Collector value vs. practical use value

One of the most intelligent interchanges I have seen here in a long time.

Kajun

I don't think, though, that good restored tractors will be in demand for the front-line work. I would not risk depending on 30 yr old tractor to get 1000 acres of beans in.

I would spend big money on the machine that I absolutely have to have available, then buy some good, older tractors for support work. Why spend $30,000 for something that might see 500 hrs of work per year when you can get something that will do those jobs for, say $7,000? At that rate, you could afford multiple support tractors in case one of them is down for repairs. Multiple older tractors of mid-range size doing less demanding, second-level (utility) work will have there useful lives prolonged.

The neighbor has a 1965 Farmall 806. It's a little rough, but he just put $5,000 in it going through the drive train, hydraulics, and brakes. The motor is sound. What would it cost to replace a big hoss like the 806 (the 806 is a hoss in my world of M's, 460's, and 400's) with something new of that size? That 806 will very likely go another 20 years with the use that it sees. Throwing out the criterion of some possible creature comforts, what will something new in the 100HP range do that the 806 cannot do?

Another neighbor who farms my mother's property does the "heavy-lifting" with his relatively new JD, and then drills beans in with an old Oliver 77 and a steel-wheeled Oliver drill. I can't count the times I've gone past a farm and see big 4WD units doing the tilling. Then when I drive past that farm's barn area, I'll see two or three old "beaters". Usually they're Farmall 300's or Super M's with loaders and crap slung all over them. No, they don't have cabs, heaters, stereos, or GPS units, but they're still earning their keep, don't eat much, and will likely do so with no problem for years to come. (Although I have seen guys operate loaders where a GPS system would help them find the center of a manure spreader).

No, restored units won't be in demand for front-line duty, but I see more demand for restored units for utility work.

Doesn't mean I agree with them but that is the reference point so must go from there.

The trends have definitely changed from the 70s but there are still good quality small tractors. For one thing the compact market is higher quality and has many more models than ever before. The compacts of today can boast Hp equal to that of fulsized tractors of yesterday. Also the small full size market is still there however they are focused on being loader tractors due to the fact that that is how they are used.

If you look at all manufacturers including imports (i.e. Kubota) the small tractors of today are more powerfull, better handling and more comfortable then ever.

Of course the question remains whether Plastic will last and be collectable, but this goes for tractors, trucks and cars alike.

You have to realise that 20 years ago some people said the very same thing you are saying today about the new tractors then. But the one thing that has changed is the price. The prices 20 years ago allowed people to trade in good quality older equipment and afford a new tractor or what ever. Now however the new tractors cost so much that people aren't trading in the old tractor they are fixing them and using them. The nuimber of new tractors being sold has to be but a fraction of what was sold in the 60s and 70s.

So in 20 years from today I think that tractors will be scarce and even old (our now 20 year old)tractors will be worth allot of money because there aren't the number being produced today.

As far as the maintenance thing goes, I tend to think that the electronic tractors of today will still be around. The maintenance costs will drop as more and more younge people learn how to work with and repair electronically controled equipment. There are many examples of this already in our society such as the PC that I am using right now.

One other thing to consider is, like you said, tractors of today don't really do anything that 70s tractors can't do. They just do it bigger, or quicker, or more efficiently or more comfortably. The hydraulicas and so on has changed very little.

So, I agree with you that tractor prices will only go up in the future however I disagree that the tractors of today will not last.

The only thing that could change this would be if the manufacturers somehow drop their prices and people start buying new tractors again. Of course there are allot less farmers now than there was in the 70s.

How's that? Can we agree to disagree? LOL

Always like your posts Indydirtfarmer. Good to debate with you.

I recently started one on the Paint board bout isocyanates and thought someone would climb all over it but they just answered politely (nice surprise). This is probably one of the best sources for info on the net. People from all different walks of life post on these boards.

I always enjoy reading your posts and you start interesting conversations (like this one). I was play devil's advocate during this conversation. why would I be here if I didn't like old tractors?

Talk to (argue with) ya later. hahaha