[Farmall] when is "too far gone"?

[James Moran]

Guys/Gals-
  As is so often the case, Mike Sloane is spot on.  These  "characters" are strewn across the landscape and (truly) need to go  somewhere/anywhere.  The culprits are, of course, not the tractors  themselves but, rather, the indifference of their former owner.
  If transportation cost and bother were not an issue, I would send them  right down to Mike who would remove what was useable and "scrap metal  value" the balance. ;'-)
  JM

Mike Sloane <mikesloane at verizon.net> wrote:  OK, let me try to be more clear. The tractors that Jim has on hand have 
been partially torn down because something evidently went wrong with the 
engines in the distant past. They have been sitting out in the weather 
for several years with the sheet metal and heads off, parts 
scattered/lost, tires probably beyond salvaging (they had sunk up to 
their axles in mud), etc. So the engines *might* be rebuilt, but more 
than likely they will have other problems that the owner discovered when 
he tore them down and gave up on the machines - spun bearings, cracked 
blocks, split radiators, warped heads, etc.

Now, if the tractors were some unusual make or an uncommon version of a 
popular brand, it is conceivable that restoration might be worth the 
effort, but a common Farmall H or M whose engine, tires, electrical 
system, etc. are junk just doesn't seem worth the effort to make whole 
when you can buy a virtually identical, but sound, equivalent for around 
$1000. He also has a 340 in similar condition, and that might be a more 
attractive candidate for restoration. But I "rescued" a 340 row crop 
whose engine was still buttoned up tight and "ran when parked", and I 
still had to spend a LOT of time and money on all the little things that 
needed attention - replacing missing sheet metal, patching deteriorated 
rims, replacing electrical components, repairing leaking steel hydraulic 
lines, new seat, etc.  
There is no hard and fast rule, but I would say that a 340 with some 
missing pieces is a far different animal from a "plain vanilla" H/M with 
a blown engine and bad tires.

Sure, if it was Grandad's first tractor or the one you grew up with, 
then money many be no object. Or if you just want to brag that you took 
a hunk of rusted metal and made it like it just left the factory, then 
all bets are off. But if you are looking for a working machine to use 
around the place and maybe fix up for parades, then you can do a lot 
better than trying to bring a hulk back from the tractor graveyard.

Mike

soffiler at ct.metrocast.net wrote:
> ----- Original Message Follows -----
> From: Mike Sloane 
> 
>>Based on my own experience, I would suggest the time to
>>make that  determination is when the tractor is worth more
>>in parts than as a whole  machine. When wheel weights are
>>going for $100 each, radiators $300+, a  good head maybe
>>$200, a drawbar $50, and so on, it doesn't take long for 
>>the parts value to add up quickly. A good front axle on a
>>340U is  probably worth over $200, and a decent power
>>steering unit for the same  machine at least that much.
> 
> 
> 
> With all due respect, Mike, I'm not sure that makes sense. 
> If I understand correctly, you're saying that a tractor in
> decent condition (and better) is worth more complete than in
> parts; and at some point as condition deteriorates, the
> complete tractor eventually falls to a value that is less
> than its individual (remaining, good) parts.
> 
> I submit that any tractor, in any condition, is *always*
> worth more in parts than it is complete.
> 
> Steve O.
> _______________________________________________
> Farmall mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/farmall
> 
> 

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ

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Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who
want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm but the harm
does not interest them. -T.S. Eliot, poet (1888-1965)
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