Or to put it another way how much back up do you have in your fleet? Finances are leaving me in a position where I can make some modest moves in terms of adding to my fleet. Can't do everything I want in one year but am zeroing in on my targeted acquisitions. I've already purchased a 14 ft field cultivator to have to be pulled by the 100 HP tractors here in case something happened to the JD 8430. Just curious as to what others are doing or have already done. Today the bottom line is you can't rent it or readily borrow what you need if something breaks down. I had an oil cooler seep on the combine this fall and had to buy another cooler from the parts yard as nobody does brazing or similar repair work anymore. That kind of repair is definitely not a strength of mine.
- Thread starter NY 986
- Start date
Geo-TH,In
Well-known Member
I'm not a farmer, but I use tractors to mow the lawn.
So yes I have back up mowers. No plans to sell Jubilee. It was my lawn mower, 6 ft woods RM660 and snow plow. It's now retired after buying Kubota.
I can't see selling anything in good working condition.
The same goes with cars. In 2005, bought a new Buick. Didn't trade it in when I bought a new 2018 XT5. It's my backup.
I have backup terramites, back up riding mowers.
I would get shot if I had a backup girlfriend, but as long as she doesn't find out, I'm good. lol.
So yes I have back up mowers. No plans to sell Jubilee. It was my lawn mower, 6 ft woods RM660 and snow plow. It's now retired after buying Kubota.
I can't see selling anything in good working condition.
The same goes with cars. In 2005, bought a new Buick. Didn't trade it in when I bought a new 2018 XT5. It's my backup.
I have backup terramites, back up riding mowers.
I would get shot if I had a backup girlfriend, but as long as she doesn't find out, I'm good. lol.
I do hay for my main farm occupation and my preferred rake is a JD 660. I started having problems with it a couple of years ago and this spring decided that it was on its last leg. Found a 662 in super condition and bought it as a backup since my experience is that if you wait till something breaks, with forewarning, you usually can't find what you need when it occurs. I decided to use the 660 till it quit again......it hasn't so the 662 just sits under a shed....but thats ok. When I need it it will be there.
Conversly the 3 pt. cone spreader just locked up this spring and being a fertilizer spreader I don't need to tell you what an attempted repair would face in terms of difficulty. So I just bought a new one from my used farm equipment dealer (who also sells some new equipment) and lucked out by him having a better brand in stock. Really like the way it operates over the old one.
Conversly the 3 pt. cone spreader just locked up this spring and being a fertilizer spreader I don't need to tell you what an attempted repair would face in terms of difficulty. So I just bought a new one from my used farm equipment dealer (who also sells some new equipment) and lucked out by him having a better brand in stock. Really like the way it operates over the old one.
Tony in SD
Well-known Member
Being in business for over 40 years, I not only have backup equipment, I have backup plans. If something goes wrong with Plan A, I loose no time wondering what to do next since I have already worked out Plan B in my head. In critical areas I go as far as Plan D. I have gone as far as writing out plans for employees and others so I dont even have to be there if a disruption in production occurs.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
Dad bought a new truck in 2000. When he got a newer one in 2018, he kept it as a "backup." It sat and now it's completely rusted out, rotten tires, no brakes, barely runs. It was worth $3000 three years ago, now it's scrap.
He bought a discbine about 6 years ago. Kept the old haybine as a "backup." That haybine has been sitting in the barn, in the way, untouched, unmoved for all that time. It was worth something before, now it's scrap.
Going further back, he kept the old 50 and 650 choppers as "backups" when he bought the 830 in the mid 1980s. Never hooked on either one of them again. They sat and now they're all seized up, tinwork rusted away. They were worth something then, now they're scrap.
He bought a discbine about 6 years ago. Kept the old haybine as a "backup." That haybine has been sitting in the barn, in the way, untouched, unmoved for all that time. It was worth something before, now it's scrap.
Going further back, he kept the old 50 and 650 choppers as "backups" when he bought the 830 in the mid 1980s. Never hooked on either one of them again. They sat and now they're all seized up, tinwork rusted away. They were worth something then, now they're scrap.
Bruce from Can.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Woodville, Ontario, Canada
We cant have in person farm auctions right now, but when we can, I am thinking about holding an auction and getting rid of most of my old equipment. I pretty much only use a few of the older tractors, but I have lots of older equipment that is just taking up shed space. I am not going to square bale again, and have a bunch of related equipment. As well as forage harvesting and planting and tillage. May as well go to some guy that needs it.
Bruce, I just sold my excess equipment one piece at a time, privately over a few years. Forage and haying equipment. Sold the last piece, a NH 489 haybine this year. Surprisingly a fair bit of demand for the smaller stuff if it's in good working order. Having an auction is fine, but takes a bit more organizing and preparation time. Also, depending on your tax situation, selling all of the excess in one go could push your taxable income into a higher bracket....if the selling price of an item is higher than your depreciated value on paper.
Ben
Ben
Vehicles you have to drive or they will deteriorate in one heck of a hurry. Unless the haybine is plum wore out it has some
value most likely not to the degree it had when last used. I could use a 50 forage harvester for parts as I have one. Has not
been used for a while but you never know when it may be needed and you can't go borrow what is not even around anymore. That aside
I like my neighbors but do not like borrowing equipment. I would rather have it in my ownership even if not as new and nice as I
would like.
value most likely not to the degree it had when last used. I could use a 50 forage harvester for parts as I have one. Has not
been used for a while but you never know when it may be needed and you can't go borrow what is not even around anymore. That aside
I like my neighbors but do not like borrowing equipment. I would rather have it in my ownership even if not as new and nice as I
would like.
farmallsandcoops
Member
Backups are a good thing, especially for lawn mowers. If one goes down, you still have to mow. I don't farm but do have a few acres of grass we put in that gets cut and baled for horse and a mule. Neighbors currently cut it, I rake it (borrowing their rake as the one I had gave up the ghost) and we can bale it. Have things to get working to be able to do most of the other parts. And am looking for another rake. I don't like to borrow. BUT, I have great neighbors so that if something goes down, I can borrow or have them do. Likewise, they had their lawn mower go down a couple summers ago. We went over and mowed their lawn for a couple months.
I can use 1 haybine at a time- I have 3 working ones. I can use one rake at a time, have 4. Only have one tedder, want a newer, more reliable one, but won't get rid of the old one.
It works that way with everything here. Having 1 of anything is barely capable. Having 2 is better, 3 is getting pretty solid in the prep area. Just my opinion, and keep in mind I farm mostly with stuff others would use for scrap metal or consider entirely obsolete and outdated.
RCP
Well-known Member
- Location
- Grove City Pa
My family has had this discussion many times as we tend to buy something newer and keep the old for backup.
1) The new stuff quickly becomes the preferred equipment to use.
2) The old stuff is probably not in the best condition, that is why it is being replaced.
3) If the new stuff breaks and can be fixed, that is probably a quicker solution than resurrecting the old equipment.
4) The old stuff sits around until it becomes a nuisance and then it is sold or scrapped.
In my opinion the only way to have backup equipment that is worth having is to use it. Maybe use it in rotation with the newer equipment.
1) The new stuff quickly becomes the preferred equipment to use.
2) The old stuff is probably not in the best condition, that is why it is being replaced.
3) If the new stuff breaks and can be fixed, that is probably a quicker solution than resurrecting the old equipment.
4) The old stuff sits around until it becomes a nuisance and then it is sold or scrapped.
In my opinion the only way to have backup equipment that is worth having is to use it. Maybe use it in rotation with the newer equipment.
One size does not fit all so to speak when setting up an equipment fleet. My backups are older but reliable units that do not have a large price tag to go with them. Around here if something breaks and the work NEEDS to be done you will not be able to borrow or rent a fill in unit. This would be less of an issue if the farm produced income to the degree that factory new replacements were possible over a several year period.
I think backup equipment is good. some is worth it but some is not. have an extra tractor or loader is a good idea. For me right now I have a 5250 MFWD with loader that is the only tractor that runs during the winter. I need the loader for filling mixer wagon and then hook to wagon to feed. I have an belarus with loader as back up and 2394 or 1017 that can be hooked to feed wagon.
for field work it is good to have a cultivator that fits the HP of spare tractor as it won't rust away. have an old press drill that can put in a crop even if it isn't an air seeder. Might not do canola but good enough for cereal grains. old hay equipment tends to rust away sitting so best to just buy parts machines of the same as you use. I know a one family has 2290 2090 maybe others that are the same. I asked him one day how many he had. he said 12 running and driving and almost that many as parts. he buys them all under $5000 with issues and fixes them in the winter. won't sell a one of them. another guy has belarus. 6 identical and has a hard time keeping one running. I think the idea of having more of the same is better than keeping your old one when you switch brands. the old one will need parts after 2 years sitting as that is just how it goes.
for field work it is good to have a cultivator that fits the HP of spare tractor as it won't rust away. have an old press drill that can put in a crop even if it isn't an air seeder. Might not do canola but good enough for cereal grains. old hay equipment tends to rust away sitting so best to just buy parts machines of the same as you use. I know a one family has 2290 2090 maybe others that are the same. I asked him one day how many he had. he said 12 running and driving and almost that many as parts. he buys them all under $5000 with issues and fixes them in the winter. won't sell a one of them. another guy has belarus. 6 identical and has a hard time keeping one running. I think the idea of having more of the same is better than keeping your old one when you switch brands. the old one will need parts after 2 years sitting as that is just how it goes.
redforlife
Well-known Member
I have 5 old tractors, instead of 1 new high dollar one. If I had a new one, I wouldn't be able to afford keeping the 5 old ones around, or having a second new one. And it SURE is nice to have a spare. If my tractor breaks down in the middle of doing something, I just switch out tractors and keep on rolling. Fix the break down after I'm done doing what I'm doing. It also gives you time to think about how ti fix the break down in the best way, which you don't have if trying to fix in a hurry to get back going again.
I know a guy (retired now) that didn't have large newer equipment. Instead, he had smaller, little bit older stuff, but had 2 of everything. 2 tractors, 2 planters, 2 sprayers, 2 everything. I always thought that to be odd since he farmed by himself. Never 2 of same thing rolling at the same time. Took me awhile to figure out, that his system was to accommodate for un-timely break downs.
I know a guy (retired now) that didn't have large newer equipment. Instead, he had smaller, little bit older stuff, but had 2 of everything. 2 tractors, 2 planters, 2 sprayers, 2 everything. I always thought that to be odd since he farmed by himself. Never 2 of same thing rolling at the same time. Took me awhile to figure out, that his system was to accommodate for un-timely break downs.
farmallboy15
Member
Due to limited storage space and pride in equipment I try to go a different route. Instead of having backup equipment I try to keep the equipment I have on top shape. That means replacing or repairing items before they become a major issue or trading up the machine itself. I also keep spare parts I anticipate using and backup plans with neighbors. I am working towards adding another tractor to limit equipment switching during hay season though.
Buying non-runners or fixeruppers for production is not my approach. Buying a project would be an isolated proposal and therefore would not expect to depend on it until repaired or reconditioned. Anything that I buy may be older and non current tech but can hit the field in an instant because it was bought in ready to go condition.
Super H Mike
Member
I plenty of old tractors for back up, but if my haybine or baler goes down and cant be fixed easily a call to my cousins or neighbors for help is my plan B.
Bruce from Can.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Woodville, Ontario, Canada
I know you are right about the extra work and possible tax implications. But it can be a nuisance dealing with people, haggling on price is fun, getting a bad cheque or being asked to extend credit or a guarantee on a 30 year old piece of equipment, not so much fun. I might end up going that way in the end
Bob Bancroft
Well-known Member
- Location
- Aurora NY
I was finally able, last year to buy a second 'big' tractor. I only have two pieces of tillage equipment, and they both want 200+ HP. Grain cart also wants a tractor that size. 100HP is now the handy size tractor on the farm. I'm looking for another with a cab. I sold the 4020.
Guess I have been lucky selling stuff...I always asked for cash, but have accepted a cheque from a few guys. You can kinda figure them out while talking to them. Everything here is sold knowing it's in good operating condition, but no guarantee at all and no extended credit...
Ben
Ben
crooked rows
Member
We have a motto...when you can't buy new buy two as we don't buy much new we have back ups for a lot of our equipment
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
10 NH 851 and 852 balers 5 runners 5 for parts; 3 New Holland 456 mowers all 3 operational;2 NH 256 rakes both in working order.Have a disk and cultipacker at each deer plot on my farm.8 working brush hogs between 4 ft and 10 ft.About 20 running and working tractors between 16 and 100 HP.Multiple tillers,chisel plows,disk harrows,trailers,3pt blades,loaders.Parts tractors for many of the running tractors,lots of spare wheels and tires.
Traditional Farmer
Well-known Member
- Location
- Virginia
Any on line auctions in your area,equipment at on line auctions in my area is bringing more than in person only auctions.The auctioneer have the on line listing but the seller can load it out at their place to the winning bidder.
KEB in GCMS
Member
WE have plenty of back ups, 8 tractors between 20 hp and 50 hp, all we need at the moment. Would like to add a 90 to 100 hp tractor in the future. Probably at least 6 bush hogs between 4 ft and 7 ft, 2 planters, 7-8 sets of discs, 3 cultivators, and if I need something else I go the 3 miles down the road to my uncles and pull out of his reserves. I wish I had gotten so more of my grandads equipment when he passed, but my cousin had it all scrapped as he seen no use for it.
tomstractorsandtoys
Well-known Member
I always have had some extra tractors and equipment but I also consider myself a collector. The corn planter and drill we only have one good one but have extras of many others. We have a good discbine but also have a Deere 800 swather that we use to cut with. Have 2 rakes as once in awhile I find some extra help. Have one good square baler and a round baler. Have 2 good forage harvesters,one with hay head and one with corn head but in a pinch you could change heads in half an hour. Always had one or two extra silage wagons. Have 2 combines now but had three for years. One set for corn,one for soybeans and one for small grain. They were all nice sheded machines each worth around $2000. I do have plenty of shed space so keeping the extra stuff usable is not a problem. The disk,field cultivator,cultimulcher and the soil finisher are about all that sets outside. I don't mind farming with older stuff but I will not farm with junk. Tom
I have a backup tractor, chisel, and drill. They are 30 miles apart, but should I have problems at one place or the other, I can move them as needed. It got tiresome moving all that every year, so I added to the fleet. I dont disk much, and only have one offset, and I only have one field cultivator, so I fold it up and move it with my pickup.
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