ATLANTA, Ga. – Used farm equipment is bringing record high prices this winter in the United States.
American machinery analyst and columnist Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson says better quality tractors and combines, some of them more than 30 years old, are bringing the strongest prices he has seen in his two decades in the business.
“In December, a JD 8630, a 1976, with 7,257 hours on it sold for $24,000 at a northeast Missouri sale … a 4240 brought $33,500 with 4,416 hours … and for collectors how about a Deere ’72, 2520 with power shift bringing $23,250,” he said.
Read Also
August rain welcome, but offered limited relief
Increased precipitation in August aids farmers prior to harvest in southern prairies of Canada.
“We see lots of 1960s (Deere) 4020s bringing $12,000 to $15,000.”
Peterson said older grain trucks in good condition are selling well at farm auctions.
“A 27-year-old Chev C70 brought $27,000,” he said.
Canadian farm equipment dealers aren’t seeing the same high prices.
Laurie Fritz of Shaunavon Industries in southwestern Saskatchewan said the value of late model trades isn’t strong right now.
“You have to consider who is in the market to buy these days,” he said. “Only the larger farmers, and they generally want new.”
Fritz said American markets are soft in many areas, and like Canadian sellers, are finding it difficult to get good prices out of forage equipment.
“It isn’t universal and some of this is regional.”
Fritz said tillage equipment such as cultivators are a hot item.
Peterson agreed, and said used short-line tools can also bring good prices.
He said a Riteway RR900 rock picker recently brought $14,500 at a U.S. sale.
Newer combines and tractors with low hours sell for almost as much as new in the U.S. Midwest because of concerns over new Tier 4 emissions standard compliance designs.
Peterson said the hottest used tractor on the U.S. market is the Deere 4455. A recent one with 2,636 hours was sold for $62,000.
“If it came from a good home, well serviced and looks nice, (American) farmers will pay top dollar right now,” he said.
