Which is best money maker

teachingscience · Mar 9, 2011

Hi all. Since I've been playing and spending money on my toys. Thought it was about time I try to make some money at it also. I have a chance to buy a Ford 861 for $2500 or an 8N for 1100. the 861 looks great, good tires just needs carb work. The 8N needs paint but has very straight sheetmetal. Would be better to replace all rims, I alreay have one rear. Rear tires are usable but not great, front has car tires now. Both run good. Strictly form the profit potential, which do you think has the most potential in SW MO area.

Thanks to all.

RodinNS · Mar 9, 2011

Profit potential? Park yer arse on the sofa and stay there. You won't lose anything on them...

I really can't see making money on them unless you can buy them and hold them as is for the price you want... If the truth were known you could probably make a lot more money on other things with that money in the intervening period...
These old things are more about amusement and a past time than any amount of money you'll ever make on them.

Rod

tjdub · Mar 9, 2011

Usually when you sell them for more money than you put into them it's due to the dollars being worth less

I'm not saying that you can't win, but it's a bit like going to the casino or thermonuclear war. The only way to win is not to play!

Tony in Mass. · Mar 10, 2011

Like Rod said, depends on what you intend to do. I don't know Ford code numbers, but if the big one has live pto and 6 or 8 gears, it is alot more useful around the property, you might never sell it for what you put into it, but it is practical. If you want to 'flip' a tractor, the 8N is easier to sell to an antique collector, parade guy, but probly not likely a serious farmer for what you have in it, especially if the tires and rims are shot. To me, that usually kills a deal. My rule of thumb- if the back tires are no good, maybe better to walk away.

Mike (WA) · Mar 10, 2011

If its strictly a flip, you'll probably do better with the 8N. Its selling at "wholesale" at that price, the 861 is already at "retail".

If you see the N's rear tires as "usable", so will your buyer. Nobody replaces rear tires on a lightly used "antique" anymore unless they're completely shot.

You can put a nice looking paint job on an N in a weekend.

thurlow · Mar 10, 2011

If you want to make serious money, I'd suggest forgetting tractors: there is an economist who frequents these forums and gives great advice about investing your money. He adopts the persona/non de plume of a trucker, but it's easy to see through his "rants" and pick up on his tips. I'm sure he's unbelievably wealthy and hundreds of us can't wait to get his updates on the stock market and the latest oil crisis.............

GeneMO · Mar 10, 2011

I paid $1,300 for a Super H, planning on spending $2,000+ to get it where I want it,,and it will be worth about $2,200 maybe.

Yep, you can really make money on old tractors.

Gene

ericlb · Mar 10, 2011

i like the n's but real world, the 861 is twice the tractor that the 8n is, if your going to work it pick up the 861, unless it has the sos tranny, those are hard to find parts for, and harder still these days to fins anybody who knows how to work on one, the 8n will do ya but it has no live pto or live hydraulics, 26 hp as opposed to 35 to 40 for the 861

BDT in Minnesota · Mar 10, 2011

Sofa?? come on Rod! The soaps on tv will drive him nuts... Go out in the shop and putter around with something; but nail your wallet to the bench first... Heck, if that 861 is close my, offer to repair the carb for a reasonable price.. From experience = you don't have to buy these tractors to enjoy working on them..

dhermesc · Mar 10, 2011

I learned a long time ago you make your money when you buy them, not when you sell them. At those prices there's very little to be made on either one - even if you do all the work yourself. Unless you know a buyer that will take them off your hands without ever putting a wrench to them.

You'll be money ahead deliverying newspapers.

Ray · Mar 10, 2011

The 8n is over priced,the market has dropped on them.It takes a really nice one to bring 2000 now.A good 861 will bring 3500.

DoubleR · Mar 10, 2011

I did that with a Super C a few years ago thinking I could make a buck. Paid 1400 for it. Then put about 2000 into it to get it where I wanted it. I knew there would be no way afterwards I would even get the 3400 back out of it. But I do have a nice tractor that I don't really need but enjoy having.

showcrop · Mar 10, 2011

I'm going to retire at age 45 thanks to his great advice!!!

Fordfarmer · Mar 10, 2011

861 will have 5 speeds, live PTO and hydraulics, and 45 h.p. vs. the 4 speeds and 26 h.p. of the 8N. Money COULD be made on either one, but there'd be a better chance of making money onthe 861. But I wouldn't buy either one, unless you can sit on it until the economy picks up some. Or if you want to use it yourself. 861 is WAY more tractor than the 8N. Having to do rim work would make me very hesitant on the 8N, also.

rrlund · Mar 10, 2011

Geez,where'd his post go from last night? Now there's gonna be another conspiricy rant about how the whole internet is trying to censor him.

rrlund · Mar 10, 2011

Just like everybody else says,I don't know how things are down your way,but those prices are maxed out for those two tractors around here if they were already in good shape.

NY 986 · Mar 10, 2011

That might have been a good strategy 20 years ago but there are way too many compacts out there now with a number of people who would prefer the compact. Those kind of prices he is talking about would have been good (final retail) before the economy slumped in '08.

Which is best money maker

teachingscience

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RodinNS

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tjdub

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Tony in Mass.

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Mike (WA)

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thurlow

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GeneMO

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ericlb

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BDT in Minnesota

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dhermesc

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Ray

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DoubleR

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showcrop

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Fordfarmer

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rrlund

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rrlund

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NY 986

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