TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum

Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

Brad

02-02-2004 19:39:18

Report to Moderator

I was wondering if it bothers anybody else that it seems perfectly good Farmalls are being dismantled and sold for parts. I saw on eBay parts for a tractor that was advertised as being in good running condition before being parted. At this rate will we run out of antique tractors? Is there more money is parting a tractor rather than restoring it for resell? Call me naive!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jonathan Mirgon

02-03-2004 16:06:48

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

I would say that there is indeed more money in parting one out than restoring. I have a 1940 (a) that I have restored , I have about 4,500.00 invested and I would probably be extremely luck to get 3,000 for it if I sold it.I think in any good restoration that it would be tough to break even let alone make money. And the 4,500 I have invested does not include any labor ! In my opinion the more they part out/ the less there are/ = the more our restored antiques are worth. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

parts man

02-03-2004 16:04:16

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

I guess that I come in on both sides of this story,, I restore Farmall tractors, and part out any kind I can get ahold of at the right price. The right price varies by condition and make. Often times we will pay more for a tractor for parts than most others around here would to run or retsore it. We have parted out quite a few very good looking tractors, and seemingly good running tractors too, only to be surprised by how bad a condition the bearings or other internals were! We guarentee every thing we sell, so are hesitant to sell a complete tractor. It's much easier to waranty a $200-$300 part than a $2000-$3000 tractor. Also, it only takes one dis-satisfied customer to damage a reputation we work very hard to build. I don't think we could get our money back out of any of the tractors we've restored, let alone make a profit, and that would not be counting labour either!!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Yoda the tractor splitter

02-03-2004 15:50:00

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Im refurbishing a M right now for resale and then Im driving a good running M in the shop and parting her out. Example #1 I was trying to sell JD B for $450. I coulnt give it away. I then parted it out and made around $1400. I also had an M I coulndnt give any so I parted her and shes made about $600 so far. The parts selling helps fund the future restorations.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dave 2N

02-03-2004 15:00:01

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Yup! It's happening.
Know a guy with an extensive JD bone yard who parts out nice tractors. Says he can make more money by "...just knockin' 'em in the head."

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Tractor Dan

02-03-2004 14:29:53

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

well i went to a tractor junk yard in ny a while back to get a lower radiator support for a cub when i got there they had just braught the cub in from on a truck this thing was in beutifull original condition the original paint was not worn off the pedals the tractor i bet did not have 100 hours on it i tried to buy the whole tractor before they even unloaded it but they would not sell a complete tractor becouse they could make so much off of parts i offered $2500 cash for this tractor becouse of the shape it was in needless to say i came home with the radiator support it made me want to cry to see such a nice tractor be dismanteled

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

DON

02-03-2004 13:48:06

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

About 20 years ago I went with friend who had small salvage yard to look at SM. This tractor had good paint, good tires, power steering, 3 point hitch, live hydraulics, the works. He bought tractor for $400 and I drove it about 3 miles back to his yard. Tractor drove and sounded perfect but was blowing blue smoke 2days later he had sold power steering and hydraulics for a profit and still had rest of tractor. Many thousands more good tractors have gone this way.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Joe Evans

02-03-2004 11:29:23

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Yes, good tractors are being parted out due to economics. I asked this question to a tractor salvage dealer that we have dealt with. He told me there's no money in whole tractors. I asked him if he felt bad about doing this, and he admitted he did have some guilt pangs about it but added that at least this way he can keep the ones running that people still love. I thought that to be a great answer.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

CNKS

02-03-2004 07:43:39

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

I don't disagree with any of the previous posts. I hate to see a tractor parted out, but have bought parts from salvage that obviously came from parted out tractors--this is how salvage yards and others make their money. There is no profit in a restoration, unless it is a relatively rare tractor such as a SMTA or SMDTA, even then it is borderline, unless someone is really willing to pay top dollar for a rare tractor. As a hobby restoration eats money, rather than makes it. So, the answer to your second question is obviously yes, to your first one, probably not.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

jdemaris

02-03-2004 05:37:35

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

I've seen many good tractors get sold to parts dealers. It's simple economics. When I worked for a Deere dealer, half our trade-ins went to tractor salvage yards although most times they were good running tractors. Salvage yards paid more money than we could sell them to individuals - considering in order to sell them they had to be checked over and gone through first. $50 an hour shop labor plus parts adds up fast. On a sadder note is our local scrap metal yard. I've seen countless good running machines get scrapped - and I mean destroyed, not salvaged. A few months ago, I was there when someone brought in an old Cat D4 with pony motor - drove it right off the trailer. Also had an Allis H3 dozer with 6-way blade, also running. Both sold for scrap by the pound and destroyed. Same goes for old cars, trucks, motorcylces, and shop equipment. National Guard brought down a load of military generators with Continental and Leroy engines. They looked to be old but unused; in practically new condition. The guys that brought them had to stand by and make sure all was crushed before they left - to make sure no "civilians" got them. I went back later and salvaged parts. I also came by shortly after the N.Y.D.O.T. (New York State Department of Transportation) had cleaned out a few of their automotive machine shops and dumped off a pile of drill presses and half a dozen Sioux valve refacers, Sioux valve seat cutter kits, and a few large cartons of brand new, unopened - still in factory wrapping - Sioux stones and dressing diamonds. I managed to take some of the stuff home, damaged but repairable. The scrap yard is a goldmine for collectors, but unfortunately, the owner - as he told me - is prohibited by law against reselling anything to individuals. He's let me take a few things by simply bringing scrap and trading, pound for pound.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

02-03-2004 19:43:48

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantl in reply to jdemaris, 02-03-2004 05:37:35

Whoever told you that he can't sell you stuff is full or crap. The local yard here in Ohio has a sign right inside the office "anything in this yard is for sale--steel price is 17 cents per pound. Considering scrap is usually a lot less than a penny a pound if your selling that is quite a mark up! Last time I was there I saw a pickup load of steel plate, U beems, box tubing, rod, etc. that I would have liked to have for welding projects. I also see a lot of Corn planter frames, disks, sickle mowers, hay rakes, etc. cut up and thrown on the pile. Seems like such a shame to me....

Mike

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

jdemaris

02-04-2004 07:13:26

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dism in reply to FM, 02-03-2004 19:43:48

Maybe you're right, maybe not. This is New York State, not Ohio. I've known the owner of the scrapyard for 30 years; that's the only reason I ever get anything. Generally, it's closed to the public unless you've been on the scales and you're binging in scrap. He (the owner) explained to me that it was a state sales tax problem with reselling to the public and that's just for scrap. As I understand it, it gets a lot worse if you're in the salvage business; that's why so many salvage yards are vanishing around here.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Ron

02-03-2004 07:40:33

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantl in reply to jdemaris, 02-03-2004 05:37:35

I have a "Blue Point ( Snap-On ) valve grinder and refacer.. I have trouble finding stones for it..would there be any chance I would find that Sioux stones would fit..?? I was told that Black and Decker stones would fit...never found any that did..!! Thanks... Ron.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

John in NE

02-03-2004 04:32:58

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Parting one out is not always a bad thing,one dismantled tractor may supply parts for 20+ tractors. Sending one to the crusher,now that would be a crime!John

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Nebraska Cowman

02-03-2004 04:23:45

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

I am parting out two Ms and when I add up the sales it does surprise me. these were both stuck tractors. somehow i just don't have the heart to tear up one that is running. In fact, even now I am putting a Farmall Regular together out of parts.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Hugh MacKay

02-03-2004 03:35:53

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Brad: No I don't think we will run out of antique tractors. Once the number reach a certain level the demand for parts will disappear as well. It is a balancing item. Right now a lot of people seem to be looking for parts. The biggest problem with this is lack of patience. Michaels post proves this, a couple of the items mentioned cost as much as his tractor. The hard fact on all of this is people part with their money much too easily today. This is why I keep three tractors very much the same. You never need to be in a hurry for parts. In fact one of my tractors has been into and out of the parts tractor catergory 3 times in past 10 years. This winter I am using that tractor to plow snow with. I have 3 on different ocasions robed parts from that tractor to keep another going. Once it was parked for a year, I thought of completely dismantling it, then all of a sudden one day I stumbled onto the parts needed to put tractor back together, and found them at a very reasonable price. In essence we are what drives the tractor part business.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Michael Soldan

02-02-2004 20:25:26

Report to Moderator

Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantled? in reply to Brad, 02-02-2004 19:39:18

Brad, in a nutshell, YES. A thousand dollar tractor can be parted out for several..I have seen some decent looking tractors sitting in a yard waiting to be dismantled..however, there is a great demand for these parts and the perfectly good tractor may end up keeping several others going or help in the restoration of several others, so its not a total loss. Tractor wreckers are reluctant to sell a tractor because they know you will be offended by what they want for it and they know they can make a lot more by parting it out..an example I bought a tractor for $750, a tractor salvage company bought an identical one for a thousand...they told me they will get $400 for the head and $350 for the pump..they have the rest of the tractor to sell, rims, used tires, starter, alt,water pump, block,axles, brake parts front end, sheet metal,fenders, dash components, lights etc,etc...saw an Oliver Diesel waiting in line..felt bad about it, but then I felt good about being handed a wrench and told to help myself with whatever I wanted of of an H...that's the way it is...Mike in Exeter Ontario

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

scruffy

02-02-2004 20:38:35

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dismantl in reply to Michael Soldan, 02-02-2004 20:25:26

I maybe doing it wrong but I could never get back what I put into a restoraton. I restored an "H" and stoppped counting the dollars at $5000 not including purchase price of 1800 or time. I did everything myself except machining. I am absolutly dismayed to see a good farmall go to parts but realize that some must be sacrificed to keep the others going. It is also very encouraging to see the ever increasing availibility of good after-market parts so we don't always have to scavange to restore.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Michael Soldan

02-03-2004 04:53:45

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being dism in reply to scruffy, 02-02-2004 20:38:35

Scruffy, I don't think anyone was talking about chopping up a "restored" tractor, but I have seen lots of good looking, good running tractors sitting in a row awaiting dismantling and wonder why someone wasn't restoring them, but one man's junk is anothers treasure...someone was glad to get rid of that old piece of junk for a few hundred dollars.....Mike in Exeter Ontario

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

scruffy

02-03-2004 05:07:30

Report to Moderator

Re: Re: Re: Re: Are perfectly good tractors being in reply to Michael Soldan, 02-03-2004 04:53:45

His question was "is there more money in chopping and selling vs. restoring and selling", I just don't think you ever get back your investment and make a profit when you do a good restoration, no-one can really pay what is cost.
I quick paint job on a running tractor might be the only way, other than chopping, to make a profit.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy