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Cost of refurbishing a tractor


KSever

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Just got done calculating my receipts of refurbishing this Simplicity 717. Whew!! didn't think I spent that much but what the heck. But I'm still looking for the rear attachment hook that mounts to the rear hitch and I still have a extra hood I'm going to rebuild with the new decals and paint. but it looks pretty good though without that.. For just a mere $960.00 in parts that is without my labor cost. But I figure 2 years labor was my learning experience and fun though. I don't think I could get that much out of Ebay. LOL Anybody else have a final cost of rebuilding a small tractor
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Lloyd, As of right now I don't think I've had any mistakes because I've asked alot of questions and researched alot on this site before I've bought parts. BTW, where were you at Rhinelander? I bet I drove right by your house on the 51. Guess I'll see you at Iowa huh? Kris
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Kris, As you state, money is only one measure of value that can be used to judge yours or any other tractor. My "major project" of late is really nothing more to me than an excuse to play with (and learn how to use since I haven't done it much before, to speak of) my cutting torch and welder, along with the usual drill, grinder, etc............ I've spent $200 at the dealer on new parts for my differential(before I found this site) and $100 for the Putt Putt with the snowblower. I think both were good deals at the time, based on circumstances then. The Johnny bucket cost more than both together but I consider that the best deal of them all, based on how much use it will get. I will have essentially torn down and reassembled the 3310(except the engine, though I did remove the oil pan and wash it out in the parts cleaner) twice in a year for almost nothing, maybe a hundred or so. I don't consider that to be "refurbished" and certainly not "restored". Extreme Maintenance perhaps? How much is it worth to be able to say "I have 30 and 40 year old garden tractors that I keep running that will beat the pants off any new box store sled with twice the horse power"?
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I feel the same way.I've been working on a 2110 for the last month or so.I started out figuring this was a parts tractor.Now,I've got more money in it then I could ever sell it for,and it still needs paint,better tires,and other things done to it. But I figure working out in the garage is better than sitting on a barstool,or being plopped in front of a TV. My wife keeps asking if I'm going to sell it. I tell her eventually,but I'm hoping eventually never shows up. kenny
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Kris, So far I think I've got about $650 in my 738 Broadmoor that I saved from going to the dump. New engine,new seat, new steering wheel, gas tank, switch, and front wheel bushings. Steering was frozen as was the frame pivot. Still needs paint and a new deck shell. It's not a matter to me of what I've spent because of the satisfaction I get from the progress and I've had fun along the way. Now I have another great tractor that I don't want to part with. Seems like I feel that way about all of them. greg
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Over the last ten years I have fixed up and re-painted about 20 -30 tractors. I 've never done any internal engine or transmission work, I just swap units . Seems I always end up with anywhere from $200-$400 in a finished machine plus time. Of course I sell and part tractors out too so the parts I use end up being free to me most of the time. I got away from selling my Painted tractors because I never get enough to make the time worthwhile. Right now I have 7 units that I have restored and currently use. I was going to do two more Homelites but I sold one yesterday because I just don't have the ambition for it all, nor the need for yet two more. I'll do the T10 6-speed next year and find a use for it. After that it may be a while before I do anymore. I have been pondering the idea of selling good restorable tractors when I get them rather than parting them out. Picked up a older (63'-65'?) Broadmoor yesterday that would be a good one. hi/low range, newer engine, snowblower, no deck or grill. Runs great. Temptinmg to restore it, but don't need it at all. Might try taking offers????? who knows...
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It is the joy and satisfaction that one gets in restoring and using a tractor that other wise would end up in the junk pile. Using a 30 year old tractor around the yard that is in new, (or near new condition) is just a kick, at least it is for me. I just picked up a 1453 Bolens that I'm going to restore and last year I completed a 110 JD that I use for my knock around yard work, it's great. It takes a load of using my two AC 620's for the light stuff. Cost to restore? Mega $$$$$$ but fun and enjoyable. Floydster
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Everyone, the true value of these tractors is great ROI (Return on Investment). We all claim that working on these tractors is very therapeutic, helps you maintain your sanity and gives us all a better disposition for life. Now if we all own box store tractors, we would save a few $100s on the tractor but spend $10,000s on health care, weekly visits to the psycologist, or therapist. These tractors save us $1000s each year. The only negative, is the tractors are so consuming that it is hard to go to that pesky work each Monday. Good Luck! Mike S.
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It is somewhat hard to gauge the exact cost I have into my B-110. It was a total basket case when I bought it. If I knew then what I know now, I would have passed on it. I bought 3 other chassis for parts and a lot of other pieces here and there. Two of the chassis were nearly for free, but the one with the hydro lift cost me 300. Originally, I bought the B-110 for 500 and it came with a mower and snowblower. Now it is as new as possible except for the paint, (multi-color). Funny, thinking of it now, there is barely any parts that are original to the chassis as I bought it. The hood, dash, and frame is all I can think of. I added it all up, best I can recall, and I have over 1100 into it! Nuts!? And that doesnt even include the implements I have bought since either. But if you subtract the amount I would have spent at the bars instead of working on my tractor, or how many times it relaxed me after a frustrating day, or how much pride and enjoyment it has given me, I guess I came out way ahead. LOL Dan
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I have three tractors and a bunch of attachments (still growing). All are in a constant state of being refurbished. I keep accurate records for acquisition and repair on each separate unit. The last time I summed it up (long time ago), I had already spent more than the best tractor that Home Depot or Sears costs and would have had money left over. But that would be comparing apples & oranges. Why are some hobbies or activities viewed differently than others? As long as I didn't come home drunk, I could spend $20 a day ($5000 a year) at a bar, flush it down the toilet, and never be questioned or criticized. Some guys spend thousands a year on fishing, golf, flying, hunting and have little to show for it, that's an acceptable hobby. Spend thousands on a lawn maintenance service, snow removal, delivered firewood, and that's just part of home ownership. Go to your local "arts & crafts" store sometime. Women are spending big bucks on artificial flowers, sequins, lace, glue, paint to make cheesy junk or stuff that could be bought ready made for less. Are we garden tractor owners being "profiled" and discriminated against?
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I work with a 27 year old man who thinks nothing of dropping 1-300 dollars every payday at the casino! what do you have to show for that? Justify these....... fly in fishing trip, monthly satelite lottery tickets movies fancy clothes rented movies an suv thats never been in 4wd used to haul one person around a garden weasel chia pet lincoln logs tinker toys blah blah........ I once asked a guy here if he thought restoring a yeoman was worth it. He asked me if the experience alone with my son wasnt worth the $$$$....... Take lots of pics kris Doug ps Sam, if you read this, could you send me a pic?
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I don't know about your area,Sam,but in Northern Indiana,old tractors have a limited market. People would rather go to Lowes,or Sears,spend $1500.00 or more,and buy a tractor that will last 6-7 years,instead of spending $900.00 or so on a restored Simplicity or Allis,that will outlast any box tractor. I sold my dads JD 208 about a month ago.Priced at $750.00,got a lot of calls,and a few people stopped out. But when they heard it was a 1979 model,no one was interested.Finally sold it to a guy who had a JD210,and knew what the quality was.He was buying it for a friend,I believe. No one else wanted to touch it,they wanted newer and in their eyes,better.
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Restored a B-212 last winter and probably put about 700 dollars in the process. After it was finished I couldn't wait to find another restoration project. Managed to find a B-112 that was almost a basket case and have taken every bolt out of it. All parts will be completely sandblasted and primer using zinc chromate primer. Painted with Allis Chalmers yellow from auto supply dealer and put back together using all stainless steel bolts and nuts. There goes another 8 hundred bucks but it is the enjoyment of lookin at the finished product that counts. Wife thinks I am little crazy but have 3 grandkids and can put one on each tractor and have my 5 acres mowed in record time. Pics of the B-212 are in the gallery...Hope to have the pics of the B-112 in gallery next spring.....
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Kris, I have about $800 in the restoration of my AC 912h and I still have some more that I would like to do. The wife however has different plans for that money. Ron Thomas #3
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Like I say it's not perfect but it looks good to me. If I was to have it perfect the way I want it I would have to spend another $960. But it is theraputic and most of all fun to work rather than working on building restoration like at my place of employment.
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I have about $400 into my Massey MF12 hydro now that I bought new tires.I still have a few more things to buy for it.I am guessing I will have about another $200. by the time I get the tractor and the mower deck done.I always look at the money spent like this: If I went out and bought a tractor with the same implements new of the same quallity I would spend alot more than 800-1200. Kris, I have a rear attachment hitch that I could measure up if you wanted to try to make one.Looks like it would be pretty simple to make.Its just a peice of C chanel notched out and then hole's drilled into it to bolt it on.Also has a hole to access the trans oil level plug.If you like I can take some pictures of it and measure it up. mowerman1193
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