Keep or sell tractor

BnB

We have a tractor on the farm. It is a fairly decent condition 04 Zetor with a good front loader and tine grab. I reckon it is worth around €15-€20k.

We leased out the farm this year for 5 years and we're happy with that decision - It's going great. At the time we leased it out, my Mam said we'll hold onto the tractor for a while and see. (My Dad unfortunately passed away 2 years ago - I live next door to my Mam & the farm)

My Dad bought the Tractor not long before he passed away. My Mam is still paying the bank off some money on it. It's not much but I'd say she owes about €5k now. I don't think she's under any pressure as leasing the place out really tidied things up.

I still do a few bits with the tractor. I have one small field around the house that I held onto that I do a few bits with and I'm cutting a bit of timber. But I don't think I am doing enough with the tractor to justify keeping it. I would certainly like to keep A tractor, but I think the one I have is too good. The Battery is gone flat now from lack of use and the lift is gone stiff and I can just see more things going wrong with it in time which would be a shame considering it is in good condition now. I think the best thing to do would be to sell the tractor and buy something smaller and older in good condition. That way, yes, I will still have to deal with a few flat batteries etc, but I won't be feeling bad about a valuable asset of my Mams just devaluing away for nothing.

I think I should sell the tractor and buy something for about €6-7k. I would give my Mam about €10k back in cash so she could clear the bank and have something left over. I think my Mam would probably rather sell it but she doesn't really mind too much either way and she has left it up to me.

What do you think ?

Floki

You know your own financial position but would buying a cheaper tractor not be buying trouble for yourself?
Even if you are only trucking around on it.
Who knows what regulations about old tractors could come in in the future.

Don't know much about the zetor either to advise on them as a brand/model.
For the battery going flat disconnect the earth lead and/or fit a cut off switch (these should be on every tractor).

orm0nd

perhaps your mum might wish to hold the tractor for sentimental reasons since your dad bought it.

if money isn't an issue I wouldn't force the sale until you know the full facts,

as said an isolation switch or a cheap battery charger would sort the battery & don't know about the lift but maybe a squirt of wd40 in the right place if it's levers only

cute geoge

You have no business of that tractor but not that easy to get massive money either selling private All you need is a tractor like a 135 ,that will start when you need with little maintenance .I would say advertitise your own tractor but be prepared to hold tough until you get a price you are happy with and if that fails you could try where you bought it and they will get a buyer for commision

BnB

Thanks for the replies. No sentimental value in the tractor really - Mam doesn't mind at all if I sell it.

Cut off Switch is a good idea - I should have it done it before this. Something like this.... ?

https://www.adverts.ie/alarms-security/battery-cut-off-isolator-switch-car-tractor-digger-van/11926576

Willfarman

In your position I'd sell it to clear the finance and buy a ford 4600 and loader or similar sub 5000 euro.

Who2

I worked in a house a few weeks back where this elderly woman had the cleanest most original 35x I'd ever seen parked up in the corner of her garage. Of course I pleaded with her to sell it but she wouldn't. The tractor hadn't been out since 1981. But as she told me about her grandchild getting it and talked about her late husband I just realized all the money in the world wouldnt have let her part with it. Now while I know 8-10k would be nice to get whether it's needed or not would being able to maybe tell your own kids about your father buying it not be worth a lot more. I say keep it, mind it and it won't loose money

BnB

Who2 wrote: »

I worked in a house a few weeks back where this elderly woman had the cleanest most original 35x I'd ever seen parked up in the corner of her garage. Of course I pleaded with her to sell it but she wouldn't. The tractor hadn't been out since 1981. But as she told me about her grandchild getting it and talked about her late husband I just realized all the money in the world wouldnt have let her part with it. Now while I know 8-10k would be nice to get whether it's needed or not would being able to maybe tell your own kids about your father buying it not be worth a lot more. I say keep it, mind it and it won't loose money

I hear you - But the fact that he had only bought it recently we don't have any particular emotional attachment to it. If it was something he had for 20 years, we might think differently. There is plenty more on the farm that I would be much more attached to. For example, I have an old 93 Pajero of his, and no matter what happens, I'll never sell that.

da gamer

Get rid of her to be ****ed.

Odelay

BnB wrote: »

I hear you - But the fact that he had only bought it recently we don't have any particular emotional attachment to it. If it was something he had for 20 years, we might think differently. There is plenty more on the farm that I would be much more attached to. For example, I have an old 93 Pajero of his, and no matter what happens, I'll never sell that.

Exactly, hold onto the pajero that your dad spent hours with. The zetor he had shirts longer than that, so no emotional attachment.

greysides

da gamer wrote: »

Get rid of her to be ****ed.

Mod: Not really the standard of post we expect in this forum!

SmartinMartin

You have no need anymore for a heavy duty machine. Sell her while she's good, pay off the balance and as already suggested buy a good 135. GLWS.

kollegeknight

SmartinMartin wrote: »

You have no need anymore for a heavy duty machine. Sell her while she's good, pay off the balance and as already suggested buy a good 135. GLWS.

This times a thousand.

I had to sell all our tractors when dad died so I could gather cash to have a working tractor. But I kept his digger and I was offered more for it than two tractors combined for it but there was sentiment there and I kept it.

I ended up buying a case 785 and a 135. Such a great tractor and I have great love for it.

Your Mam doesn’t need to be paying off a loan for a tractor she has no gra for.

Either way, best of luck with it.

orm0nd

BnB wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. No sentimental value in the tractor really - Mam doesn't mind at all if I sell it.

Cut off Switch is a good idea - I should have it done it before this. Something like this.... ?

https://www.adverts.ie/alarms-security/battery-cut-off-isolator-switch-car-tractor-digger-van/11926576

that's a good switch or if access to the battery isn't easy something like this

https://www.dhfarmmachinery.com/products/cut_off_isolation_switch_2303.html?name=switch&type=combined

could be fitted on 1 of the panels,

I just mentioned about that other matter 'cos I know of a case when an un needed tractor is held because it belonged to a deceased family member , no other reason

longgonesilver

Don't forget to factor in the tax situation when making the sale.

BnB

Thanks to all for the feedback. I think I will give it a good power hose during the Christmas and get it up on Donedeal in January and see how it goes.

When buying something, I'd like something that will comfortably carry a bale of Silage (I'd give a hand drawing bales in the Summer) and I kind of do need to a 4 wheel drive. I could probably survive without it as I'm not doing much, but places are high around here and if I ever did need to do anything you need it to be safe.

What are the older smaller Case's like ? Something like this.... https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-985-turbo/17470139

orm0nd

BnB wrote: »

Thanks to all for the feedback. I think I will give it a good power hose during the Christmas and get it up on Donedeal in January and see how it goes.

When buying something, I'd like something that will comfortably carry a bale of Silage (I'd give a hand drawing bales in the Summer) and I kind of do need to a 4 wheel drive. I could probably survive without it as I'm not doing much, but places are high around here and if I ever did need to do anything you need it to be safe.

What are the older smaller Case's like ? Something like this.... https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-985-turbo/17470139

seller didn't get too close with camera, looks like it needs a set of tyres, & a windscreen as stated , no pics of interior

BnB

orm0nd wrote: »

seller didn't get too close with camera, looks like it needs a set of tyres, & a windscreen as stated , no pics of interior

Fair enough - But I don't necessarily mean that exact one. Just in general what are those Case's like. Are they reliable - Are the hydraulics good etc ?

emaherx

BnB wrote: »

Thanks to all for the feedback. I think I will give it a good power hose during the Christmas and get it up on Donedeal in January and see how it goes.

When buying something, I'd like something that will comfortably carry a bale of Silage (I'd give a hand drawing bales in the Summer) and I kind of do need to a 4 wheel drive. I could probably survive without it as I'm not doing much, but places are high around here and if I ever did need to do anything you need it to be safe.

What are the older smaller Case's like ? Something like this.... https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/case-985-turbo/17470139

It's beging to sound like you should keep the one you have! You want to get an older more abused 4wd tractor capable of comfortably handling a round bale of silage?

You probably won't get as much as you think the tractor is worth selling privately on DoneDeal. You don't know what trouble you are buying with the replacement.

maidhc

SmartinMartin wrote: »

You have no need anymore for a heavy duty machine. Sell her while she's good, pay off the balance and as already suggested buy a good 135. GLWS.

The cheapest tractor you can buy is the one you already own... I don't agree at all. The existing tractor will last forever if it isn't used much. A 135 isn't much use in 2017 except for very light work.

SmartinMartin

In the op's first post it sounded like all he would be doing was light work such as cutting a bit of timber like I do with my own, and that's what I based my opinion on. However he has since thrown in high ground, 4WD capability and carrying round bales, so you could well be right.

BnB

I see what you are saying. To be fair, it is myself who is muddying the waters here.

I would like something a bit stronger than a 135. But I think it is the 4X4 that is really pushing up the price of what I am looking for and realistically, I don't need it.