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Oliver, Cletrac, Co-op & Cockshutt Tractors Discussion Forum

Advice Needed

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smalltownfarmer

02-20-2006 15:55:36

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I am writing this post as I"m at a crossroads.Im 23 years old and have a small cow/calf operation that Ive been running since my dad passed away four years ago. Its a small farm with about 200 acres and 30 Cows. My dad was an Oliver tractor collector and had 10 tractors that he collected. 4 are work tractors and 3 are restored and 3 were partial resored tractors. Im getting to the point that im spending more time wrenching on them than doing field work or paying attention to my cattle. The question is would you part with a few of these tractors to get one good one? The problem I have is that 3 were my dads babies (and I wont get rid of these)But im afraid ill never be able to aquire tractors like these again. Id like to be a farmer first and a collector second, but id like to hear from you as to your advice. Id like to keep farming but im not sure what I should do.

Thanks in Advance

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super99

02-22-2006 17:30:04

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

Good Questions and many differing ideas in reply. I'd like more info before making any suggestions.Are you married, kids? do you ( or wife) work off farm? How much debt? (Can you afford newer and bigger). Are farm and cows all yours or do you rent from Mom? Is machinery yours? Are you fixing it up so you can buy it from sibblings later at higher cost? You don't say how big or how old tractors are, Are they big enough to do what you need to do ? Can you do repairs yourself or are you hiring it done. Ya, its old, but if you fix it right, you shouldn't have to fix it again, sooner or later you will have all the bugs out and have a reliable tractor. Unless you know the tractor, if you buy used, you can still get a lemon.(if it ws as good as advertised, why is he selling it??? I'd like to help you out, if you want to talk things thru email me . Chris

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Jake in NY

02-21-2006 19:00:48

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

I have a question to start with. Is your main objective to be profitable or just to tinker around with your "toys"? If you're in this for the sake of $$$ then I would suggest looking into having your cropwork custom done. It can save you a bundle in machinery costs and repairs. Not to mention time. I realize this practically sacrilege to say on an old iron site like this, but it might be the better option.

Focusing on extending the grazing season while feeding a bare minimum of hay seems to be the recipe for financial success.

If I were in your shoes, I would hire out all my field work and save my favorite tractor for tinkering and odd jobs around the place. Over time you can add to your machinery collection as $$$ warrants without tying up valuable time and money in constant repairs in the meantime.

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02-20-2006 20:20:38

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

I think you will find that if you trade in a few tractors on something more modern, that you will find yourself doing the same wrenching on a more expensive tractor. Plus, when that one more modern tractor breaks, you don't have the others to fall back on. We've farmed for years with just an 880 and 1755 and they both have treated us very well. Have you thought about going through one or two of your most handy tractors tip to toe and adress all the areas that are "a little worn out" or "could leave you stranded" to improve reliability? There is no reason the "old stuff" can't be as reliable as the "new stuff."

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Jeff Oliver

02-20-2006 19:54:43

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

Which ones are you wrenching on? If it is the ones you use them you might consider either getting one or more rebuilt if you want to still use them. If it is the others then as one man said earlier, prep them for storage and put them up if you can. depending on what all you have you might be able to sell say two of the users for one good one and just have two work tractors. My dad used to say that you can't drive but one at a time anyway ( of course now he has like 40+) but we really only have about 3-4 that we use. Me ,him, and my son, so we have those covered.

As for the collectable, I would rather have my granddads of beat up ferguson than a 1 of 15 tractor as my memories are with the ferguson. Personal preference there of course.

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john-holcomb

02-20-2006 19:37:46

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

Some may not agree but consider this, If you have a later tractor of a lrger size 1850 or a any of the FWA tractors, Send it out and have it rebuilt and repowered with a modern engine. A 1850 FWA rebuilt and cummins powered will cost you 20 to 30 thousand and you will have a tractor that will last you 20 + years without all the computer chips of a new JD of the same HP and at half the price. Tell me I'm wrong guys but I don't think so.

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02-20-2006 19:28:21

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

I haven't been able to keep every tractor my Dad had and he didn't get to keep every tractor his Dad had. But I did track down Grandpa's Super 88 that Dad had traded in on a cultimulcher of all things and bought it back. It won't leave the farm again until I'm 6 foot under. You should try to keep the one that is your favorite memory of your Dad if you can. Farming is tough and tough decisions will have to be made. If the tractors are costing you valuable time and money you need a reliable one. Even new equipment requires some wrenches now and then - it's called farming and Murphy's law. If the cows are what's costing you money they can find a new home too. What I'm saying is don't rob Peter to pay Paul. Your gut feeling will tell you what to do best.

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luapp

02-20-2006 19:11:07

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

you might want to look at this way like i do.
unless they are really junk you will sooner or later get threw the fixen and you will know your machine. because when you buy something used you might just be buying somebodys else problems.
and besides most olivers were pretty good tractors. good luck.

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Chuck Herrick

02-20-2006 18:47:40

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

Yes, sell all the tractors but one. Buy yourself a recent model John Deere or Kubota, and get on with the farming.

You're in business. Sentimentatlity is for weekends.

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Cal Innes

02-20-2006 17:34:08

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

A couple of things to consider....Do you need the money from the sale of these tractors?
Do you have the space to store them long term? Someday far down the road you will think back on those tractors you had and wish you had never parted with them. It is always the way it goes... I think I would freshen the oil in each, drain the gasoline, fog the engines with oil, block the clutch pedal and "put them up". Once or twice a year turn them over by hand and "check in" on them. you may find as time goes on that you have more time for them. If you must part with some to get a reliable work tractor, keep the ones that mean the most to you...not necessarily what is the most collectable, it seems that with age, people become more sentimental... Cal

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Ohio Mike

02-20-2006 16:58:31

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

Maybe you should ask yourself, how you will feel if you do unload a few tractors? Also ask yourself what would your dad do if in the same boat? Sounds like you've got a hard call to make! For me I follow my gut feeling about what I need to do and that works best for me. Good luck !

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SW3

02-20-2006 16:23:54

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Re: Advice Needed in reply to smalltownfarmer, 02-20-2006 15:55:36

You should do what is necessary to get a good tractor in which you can make a living. What is the point in having a collection that just sits in the shed, gets put out for display, or goes to the occasional parade? I really enjoy my Oliver tractor, but this is because I get to use it as it was intended, not just look at it in the shed. If the entire collection means a lot to you, keep them all. However it already seems like you have picked out the 3 that mean the most, you may have to sacrifice the rest for the greater good.

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