What's it worth? John Deere LI

1946JDA · Nov 30, 2018

I am dealing with a guy on a 1946 John Deere LI. Doesn't run currently(hasn't even been turned over recently as he doesn't have the crank for it he says). The tag is pretty nice. It appears all the metal is there and not beat up terribly. Currently painted green(very poor quality) instead of yellow or orange. Tires are decent. If it ran, I'd know where I wanted to be for a price. I don't know what a fair offer would be since I really don't know what I'm going to find if I buy it and get it running. I figure if I could get it going with some minor repair/tinkering, I'm sure I could get it bought right. Of course, if I got it going and it smoked like a diesel, personally I would only want to have about half as much in it. So, what is a fair number as things sit?

Patsdeere · Nov 30, 2018

Can you spin the fan and see if engine turns? If you rock the thing in gear to see if engine will turn?

Steve@Advance · Nov 30, 2018

Who initiated the sale?

Did he put it on the market as not running, not interested in making it run?

If so, start low, see what he says about $100 or so. Typically not running is scrap value.

If you approached him about putting it on the market, go a little higher, $200-300 or so. If he balks show him what some fully restored and running sell for, around $2000.

Are there any attachments? That would bring the price up some.

hd6gtom · Dec 1, 2018

Price of running ones around here has dropped dramatically over the past 5 years. Not running a couple hundred dollars at most. 3 or 4 years ago a non runner sold at a sale brought 75.00 went to scrap man.

Traditional Farmer · Dec 1, 2018

Really its how bad you want it and how bad he wants to sell it.I've given pretty good money for something I wanted and have bought dirt cheap some good tractors I really didn't want
but figured I could make money on them.Pays not to want things(LOL)

M-MAN · Dec 1, 2018

If it were me I would offer $500 & if I got it going easily go back and give him a few more. Course I don't look at tractors for resale value. Just for the value it gives me. I would be tickled to find one just for my granddaughter. Would end up being way more than it's worth but at the same time priceless to me.

Russ from MN · Dec 1, 2018

Yes, there are ways to tell if it's loose without a crank!

1946JDA · Dec 1, 2018

WOW! I knew the LA had dropped to the numbers you are saying. LI used to bring roughly 60% more than LA. Glad I asked.

1946JDA · Dec 1, 2018

Haven't seen the tractor in person, just a bunch of pictures. It's a few hours away and the number he is talking right now, is probably fair if it run's easily. If it ends up needing much to run then I'd be way upside down in it(in my opinion). So, basically, I asked to help determine if I will have enough negotiation room to be worth hitching up and making the trip. The responses I'm seeing so far indicate 'not even worth the drive'.

Traditional Farmer · Dec 1, 2018

Hey if you like it and want it that is the main thing,if you plan to keep it the $$value is secondary,if you plan to resell then maybe not.I usually buy because its a good deal and I can sell at a profit but I have an Oliver 1550 Utility I bought that once its up and running I know I'll have more in it than I can sell it for but no big deal as I've wanted one for
quite a while and will keep and use it. Still won't be a fraction of what a new tractor that size would cost and do me just as much good.

coshoo · Dec 1, 2018

If it were my LI and somebody offered me $100, I'd run him off the place, and that would be that. Sometimes when you insult somebody with a ridiculous offer, you can't un-ring the bell.

JOCCO · Dec 1, 2018

Yes they have come down but LI is not that common. You can find engine parts that aren't to bad in price. Some parts like hydraulic pump for mower is rare. I guess I don't quite a agree with the $75-200 crowd

Crazy Horse · Dec 1, 2018

I suspect he's on a fishing expedition. Why doesn't he give you a price? You said you have an idea of what you would pay if it was running, how much would that be? He's the one selling it, ask him for a price. If he says he doesn't know what it's worth, then how will he know how good or bad your offer is? Driving three hours and not knowing at least an asking price is something I would avoid.

1946JDA · Dec 1, 2018

I know what he wants. I'm just trying to get an idea what it's worth either way. I know people will say "how bad do you want it?". But I cannot be upside down in the deal. Every "toy" I ever buy is treated as a business venture. That is the reason I can continue to have a toy/s despite raising a child. I am all too aware of how much the 2 cylinder market in general has changed. I was unsure if the fact that it's an industrial had allowed the value to perhaps hold a little better. The information that I am getting seems to indicate that these have been hit harder than I realize.

Crazy Horse · Dec 1, 2018

Oh, so you know his asking price. Sounds like it might be a secret for whatever reason but if it isn't, why not post it here and the YT crowd will be able to reply accordingly. I'm not much help with the price, my comments are just related to the transaction procedure which is now clearer than it was at first.

What's it worth? John Deere LI

1946JDA

Member

Patsdeere

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

hd6gtom

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

M-MAN

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

1946JDA

Member

1946JDA

Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

coshoo

Well-known Member

JOCCO

Well-known Member

Crazy Horse

Well-known Member

1946JDA

Member

Crazy Horse

Well-known Member

Similar threads