So, you and your family are at the local antique festival and you spot an antique tractor. You look at it and decide you would like to become the proud owner of one of these beautiful machines.
The first thing you want to do is decide which type of a tractor you would like to own. Maybe you have a particular make of tractor in mind. There are many to choose from like Farmall, Ford, and Massey-Harris, etc. You may want to check out your local library for some books covering different manufacturers. “The Encyclopedia of American Farm Tractors” by C. H. Wendal is a good one with lots of pictures to help you decide.
The next thing you need to know is the value of the machine you want. One John Deere 1010 Crawler from 1966 could be worth as much as $3000, but a 1010 Special from the same year may only be valued at $500. The sales price of an antique tractor is often largely influenced by the state or county in which the machine is being sold.
Last but not least, you are going to want to know the proper terms and terminology when you are “talking tractor”. If you know the difference between a Bush Hog and a Butterfly, you stand a greater chance of getting a good deal. If you plan on restoring your tractor, you will need an understanding of the lingo in order to use the repair manual.
The best antique buff is an informed one, so study up at you local library before you head out with your pockets full and you should be fine.
Thu, Feb 14, 2008
Buying, Machinery