Whats it worth? JD Crawler and Tractor

My dad happened to notice a few tractors sitting in the weeds a few towns over where he works. He stopped in, talked to the owner, and took some pictures, and there appears to be an early 40's John Deere B and some sort of similar age range John Deere Crawler (maybe a MC?).

The owner said he would be willing sell them both and gave a price, but they have clearly been sitting for at least a couple of years since they last ran. The crawler supposedly had some sort of wiring problem, and not sure what was wrong with the B (he's an older guy so I'm guessing he might have just had a hard time with hand starting it). He said he told the last guy who asked he'd like $1000 each for them.

My question is, what are they worth? More so for the crawler since I have no experience with them/idea of their value other than some are more sought after than others.

I do like that it does have a blade, just not sure how much it would take to get it running since its been sitting. Also I have heard that the crawlers often have problems with the steering clutches? Correct me if I'm wrong. Anything else to look for? How hard/expensive are parts, and how valuable/desirable is this?

Hoping if we get the crawler to use it for clearing brush and hauling trees out of the woods. Might get the B too to fix up but the crawler is the main interest.

Any advice/opinions on value for the tractor or crawler, especially the crawler would be greatly appreciated. Pictures should be attached.

Thanks,

Matt

$1,000 probably wouldn't be bad for the crawler, even better if the tracks aren't totally trashed. If they are, that'll be pretty spendy. When I used to do track work a few years back, I allegedly bought what I was told was the last available aftermarket track pin and bushing kit for a JD MC and 40 series crawler. I also did a set with JD OEM P&B's, but I think they were around 20 dollars for each pin, and each bushing. It also seems that a lot of the JD M and 40 tractors I did had cracked heads, cracked through the intake and exhaust ports, which would then run down past the pistons and into the oil pan. So, it'd be a good idea to check the oil pan for antifreeze. If you look around, you should be able to find a running B just like that one, only running, for around $1000 or maybe a little less. If that one needs work, it adds up quick sometimes. If it's stuck, I'd say it's a $500, maybe $600 tractor. That's what they would most likely go for around me here in MI

Ross

I'd give a grand right now for the crawler, no questions asked. Probably $500 for the B.

I agree with ben70c on the crawler, 300.00 for the tractor.

For a thous you can get a good B one sold at last auction with real good tires on the rear it went for 450. The crawler depends how much money you have as it could be a huge money pit scrap price would be plenty and what will it cost to move that wont be cheap either

You sure got my interest when you said crawler. I would go talk to the owner and see if he'll lower the price. Getting it out of the brush not running will take some time and cost to the hauler unless you have a strong winch on your trailer. A crawler restored will bring good money. If you want to use it then you have a purpose for it.

Lot of B's out there, ain't worth too much. The MC is desirable with collectors. Maybe Lavoy will chime in here. He has a site, JDcrawlers.com. I know a running driving MC in so so condition can bring 2-3500 without a blade depending on area. I think they top out around 5500 nicely restored although I heard as high as 8500.

Rick

I think I'm going to see if he'd do around 700-800 on the crawler and 400-500 on the B. That is something I can use to my advantage, having to get it out of the brush since it doesn't run, since hopefully he realizes that not many people have the time/equipment to do that. Also it's clear they've been there awhile so its really not like he has a use for them and hopefully he's one to rather see them go to a good home than keep sitting there.

Thanks for all the replies

Around me any bulldozer, crawler has crashed in price and #2 not selling at all (everyone wants an excavator) That looks like an MC if it is 3 roll under carriage not very good to use collector different issue.

(quoted from post at 08:25:35 12/05/16) Around me any bulldozer, crawler has crashed in price and #2 not selling at all (everyone wants an excavator) That looks like an MC if it is 3 roll under carriage not very good to use collector different issue.

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Boy not here, you would think there is gold under the rust!

Rick