZAU for $1,750 each. The Z got nice rims before I picked it up too. Have used the Z for stone picking every year since and have not had any major problems. In fact, I think the Z runs better now than it did at first as everything gets used again on a regular basis. I do not regret what I paid for those two tractors. In fact, the Z is this week's cover picture on the Wisconsin State Farmer Advertising Section.