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What's Your Restoration Cost?

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Nathan

08-07-2003 13:33:53

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I was just wondering what the most and/or least anyone has ever spent on restoring a tractor, and what their average cost is. I've seen an average of about $3500 for a lot of them, is this about right?

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Ray

08-08-2003 10:20:20

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

Interesting topic. I bought a T340 crawler almost 20 years ago for ~$4000, spent 2500 on rollers, final drive, brakes. Just replaced engine, clutch, etc. for another 2500, still only worth about what I paid for it. It isn't "restored" by a long shot but it is in far better shape than when I bought it. I've used it a fair amount over the years and, it probably won't require much more investment to keep it in good running condition. No museum piece but you can't work a museum piece. Like everyone says, "it depends". Just my $.02.

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kydirtfarmer

08-08-2003 09:44:33

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

What is restored? There are so many ways to explain restored. There are a million different descriptions of a tractors condition. 1. Straight out of the field 2. Straight out of the junkpile 3. been setting for a "while" 4. mint 5. almost mint 6. a little rough 7. "parts tractor" Then there is degree's of restoration 1. garden hose and a spray paint can 2. fix what is broke and paint 3. winter project 4. complete dismantle, and over-haul. 5. Museum quality. No one says you HAVE to do it any certain way. This is not a contest. Whatever makes you happy. BUT.... To me restored means re-build, and make it like new again. All original. Anything less is just reconditioned. Any tractor that gets re-done in MY shop, is done to original specs, and done with OEM parts. But that's just me.

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Robert

08-08-2003 09:24:55

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

I was given a 1945 JD A last fall by my brother-in-law, that had sat since 1988. The engine was a bit stuck, but freed up with a little back and forth turning of the flywheel. Anyway, I replaced rings, gaskets, changed all fluids, replaced the rotted out radiator core, bought a battery, muffler, had my son (he paints cars for a living)straighten and paint the hood, just finished the brakes, so mechanically, it works.
Total cost for all, not including my time and labor, is about $1200.
Value of getting on the old girl and doing some work with her, listening to those two cylinders popping?---- PRICELESS !

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Dave_Id

08-08-2003 08:15:15

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

Including the cost of the tractors, I spent $3500 on a Farmall M, and didnt' touch the engine except for gaskets.. I also spent $3500 on a MH 101 Senior, rebuilding the engine, replacing every gasket in it. Both tractors were sandblasted to bare metal, and painted with PPG urathane two stage paint. New front tires, and used rear tires on both.. I spent $2500 on a Farmall H, but parted out a parts tractor, and sold lot's of parts, subtracting that cost from my project

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Mike

08-08-2003 05:45:33

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

We all need to get together and come up with a list of definitions on these forums. Restored means this, good condition means this and so forth. As was brought up below, everybody has a different definition of restored. If this can be done it would make everybodies life alot easier. I drove 300 miles last week to look at a "restored" John Deere. When I got there it was leaking coolant,had grease and dirt that had been painted over, wrong guages. The owner told me it was restored by a professional,New paint, new guages etc. It was nothing more than an aerosol overhaul.

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Trevor

08-08-2003 05:30:41

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

As other guys have mentioned starting condition is the #1 thing to consider when you talk cost of restoration. But one thing that no one has mentioned is the rarety of the make and model as well as your location.

I am currently restoring a Cockshutt 60 standard, and where I am in Canada old Oliver parts are not common. Not to say they are imposible to find it is just that they are usually order only and of course you pay darned dear for them. If I was restoring a Farmall H I could do it for less money.

So add to your list of considerations - rarety in your area.

By the way, so far I don't have much invested ($700 Canadian) but I don't have much done either.

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kyhayman

08-08-2003 04:08:28

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

I try to buy, 'recondition' for service, use for a couple of years, then sell. Usually try to spend less than a thousand on the unit including paint. Got hammered on a 1410 Case though. Had to put and engine, injector pump, clutch, turbo, and tires. Spent $5000 for it, put $5000 in it. No way I can come out on it. JUst have to keep using it and grin.

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Dean Barker

08-07-2003 20:24:00

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

I bought my 1973 Oliver 1655 for $2500. Tin was fair but not well cared for. New rear tires, new front rims, new clutch and pressure plate, over/under parts, rebuilt radiator, all new fluids, new seat, some new lights, new muffler, new front wheel bearings, and clean up and paint cost $5200 not including my labor. This spring the crankshaft broke. Total cost for rebuilding the engine including used crank ground .010 under, new sleeves and pistons, new bearings, balance, line bored, decked, new valves, guides, seats, gaskets, rebuilt water pump, rebuilt injection pump, new injectors, rebuilt alternator and starter was $5600 not including my labor. I have $13,300 invested, but I use it on the farm for planting, spraying, cultivating, hauling grain, and around the yard and I really like the tractor. I don't think I could sell it for that much.

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Joe

08-07-2003 19:35:59

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

I'm delighted to see this question come up. I raised this issue on the Ferguson forum some time ago and the members purposely refused to comment, saying they didn't want to divulge such information!! I think it's a very interesting and valuable comparison to make because it gives everyone a yardstick for their own projects and gives beginners an idea of what they may be up against.

I have a Ferguson 40 that I purchased at an auction which subsequently has had an engine overhaul, new fenders, grill, lighting harness, rear axle seals, ignition and a complete paint job. I have about $8,500 invested. Will I ever get that back? No, pretty unlikely.

If you review the 4-H and FFA tractor projects at your local or state fairs, those that include costs of the projects are usually in the $5,000-$10,000 range.

Granted, a lot depends on what you start with but just about any tractor over 40 years old that has not been used for some time is going to require a significant investment if you want to truly "restore" it to something close to what it once was.

The simple truth is that a thorough, careful restoration of an old tractor will almost always cost more than it's really worth..... if you don't count the personal satisfaction involved and the pleasure derived from using a tractor you have personally "saved". That personal satisfaction, however, is priceless.

Joe

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Tom

08-07-2003 19:28:04

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

Depends upon your definition of "restored". Some people just fix the obvious things broken, paint, and call it "restored". To other people restored means every moving piece disasembled, inspected, reworked, repaired or replaced if any wear from original specs. Most folks don't do that. You are looking at $10,000 per tractor and up if you really put them back into "new as it left the factory" condition. Just to restore the lower end of the engine would require: turned crank, balanced crank, main bearings, rod bearings, rods, wrist pins, pistons, rings, sleeves, etc. Camshaft turned, balanced, etc. Oil pump rebuilt, water pump rebuilt, radiator rodded out or re-cored, new wiring harness, etc. etc.

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Brandon

08-07-2003 18:40:47

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

So far my dad and I have spent $6807 on my John Deere 80. Subtract the purchase price, and I've spent $2207 on parts, and "stuff". And it isn't a finished project yet!

I have a website that describes most of it here

Brandon
My Industrial John Deere website
My JD model 80 website
The LaGrange Engine Club

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howster mighty fine

08-07-2003 17:54:04

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

it is my plan to never get more invested in a tractor, parts and labor that what i can reasonably expect to get in return if i would sell it. But that being said, it is real easy to add up $1000 in just piddly litte stuff, inner tubes, oil & fluids spark plugs, hoses, gaskets, wires, paint, etc. you get the idea.

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Jeff Worthington

08-07-2003 17:29:22

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

It really does depend on starting condition and what you want. I restored an IH H that was my grandpas first tractor, always shedded, and I did it for around 1000, a JD A for about 1500, an IH SMTA for about 1000, another H for 1200 and the JD B I am on now I have almost 2500 in it so far, but it was in a little worse shape than the rest. I believe your biggest expense is in the tires.

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49 Cubber!

08-07-2003 16:49:37

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

My M 4500,no engine work except gaskets and every bearing and seal in the tranny,new tires,fenders,seat and steering wheel.New clutch,PP and throw out bearing!
49 Cub,2300 counting what I paid for it.Had new tires,changed every gasket and seal,needed new hood/tank so not counting what Ipaid for I had around 1000 in it.
39 F-14..... ..... ....yet to come!

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Mike O'rourke

08-07-2003 13:56:29

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Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Nathan, 08-07-2003 13:33:53

It realy depends on how close to original you want to be.

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rustyfarmall

08-07-2003 13:59:15

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Re: Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to Mike O'rourke, 08-07-2003 13:56:29

And what condition it was in when you started.

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RDwv

08-07-2003 18:39:09

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Re: Re: Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to rustyfarmall, 08-07-2003 13:59:15

I have about 4350 in a WD9 that I got from Canada back in Jan from a real honest fellow by the name of Hank. I paid 700 for it. I still have the cosmetic to do yet. But I'm loving every minute of it!

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kydirtfarmer

08-08-2003 04:12:06

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Re: Re: Re: Re: What's Your Restoration Cost? in reply to RDwv, 08-07-2003 18:39:09

Start with a "complete" tractor, and it'll be easier, and cheaper.(Usually). Then there is the matter of what is "restored". Different people have different idea's. Also to be considered, is what you are going to do with it. Just show means one thing. Using it all the time is another. I don't remember any new tractors in the '50,s, having paint jobs that required you to wear sunglasses. I have restored old and "new" tractors. One for a "show tractor", and many for everyday use. A tractor that I'm re-building/restoring for my own everyday use gets more time, and cash. I have a 4440 with 2600hrs, I have about $21,000 in it. It isn't worth that much to SELL, but It's "new" from front to back. Over $9000 is in parts. Same goes with my 2440. I've got $5000 more than it's worth, but it's in better shape than when it was new. That was a $8,000 "resoration". My fathers 1957 MF 50, an ongoing project, has seen so much labor/time that it would be impossible to estimate. (Any time I can) It still needs a complete engine over-haul(I think that it earned this one. 11,700hrs.) The sheet-metal will be painted soon. With all things accounted for, I started with a complete tractor (Right out of the field) and will spend nearly $5500. It all depends on what you consider "restored"

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