Is there a White 125, and what's it worth?

My dad went over and visited and old family acquaintance today. The ol boy gave up farming I think 5 or so years ago and has decided to sell his farm equipment and such so it isn't setting around anymore. So, since dad was over there, he was checking out the stuff, and was telling me about the tractor. He said it was a White 2wd 120 or 125, probably a mid 80's tractor. Now, let me tell you that my dad is an Oliver guy, not a White guy. He always said he thought they were good tractors, but dad has always farmed with IH. We have enough big tractors so we don't really need another tractor that size, and neither does he, so he looked it over, but didn't look at the details much. I asked him what kind of engine it had, but he said he didn't look. He said that he was "pretty sure" it was a 125, but not positive. He said it is a REALLY nice tractor with like new or very good 16.9-38 radial tires and duals, has a rack of front weights. Dad said the cab looked real good and the AC worked and all that. But, the best part... is it actually only has 1,200 hours on it. The guy used it to farm 55 acres for a long time, pulling 12-14' equipment. Dad said the the guy wasn't sure what to ask for it, but some other guy was there looking at it, saying he was sure he knew a guy that would $10,000 for it. Dad said the guy sounded like he'd be pretty happy with that, and maybe I'm wrong, but doesn't that sound pretty cheap? With only 1,200 hours, shouldn't that be a $15,000-20,000 tractor?

Ross

If it is as you describe, it has a 5.9 Cummins engine in front of a three speed power shift transmission that's in front of the 6 speed transmission.

well they did make a 125
not sure what it's worth
does sound low IMO
white 125

Rboots: That tractor is easily worth $20-25K with only 1200 hours on it. If some one is offering him $10K for it that are trying to steal it from him.

That's a very sought after tractor worth a lot more than 10K in my opinion.

Yeah, that "some other guy" is a tractor jockey trying to score that tractor for about half what he expects to sell it for.

If its a 120 or 125 the tire size isn't right.

If it is a 120 or 125 that's very slick and low hours like that its a screaming deal at $10,000.

If that tractor sells for 10,I'm going to be ready to slash my wrists. I gave 9 for my 2-105. With that few hours,it's a $20,000 tractor.

So dad went back over there this morning before I talked to him and offered the guy 12,000 for it, but the owner said he'd told the guy yesterday that he has to wait to hear back from the other guy first. The other guy said he'd let him know if "the guy he knew" would give the 10,000 for it or not. Dad knows the guy that was looking at it and said he's probably waiting to see what the local jockey will give him for it first to see if he should go 10,000 on it. So I guess we wait until next week and see what happens. Dad said it IS a 125 White Workhorse, it does have 1,200 hours, pretty sure the front weight rack had all of the spaces occupied, it does have 16.9-38 radial tires and duals, the AC does work, it has a Cummins 5.9, and the guy said it was a '90 or '91, he couldn't remember. I guessing the reason for the 16.9-38 tires is because the small equipment he used didn't require the bigger more expensive 18.4's (if he replaced them?) since when he upgraded to that tractor he didn't update the size of the equipment for the bigger tractor.

Dad has no idea of what it's worth since he doesn't follow White tractors, and can't figure out how to use a computer to see. Since he doesn't for sure really know what and when White models were made, he told me after he first looked at it that he figured it was at least a 1980ish tractor... Then today the guy told him it was a 90 or 91 lol.

My preferred brand is Deere. Back in the 1970's, when we transitioned away from IH to eventually Deere, we had a 1955 Oliver for 3 years. That particular tractor was one of the two worst tractors on the place. In the 3 years we had it, the repair bills added up to a cost of around $19.00 per hour to run that tractor, excluding diesel fuel and lubricants. Much of the trouble was experienced in the engine itself. The transmission set up with the 3 speed Over/Under was a delight to have and to use. It seemed that no matter what was hooked to the tractor, normal operating conditions allowed for using "direct drive." When a tough spot came along and pulled the engine down, you pulled it back into "under drive." If an easy spot came along, you could shift up into "over drive." Very nice transmission set up! While that 1955 was "in the hospital," we were provided a 2-105 White to use, a predecessor and smaller model to what you are looking at. We thought White provided a very good tractor. Had we been not so "soured" on the 1955 Oliver, and had a dealer been located closer, we probably would have seriously considered purchasing a White back in 1979. We ended up trading the Oliver for a 4440 John Deere, which is still in the family to this day. The use of the 5.9 Cummins in this White brand of tractor you are looking at, in my opinion, makes this tractor something worthwhile pursuing, and I already shared with you our own appeal to the transmission setup. I think you have found a very good tractor to purchase, and it should give you lots of good years and hours of service. I can see no reason to be afraid of this tractor! If you can swing it - Go for it!

I checked Tractor House and they do not have any 125s listed. They have 2 120s which was the previous model listed for over $20000. I understand that is the asking price, but still it is double what you are talking about. I have an Oiver 1955 with the Cummins in it and it is the sweetest Oliver I've ever driven. Previous owner put the Cummins (a new one) in in 1988 and had no problems with it until I bought the tractor about 4 years ago. When he was plowing he pulled 6x16s. I have a 5x18s Oliver plow and it is a great plowing tractor.