R John Deere

Anyone want to give me some ideas on value of a Model R?? Tractor is in its works clothes and has sat for several years in a lean to. It was used to landscape owners' property before he built a new home. The tractor has a large heavy dozer and a ripper on the back. Every once in a while, the owner starts the tractor, the tires are good and it looks like the right rear was replaced with a new Good Year some years back. Tin is in good original condition with some minor dents. Screen on grill is pushed in on one side. It does have a grill guard someone fabricated. I did take several pictures recently if someone would like to see them.

The owner wants to sell but neither of us have an idea on what to ask.

Probably should put up the pictures. That would give a better idea what you're dealing with.

My basic starting price for an R is $5,000. For this it must have both motors in good reliable running condition, good but not perfect paint, steering wheel, seat, backrest, battery box, hood emblem, tin and tires, all other components such as lights, PTO, hydraulics, charging system, transmission and cooling system in good working order and a good clean drawbar with hammer strap.

Add for new paint, tires and recent engine, pony motor or transmission overhaul. Replacing a bad bearing or two is not an overhaul, that is standard maintenance.

Deductions for various things not meeting that basic standard. Costs of those deductions vary by what it is and the severity of what is wrong. I will say though, a non-working pony motor I consider a $1500 deduction. Also look for stuff that has been welded as a repair of something broken.

In this case, with the tractor having a heavy dozer and ripper, I would pay close attention to the transmission and final drives as that is outside of what it was designed to do. I would also be looking at what was done to include these modifications, like was the dozer mounts welded on and what would it take to return it to original condition. The dozer and ripper I would only consider scrap value. It may be worth more than that to somebody somewhere, but I'm buying an R tractor, not some accessory I neither need nor want, so it is only worth scrap value to me.

Hope this helps.