Tractor prices are NUTZ!!!

[Teddy da Bear 11]

I know this subject has likely been brought up before....

I was browsing through craigslist thoughout the midwest

and I just cannot believe the prices I am seeing for wheel

horse tractors.,....

There are ordinary 60's and 70's wheel horses that the

owners are asking $1000 to $2000!!! And even the ones

that are not extremely overpriced are still $100 to $200

overpriced.

What ever happened to this economic downturn we are

suppose to be experiencing?

Are we as collectors partially responsible for driving the

prices up? Or are these people mearly fools out to find

others foolish enough to pay whatever?

[JimD 3,347]

yes teddy, i'm afraid they are on to us. think about this, people actively seeking out these little red treasures are calling attention to themselves via the internet. ebay sellers have caught on to the fact that there are many collectors in need of parts. a few years ago, there wasn't much in the way of wheelhorse on ebay. when i first looked into it, i was looking for some decals. i found about 8 or 10 items listed for wheelhorse. now there are hundreds of items, all the time there. couple that with all the forums on the net for these, and all other brands having a collector following and, well, you get the idea. and don't think they aren't in here as members or guests, watching, reading about what we're after. you may still find an occasional freebie or great deal, but the days are numbered! the worst part is, they are sacrificing restorable tractors to satisfy the demand for parts, futher thinning the herd. one can only imagine the thousands of horses run through ebay every year. so i guess it only follows that prices for complete tractors in decent shape are crazy, but i'm still looking for the deals. so good luck in your hunts, guys. :thumbs:

[hodge 6]

That certainly makes the good finds that much more satisfying!

[kpinnc 15,679]

I disagree TDB. I think it's the dummies that are driving the prices up.

Ever overheard a conversation between an owner and a potential buyer when neither one knows what they are looking at or talking about? The phrase "Well, you know how EXPENSIVE these things are..." always comes up, and then the cost of Toro parts comes up, and it goes all to hell from there. Before you know it, someone just paid $800 for a B-80 4 speed that's been outside in the rain for 15 years.

I believe we as collectors do as much to keep prices in check as anything else. Our discernment, IF we decide to use it, works to all our advantage.

I've only ever sold ONE Wheel Horse tractor. It's not because I'm hording them, or because I'm greedy. It's because I LIKE them. I also have many times found tractors for other people who are looking for a quality machine, whether they liked Wheel Horses or not- Even when I wanted the tractor for myself. Usually it was when my budget didn't allow for it, but more than anything I just wanted to see an old tractor get a new lease on life rather than end up in the junk yard or just rotted away in the woods.

In short- It's stupidity that drives the prices up, not the folks who make good use of them- collector or not. Kinda sounds like what we hear on the news now, huh?

Kevin