A word about tractor values

We are always seeing questions about tractor values on this site. My guess is that the majority of the questions are coming from folks new to this site and new to antique tractors. Although I think it's great that people are willing to help out with values, I suggest extreme caution in giving this info based on your area or expierence. A tractor, or any other antique for that matter, is worth only what someone is willing to pay!

I am stating this for reasons based on two recent auctions. The first auction...1952 WD- narrow front, poor tires/rims, ok metal, classic shifter problem, noisy hydraulics, carb in need of rebuild. In other words nothing special. Two gentlemen got into a bidding war and the tractor ended up going for $1600. Great I thought- the "value" of WD's are going up.(That price is more than double what WD's in that condition generally go for around here.)

Auction 2- Better shape than #1 and with a home made snow plow(worked great)... $ 675. The interesting point... I recognized the losing bidder from auction #1 and struck up a conversation with him basically to find out why he bid so high on #1. He said that he was told that a WD was an excellent tractor and would best suit his needs. He admitted knowing nothing about tractors but he did a little research on the net...HERE AT YT MAG! He said that he read on this site that a WD was worth up to and may be over $2000. However, he did not know what might make a WD worth that much. (I.E.- fresh rebuild, perfect metal, new tires/rims, etc.)

NOW HERE'S THE SAD PART! The gentleman he was bidding against (auction #1) would have stopped at nothing to get that tractor. It was his recently deseased fathers first tractor. He still had the original paper work and bill of sale for the tractor. (The tractor was sold to the neighbor having the auction years ago. The tractor was listed as part of the estate and HAD to be auctioned.) Our friend did not know this of coarse.

Unfortunatly, this man was forced to pay thru the nose due to ignorance (not stupidity) caused directly by a well-meaning persons comment on this site about the "value" of a particular tractor. What applies to YOUR area does not apply everywhere. This holds especially true if you live in an area where antique tractors are becoming yuppie toys. I mean no offense by saying this for it is good for the restoration folks and parts dealers. But try to keep in mind that in less rich rural areas like mine many small farms still use the old machines- Especially WD/WD45's and D 17's. We have a pretty good idea of what somthing is worth to us based on what it will take to get it into good working order or it's useability for parts. Enough said?

It would be rude not to answer all the value questions but might I suggest some valid solutions. If they are looking to sell the tractor suggest they auction it off...local or E-bay. If they want to know the worth...have it appraised. Ask for an accurate description or pics of the tractor before giving any estimated values and consider doing that thru private e-mail. It's good that folks are willing to help with values but remember that good intentions sometimes have bad results.

Had to get this off my chest,

Steve

What I appreciate about this site is I have the opportunity to go to the equivalent of the small town cafe, pull a chair up to the well worn table, pour a cup of coffee, and chat tractors with those who know them. I'm smart enough to take comments and assessments with a grain of salt. Goodness knows the difference in a Deere and an Allis Chalmers can be religious with some folks!

So when I ask about tractor values, I try to describe a tractor as best I can and ask for a price range that the tractor could fall in. And I have been fortunate enough to get some great feedback that saved me a couple of thousand dollars. In fact, in one case, I corresponded with a guy off line about a tractor I was buying and by posing questions he suggested, learned alot about a tractor I ended up not buying.

I appreciate the story and the desire to not lead anyone astray. I also appreciate those who have shared their expertise and passion. I hope you all will continue to talk about tractor values, and feel free to throw in disclaimers that say, don't act like an idiot, etc. Please don't reduce the value of what you all have given all of us newbies though.

Steve

(Yes I'm still looking for a tractor. I need one with a loader...)

This is a really tough subject to talk about. You can beat this thing to death, and still not fix the problem. I'm one of those "new folks" to this site, (definetely not a yuppie by no means) and most of you fella's probably forgot more about tractors than I'll ever know. I've been wiring & restoring antique cars & trucks for folks for over 30 years and as the years moved on, the prices of certain sought-after models have skyrocketed. It seems as time moves on, the "value" of an antique no matter what it is as Steve said, increases. But it increases because of the people that buy & the people who sell an item. I have a lot of fellows that come in my shop looking for a particular model car, say like a 55' Chevy to restore or just plain "fix-up". Unfortunetely, because these cars are being sold each day for large sums of money (whether they're junk or decent-whatever their "worth" may be) and the people who are paying rediculous amounts of money for them, (whether they are yuppies or for personal reason's) are making it tough for the Hobbiest who just wants that particular model car to tinker with way out of his reach. And ya know what? None of us have any control over that. It's just something that happens nation wide, and it snowballs each time that particular model is sold. I guess you could say it's almost the same situation with the farmer that needs a machine for his farm. He can't purchase it because as time goes on and each model sells for more & more each time, eventually, it's just way out of his reach. If someone were to ask me how much a certain tractor is "worth", my answer to he or she would be talk to different folks experienced on the subject, or do some research. I can only tell them what I paid for my tractor, and how much I have in it, but, it's still not a accurate answer. As much as I hate to say it, antique tractor prices may wander higher just like the automobile, and it's just a fact of life. None of us have any control over it, and that's sad, especially for the person who needs it or wants it the most! Whether it's the farmer, or the fellow that want's his Dad's tractor back for a "rememberance".....

That AC was WITH a Bush Hog, Plow, and something else..... .and HERE, a 45 has NEVER dropped below $1,200.oo, if in good shape, with a plow....NOT JUNK--GOOD SHAPE..... as in FIELD-READY... Seems like I have found a few fellas with a "Tractor Pulling Attitude".....Think ya know it all--but don't know much..... Same attitude exists with a Truck driver who has been on the Road for 5 Years....He thinks he has ALL the answers, and is ready to run everyone else off the road... Find an "Old Pro", and the attitude is Much Different..... Are you "Amatures", or merely immature "Kids"..???

I somewhat have to agree with you but let's not forget about regional factors and pricing. And using the example of your friend...As he apparently comes off as an expert on old car pricing it is easy to see how his pricing suggestions can breed ignorance in the uninformed. That is why I suggested using caution in valuations.

Im not trying to start an arguement nor am I picking on Ron for his 4-26 post...but read Rons response to a pricing question...wide open for misunderstanding...Agree?

There is nothing anyone can do about an individuals lack of common sense and folks will continue to get "burned" at auctions and sales regardless of what I say or do. I never suggested not helping out with values...just be carefull in doing so.

Steve

The gentelman whom bid against the farmer thought he did find out something about what he was bidding on...HERE ON THIS SITE. Again, prices are largely regional and market driven. For example, my brother lives in S.E Michigan where WD's in good condition easily pull in over $2000. Here, I've never seen a WD go for over $1200 (great shape,excellent tires/rims)save once...Caused by our friend whom was innocently mis-led by a well-meaning individual probably living hundreds of miles away.

Steve

I work with the Extension Service and know quite well the straights small farmers are in. I'm also a small farmer and have to operate it with my Dad part-time because of the current economic situation. I know he wanted the tractor, but life isn't fair (as I've found out many times).

I know you're incensed about this, but it was the guy's choice to buy the tractor. And if the other guy had been informed - by other folks at the auction - that family was involved he may have backed off sooner. Or may not.