What would you do? Fix, sell or both?

[YankeeGirl]

I have 25 year old L4200GST with front end loader. Late last year I REPLACED the engine. The new (Kubota) engine has about 15 hours on it. Now a modulator valve has blown in the transmission hydraulics, and I'm told its $3k just for the part. It's not a functional machine -- it does not move unless it is stone cold, and then it only creeps along, and fails at any incline. For the amount I use it (not much at all), I really can't justify the repair cost on top of last year's engine job ($9k), and was thinking of selling it anyway. Question: if I fixed the hydraulics would I get my money back in selling? Would it be smarter to try just to sell the (practically new) engine, and then the rest for parts? What would you do? (I really do not need to keep the tractor at my age, as little as I do use it.)

 

[Roadworthy]

At $3000 just for the part you have to figure what labor would be to replace it. I think I'd try another source for the part before deciding, but the tractor itself in running shape would probably only fetch $8,000 to $10,000 on the used market. Balance that against what might break next and go from there.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Have no idea about your age, but I'm 70 and still farming with my 2 Kubby's...

I think I'd sell it for parts, you can list it here (classified) or on CL or even Flea Bay.

 

[D2Cat]

Can you find an independent mechanic that can give you another estimate of cost to repair? How did you come to the conclusion of the modulator valve needing replaced?

Some mechanics are less then honest, and then when a woman needs help they presume they don't know much about mechanical things and WAY overcharge for parts and labor. And some of it may not even be needed. Be aware!

 

[SDT]

I have 25 year old L4200GST with front end loader. Late last year I REPLACED the engine. The new (Kubota) engine has about 15 hours on it. Now a modulator valve has blown in the transmission hydraulics, and I'm told its $3k just for the part. It's not a functional machine -- it does not move unless it is stone cold, and then it only creeps along, and fails at any incline. For the amount I use it (not much at all), I really can't justify the repair cost on top of last year's engine job ($9k), and was thinking of selling it anyway. Question: if I fixed the hydraulics would I get my money back in selling? Would it be smarter to try just to sell the (practically new) engine, and then the rest for parts? What would you do? (I really do not need to keep the tractor at my age, as little as I do use it.)

I would likely cut my losses and sell it for parts.

GST transmissions are expensive to repair and few are qualified to work on such.

Buy another, new or used, if you need one.

SDT

 

[GreensvilleJay]

well there's lots of ways to look at this dilemma...and I know you're sitting on the poity party of the fence..
1st, you put 9K into it last year so back then it was worth fixing...but that money doesn't 'count'
2nd, 3k in parts, maybe 2K labour (??) is still cheaper than last year,gets it RUNNING
3rd what's it worth 'asis' ? Maybe scrap+10% as NOTHING cept engine can be checked out
4th how many hours on it ? 250, 2500, ???
I seriously doubt you could buy the equal of it for $5K...possible repair cost. THAT is the real number you need to think about. Forget about the 9K LAST YEAR..that's 'old money', gone...... It obviously has(had) value as you spent money on it last year.
As a comparison, I've got a very rare '97 F150 and I can drop $1K a year until I die and STILL be ahead of going out and buying a new 'equal' which curently is north of 42K Canucks.
I have no idea what a busted 1/4 century old tractor will bring in your part of the World, as for the loader, I took two older complet units to scrapyard 2 years ago...ZERO interest in them and cylinders cost 2K to rebuild...now in China I suppose.

 

[PaulL]

Its current value is whatever you could sell the engine and parts for. If you spent $9K on the engine you presumably can get at least half of that back (presuming anybody wants it). But was that $9K for the engine, or $9K including installation? If it included installation, then obviously you won't get the labour back.

As for the rest of it, sometimes people want loaders for those older machines (maybe they have one without a loader), and no doubt there are other salvageable parts. But if you sell it for parts it means either selling the whole machine to someone who'll part it out - you wouldn't get much for that. Or it means keeping it in your back yard and taking parts off to send to someone who wants an individual part. If you're not mechanically minded that's perhaps daunting.

All up, I'd guess you'd get $4-6K for it as-is. Fixing it till it's running you'd maybe get $8-10K (from comments above). Sounds like it'd cost at least $4K to get it running, plus messing around, time, stress and risk. I'd probably list it for sale and see if you can get $6K as-is. If not, then consider whether you want to fix it and try to sell it in running condition, or fix it and drive it until it next breaks.

To me old tractors (and other old vehicles) are really for people who like fixing machinery and can fix them themselves. If you've got to pay someone to maintain them, then you either need a lot of money or you should buy a newer machine that's unlikely to break.

 

[YankeeGirl]

Have no idea about your age, but I'm 70 and still farming with my 2 Kubby's...

I think I'd sell it for parts, you can list it here (classified) or on CL or even Flea Bay.

i'm just a spring chicken (65) but i hardly use it for anything anymore except cleaning out a small animal pen in springtime, moving the occasional large stone and bush hogging which I can hire done for way less than I've spent on maintenance ) I like your idea. I will investigate. thanks.

 

[YankeeGirl]

I would likely cut my losses and sell it for parts.

GST transmissions are expensive to repair and few are qualified to work on such.

Buy another, new or used, if you need one.

SDT

duly noted. makes sense to me. thanks for taking the time.

 

[YankeeGirl]

At $3000 just for the part you have to figure what labor would be to replace it. I think I'd try another source for the part before deciding, but the tractor itself in running shape would probably only fetch $8,000 to $10,000 on the used market. Balance that against what might break next and go from there.

that's the local consensus too -- i wish i had fix-it skills for this kind of thing but i don't, so ...

thanks for your thoughts. )

 

[YankeeGirl]

well there's lots of ways to look at this dilemma...and I know you're sitting on the poity party of the fence..
1st, you put 9K into it last year so back then it was worth fixing...but that money doesn't 'count'
2nd, 3k in parts, maybe 2K labour (??) is still cheaper than last year,gets it RUNNING
3rd what's it worth 'asis' ? Maybe scrap+10% as NOTHING cept engine can be checked out
4th how many hours on it ? 250, 2500, ???
I seriously doubt you could buy the equal of it for $5K...possible repair cost. THAT is the real number you need to think about. Forget about the 9K LAST YEAR..that's 'old money', gone...... It obviously has(had) value as you spent money on it last year.
As a comparison, I've got a very rare '97 F150 and I can drop $1K a year until I die and STILL be ahead of going out and buying a new 'equal' which curently is north of 42K Canucks.
I have no idea what a busted 1/4 century old tractor will bring in your part of the World, as for the loader, I took two older complet units to scrapyard 2 years ago...ZERO interest in them and cylinders cost 2K to rebuild...now in China I suppose.

yeah getting over that Sunk Cost hurdle is PAINFUL!! but you are of course right. ... the 9K was a close call -- i almost didn't but it was the first and only superserious mechanical issue in 25 years. i kinda felt i "owed it" another chance. but if i'm honest, i really shouldnt have -- i just don't use it enough anymore.

 

[YankeeGirl]

Can you find an independent mechanic that can give you another estimate of cost to repair? How did you come to the conclusion of the modulator valve needing replaced?

Some mechanics are less then honest, and then when a woman needs help they presume they don't know much about mechanical things and WAY overcharge for parts and labor. And some of it may not even be needed. Be aware!

yeah -- that Woman Thing has been an issue my whole working life -- of course you find workarounds and trustworthy folks, but sheesh why should we have to put in any extra effort beyond what anyone would? Anyway... i've had three different mechanics look it over. Even consulted Kubota, who were initially stumped by the symptoms for three days. One was the dealer's guy but these folks have worked on it for years and knew my whole family and have always done right by us, and by me personally. The other two are local guys, not kubota specialists, but long long experience with all sorts of tractors, and also neighbors. like anything, it's about being vigilant and trying to get up to speed on these things yourself. Thanks for the advice.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, been mulling this 'rock and a hard place' dilemma.... Any chance there's a very similar tractor like yours, say with a blown engine ? It might be less to put your engine onto the other than spend $$ to repair yours. You'd also have a lot of spare parts like rad,electrical, tires, etc. I'm guilty of that.....buy a parts tractor,get it running,then having to buy another parts tractor,...so far 4 in the drive shed....

 

[Palmettokat]

If the Kubota dealership is really a friend then they should be able to provide you with a list of models your front end loader and new engine will fit. That will at least allow you to market them for those models, much bigger market then the single model you have them in and on.

As to why anyone tries to cheat a woman or anyone different than themselves, speaks volumes to their lack of honesty. If you will cheat my wife, daughter you will cheat anyone..

 

[D2Cat]

As to why anyone tries to cheat a woman or anyone different than themselves, speaks volumes to their lack of honesty. If you will cheat my wife, daughter you will cheat anyone..

Some auto dealerships have weekly meetings coaching their techs on how to find additional work for the shop. This coaching is what leads to testing the limits of what's safe or what needs replaced.

I made an appointment to get the oil changed in my wife's car. I told her if they suggested anything needs replaced/fixed to have it written down and if needed we'd make another appointment. Sure enough, they said she needed new tires. Made her feel like she may not make it home safely. It was pure BS. Good Michelin tires that went safely another year!

Palmettokat, I'd highly recommend you school the females in your family of the methods they will face when having their automobiles worked on. Sad, but true!

As the OP mentioned find some who treats you right, is honest and fair, and stick with them.

 

[YankeeGirl]

hmm, been mulling this 'rock and a hard place' dilemma.... Any chance there's a very similar tractor like yours, say with a blown engine ? It might be less to put your engine onto the other than spend $$ to repair yours. You'd also have a lot of spare parts like rad,electrical, tires, etc. I'm guilty of that.....buy a parts tractor,get it running,then having to buy another parts tractor,...so far 4 in the drive shed....

ha ha! just what I need -- another clutter coffin in my barn! But seriously: i hadn't thought of that and will look about to see if it makes sense. Thanks for the idea!

 

[ccoon520]

You may be able to find a used or rebuilt part that would be around half the cost of a new one. On something that old putting in a used part would really help with the price gut checks. The hardest part would be that you may have to go to a nonfranchised mechanic. Depending on what the kubota dealer is allowed to install as far as used parts go. If you can find a scrapyard that has a tractor with the same valve a lot of them will remove the part for you and you can pick it up from the front desk.

Granted it may only last 5-10 years rather than the 25 the original did but it would at least get you back up and running and allow you to sell a running tractor instead of a lawn ornament.

 

[GeoHorn]

I think selling it ”as is” ..... is a red herring. The suggestions as to how much you “might” get for it are easy-to-make-anecdotes.... nothing more than hopeful suggestions. If you no longer need a tractor, then offer it for sale at a price that will be FIRM and will pay the for the repair at the Kubota dealer. The buyer and you sign a letter of intent... and the buyer gives you half the sales price now...which you can use to pay the Kubota dealer... and the buyer pays you the rest when the dealer tells you it’s ready for pick-up.

HOwever, if you have ANY use for a tractor...FIX IT using NEW parts only... and enjoy it until you sell it for it’s actual value. (The LAST thing you need is to pay for labor on a used part that fails to do the job.). IMO.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: If you no longer need a tractor, then offer it for sale at a price that will be FIRM and will pay the for the repair at the Kubota dealer.

This could be a disaster for the owner ! Consider the mechanic opens it up and says' well it's worse than I thought...now you need another $4K in parts AND another $2K in labour', Since the owner has already signed a contract for a 'working tractor at $xxxx', you lose. I can't see a buyer signing a contract saying' any additional parts and labour will be paid by the buyer'. Then he loses......
The ONLY way it'd work is IF the mechanic signs the contract that HE will pony up the cash and labour for any additional work. Somehow I don't think THAt will happen.
'Little' things like seals, bearings, some funky clip,etc. can quickly add up to a HUGE bill ! Remember this is a 25 year old tractor and someone said the trannies are a 'nightmare' aka $$$$$$$ to fix.

I try to see every angle I can before pulling the trigger...if you can, wait a bit on this one...I'm still thinking....
Jay

 

[sheepfarmer]

From my perspective as a little old lady, and I have about 10 or 12 years on you, with a small farm, a tractor is really useful when there are heavy things to unload and a little tractor is really handy around the back yard. Unless you are planning on moving, you might have more use for a tractor in the future than you think. Stuff seems to get heavier as time goes by! I traded my Ford 8n in on an L3560 and then a few years later added a little B to blow snow and mow. How you could get to a useable little tractor from your current plight I don't know. What is practical may not always be the most enjoyable. I decided that I wanted to enjoy the next 10 years on my farm, and Kubotas hold their value, so a not unreasonable investment. If you enjoy what you can do with your tractor, trading up to a newer smaller tractor might work out. Or fixing your old one.