Bang for your buck tractors
Second-hand doesn’t mean second rate in the quest for an affordable tractor, writes
LOOKING for a clean second-hand tractor that won’t break the bank? The good news is there are some nice options out there from as little as €7,000 plus VAT. I spoke to three dealers around Ireland this week to get an idea of what the second-hand market is like.
Farmers will naturally have varying budgets depending on enterprise type and size, so I decided to see what kind of spec you can get across a range of budgets from around €10,000 up to €25,000.
First up, I spoke with second-hand and tractor-breaking specialist Raymond Bennett of Courtmacsherry Machinery in Bandon, Co Cork. Mr Bennett told me the current market for second hands is split depending on asking price.
“In my experience, tractors priced at €20,000 or under are selling quite quickly, but those priced at €20,000-€40,000 would be a harder sell. Most of my customers will come with a cheque and a trade-in. Milk price is good, but a lot of the bigger dairy men prefer having a new tractor and regular repayments rather than buying second hand.”
Courtmacsherry Machinery currently have a clean John Deere 2650 two-wheel drive in stock with turbo engine, pick-up hitch, 60pc tyres and a recently changed floor for €6,500 plus VAT. Another option is a fresh-looking Ford 7810 4WD tractor with crawler gear box, extra spool valves, 60pc tyres all round, digital dashboard and air seat for €12,000 plus VAT.
For those with a budget hitting the €20,000 mark, Courtmacsherry Machinery currently have a 2002-registered New Holland TS 90 with 7,800 hours on the clock for €16,000 plus VAT.
This tractor has front mudguards, exterior lift arm controls, a shuttle and an air seat. Similarly priced is a 2000-registered 4WD New Holland L95 with 7,600 hours on the clock, 40kph transmission and front three-point linkage with PTO for €16,250 plus VAT.
Conor Breen of Breen Farm Machinery in Cashel, Co Tipperary said the bulk of his success in terms of second-hand tractors would be to dairy farmers who spend around €25,000 to €30,000 on a clean tractor with in or around 6,000 hours.
“For that price you are talking about a 100-120hp tractor that we would give a full service to — engine oil, hydraulic oil, brakes, dyno test — and we would then sell with a 90 day warranty. The warranty is really important for people because it builds trust. By way of example, last week we sold a Claas Celtis 446 with loader for €28,000. In my experience, the bigger dairy farmers tend to want to buy new, the smaller dairy farmer is buying second hand for around €25,000 and the part-time farmer or the farmer looking for a second tractor for an out-farm will usually be looking for something under €20,000. The latter market isn’t one we would sell into that much anymore.”
Up in Laois, Pat Bergin of Templetouhy Farm Machinery said trade was brisk and he
FOR €25,000 TO €30,000 YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A 100-12OHP MODEL THAT WE WOULD GIVE A FULL SERVICE
had a good selection of tractors available, including a couple that come fitted with front loaders.
One example is a 2000-registered 4WD Deutz Fahr Agroplus 95, a 95hp tractor with 8,700 hours on the clock that comes fitted with a Rossmore loader and Firestone tyres that have around 35pc left both front and rear.
This tractor is priced at €20,000 plus VAT. For those on a smaller budget, another tractor available now at TFM Laois is a 1991-plated Fiat 90-90 rated at 90hp and with 7,400 hours on the clock.
This tractor also comes with a Quicke 540 loader and is priced at €13,500 plus VAT. The front tyres will need replacing with just 5pc left, while the rear tyres still have 50pc remaining. Those looking for more power can get a good deal at €22,000 plus VAT for a 2008-plated Landini 145 with 6,300 hours on the clock.
A clean-looking tractor, the Landini is rated at 140hp and comes with partial power shift transmission and air conditioning. For those interested in picking up a bargain at auction, an upcoming date to mark in your diary is Saturday, September 30, when the FTMTA’s trade auction of second-hand tractors and farm machinery takes place in Naas.
The move to organise an auction like this shows there is plenty of stock in Irish dealers’ yards — and, as a result, some good value to be had for farmers looking for a bargain.
Over 250 lots have been entered so far and tractors will be up for auction across most price bands, including under €10,000, €20,000, €30,000 up to the more expensive lots.