Career in old tractors....

The Shmunk · Nov 16, 2009

Is it possible by buying and selling, or buying, fixing and selling, or buying and parting out, to make money in old tractors? I understand that things are pretty slow everywhere, people arent spending money, and that the second you put any kind of time, parts and labor into a tractor, the profit margin goes down (depending on what it is you do to it). I have 4 old tractors right now, if i had to sell all of them, i would probably be very lucky to break even o n what i have into them. well, thats my random thought for the day, time to get back to work!

John T · Nov 16, 2009

Id think it would be TOUGH today...Most of the old tractors that used to be out behind barns or in fence rows have all been bought up,,,,,,,one would have to drive alllllllllll over the country to auctions or for sale adds and locals will be there who can give more then an out of town speculator,,,,,,,,most know what they are worth nowadays......... I was a successful tractor jockey dealer wayyyyyyy back in the sevetnies and eighties with an implememt truck n goin to auctions all over but tis a different world today

Dont let my pessimism discourage you, however, Im kind of an old fuddy duddy n grouchy old man it seems and I enjoy every minute of it lol

Ol John T

Anonymous-0 · Nov 16, 2009

I do some of this and would hate to rely on it to make a living, simply because it's so infrequent that I find one at a price that I could repair then expect to make any money on.

Used parts on the other hand is quite another story, if you had a suitable (large) building that would let you dismantle and categorize parts, good reference books, this fits that and so on, I could see where that would do well. You will probably sit on your money a good while til your name gets out but it could be good if you can still find stuff.

Most definately what I would be doing if I had money to spare for an inventory, there is only 1 farm tractor junkyard within 100 miles of me that I know of, and they dont care whether you buy their part or not, their price is half of new.

Vito · Nov 16, 2009

Parting is where the money is but it is a slow dime as opposed to being a jockey looking for the fast nickel.You also have to know which brand has the demand.

Vito

504-2 · Nov 16, 2009

I can tell you where you can buy the land, buildings, machine shop, trucks and all.

Ric Ks. · Nov 16, 2009

Local tractor recycler buys all the good deals for old tractors and parts them. If they are worn out he passes them by unless they have unusual parts he can peddle. ie. distelate manifold, factory tool box, power steering. When he is at a sale the restorers may as well go home.

BDT in Minnesota · Nov 16, 2009

There are some hidden costs that you will encounter...

These may include local permits to run a salvage or wrecking yard.. The book-keeping and sales tax records and collecting.. Special permits for the storage of old batteries.
a permit to store old tires..Approved Waste oil and anti freeze collection and storage. Commercial insurance and license on your trucks..
Business property insurance.. Forget about the hired help, that opens up a complete additional can of worms.. I made four trips into town last week with scrap iron.. One load included 14 old batteries, a gas tank, and four old rims with tires on them. The Scrap dealer and I are both a couple of gabbers, so he filled me in on a bunch of rules that apply to his operation... I know that a few years back, his permits and insurance increased by over $6,000 in a single year period..That is crazy, as it is just him and a limited partner that run the small operation.. Part of this may be the reason that there are not an abundance of small wrecking yards around the country... Personally, I would just do this as sort of an enjoyable hobby..

Rick(MN) · Nov 16, 2009

Have bought and sold for years. Getting tougher to buy right all the time and the common stuff isnt worth near what it was a few years back. Makes for nice spending money but wouldnt want to make it my bread and butter.

ericlb · Nov 16, 2009

no and it should remain that way unlike old cars , trucks, airplanes, ect, olt tractors are where the regular folks can have fun , enjoy the hobby without breaking ther bank, well unless you bleed a certain color of green lol, once the rich become involved in it the prices become redicioulosly high [ look at barrett jackson for cars,] and the common man is left out-again, currently you can restore the family tractor yourself, and have in it slightly more than its worth, making it a labor of love, and memories, not a money maker , for example if you go drag that old farmall M out of the back 40, it may need everything putting it back like new may take 10,000 dollars and its worth 3500 give or take any day, its a hobby lets leave it alone

GeneMO · Nov 16, 2009

I would say find three or four good looking women and become a pimp.

That is where the money is at.

But I am only guessing.

Gene

Anonymous-0 · Nov 16, 2009

Buying, reconditioning, and selling old tractors and making money at it can be challenging in the best of times. Each old tractor being parted out is one more old tractor that will never exist again. And if you think you can make money repairing them for others, think again. Folks with old tractors always complain that your prices are too high, even if you lose money on a job.

Your best bet, if you're convinced you want to do something with old tractors, is to do it for the love of old tractors and not with any idea of getting a return on your investment. Otherwise, you'll join a lot of other fools out there.

Howard H. · Nov 17, 2009

I enjoy old iron as much as anyone, but if I was recommending a good way to make a living in that area (mechanical/overhaul/etc), I'd suggest learning how to rebuild transmissions, work on modern car computer systems, or something like that...

Making money from working on old tractors is about like making money from fishing... There are some around who do, but most just are in it for the fun and definitely DO NOT make a living at it.

For the amount of time & effort you'll put into it, you'd be better off finding a "meat & potatoes" specialty to make money at...

Just my 2 cents...

Howard

Career in old tractors....

The Shmunk

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John T

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Vito

Well-known Member

504-2

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Ric Ks.

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BDT in Minnesota

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Rick(MN)

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ericlb

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GeneMO

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Howard H.

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