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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Value of the big steam tractors ?

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Way Up Here

09-02-2004 10:58:08




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I have a friend of mine who just returned from a trip into British Columbia and he came across a fellow who has two old steam tractors and he might be selling them sometime soon. One is a Sawyer Massey while the other is a Thomas Goodis Threshing Co. unit. He doesn't know the size rating other than they are BIG ones. Both are complete, have been stored under roof, and have been fired up (but not certified) in the past few years. What kind of money do these things go for on the market? Obviously there aren't too many sold so I thought that maybe somebody here might have seen something lately and give a guy a ballpark figure of their value.

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The Ol' Operator

09-02-2004 12:41:30




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-02-2004 10:58:08  
Agree with you Glenn/Mn. And by the way, if they don't have rivets, they aren't "old".



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Red Dave

09-02-2004 11:51:11




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-02-2004 10:58:08  
Just about imposible to say from afar. Size, location, rarity of the particular model all enter into it, but the big thing is condition of the boiler. Boiler repairs are a HUGE cost if needed. Lack of recent inspection doesn't mean the boiler is bad, but it doesn't inspire confidence either.

Boiler inspectors here have gotten very picky ever since the boiler explosion in Ohio a few years ago, I know of boilers that used to pass, but can't since they tightened up the rules.

Steam engines aren't for everybody. They are high maintenance and a constant cost to the owner. Upkeep, repairs, insurance all are a drain on the bank account and if the inspector says to fix something, you have to do it or you can't use it with the public present in this state. Doesn't matter to the inspector how much it costs.
You can't move it with a flat trailer and a pick-up like you can some tractors either.

I personally know two guys who hauled a big (106 HP) Sawyer-Massey here (S.E. Pennsylvania) all the way from western Canada. In a snowstorm too. So there is demand for those traction engines. Tell your friend not to scrap them. I'm guessing anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, maybe higher if they are considered rare.

I get a magazine devoted to steam traction engines called "Steam Traction". Used to be called "Iron-Man Album". Lots of classified ads in there that may give an idea what your friends are worth. Or he could place an ad and see what happens.

Here's a link:

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Nebraska Cowman

09-02-2004 11:16:30




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-02-2004 10:58:08  
I'd guess in the 5-20K range. Get in touch with some of the big steam clubs in your area. Maybe you could talk someone into going with you to look at them. That's what I would do. Some states allow clubs to do their own inspection.



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buickanddeere

09-02-2004 11:05:30




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to Way Up Here, 09-02-2004 10:58:08  
New boilers that have passed inspection sometime? Or the old origional rivited boilers? It they are, the owner may have to pay to have the steamers taken away.



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Glenn/Mn

09-02-2004 12:31:36




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to buickanddeere, 09-02-2004 11:05:30  
Pay to have them hauled away? you have got to be kiding, the demand is so high right know it is unreal, I have tried to buy several engines even in the last few months that have brough way more than you would think with a boiler condition unknown, how much are they worth my quess is that if they are plowing engines you dont have enough money. Junk $5000, good #18,000 min, Excellant to restored $30,000 Min you find them for less call me!

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cdmn

09-06-2004 19:53:05




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 Re: Value of the big steam tractors ? in reply to Glenn/Mn, 09-02-2004 12:31:36  
Some of the biggest shows in Canada don't allow traction engines to be fired up unless they have new welded boilers to latest specs. They are also threatening to regulate the equipment downstream from the main line. (They are afraid of heat exchangers, valves, pumps, or cylinders going high order.) I think Saskatoon, which had a large collection, has only one engine with a new boiler. Can't afford any more. This might be more a case of state-owned museum putting up feeble resistance to bureaucratic nervousnous instead of private owners lobbying for their own interest. Very hard to limit paranoia.

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