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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Is it Just me?

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Bill46

05-20-2005 10:14:04




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Is it just me or do I have a hobby the takes more and more money?
I have what I consider to be a pretty good job. I was raised on a farm in Indiana and since I retired from the Army a few years ago I want to keep some of dad's old tractors plus a few that I like around.
I do use some of them for mowing 15 acres at my church and doing a little dirt work...but I am starting to watch how much I can spend on fixing them up.
Don't get me wrong...I do not restore like some of you do, I just like to keep decent looking good running tractors around, but it's really getting into my play budget.
How do you guys afford this hobby? Parts as of late are really getting high, fuel is high...and I know I do not burn as much as you active farmers.
Sometimes I think I am in the wrong hobby.
Case in point. I just got a tractor a couple of months ago I always wanted. It was not perfect, but I wanted it for kids hayrides.
MAN! New rims, tires, seals, gaskets and paint. I have already doubled what I paid for it...and I plan on running it a only few times a year! Is my thinking off to love this old iron? If I keep on...I will be eating peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. I try to be careful...but man! How do you guys do it? Am I doing something wrong?

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Bartt

05-22-2005 03:46:32




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
An old farmer just won 3 million in the lottery. When asked what he was going to do with it he replied," I guess I'll just keep farming until it's all gone". It's been around a while but still true. Have a goodun.



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George S. in the real NY

05-21-2005 17:35:12




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Well, I did not go thru all the other replys but try this. Do you know any one who has a boat, no make that a yacht? or a race car? or a show dog or horse? or really big time someone who owns an airplane?? Workin' on old tractors and farm equip is a bargin compared to those hobbies. Heck, there was a time I tried to spend what I spend on tractors just to wipe out the beer surplus. Some how the bars always had more. Yeah, you have to be savey in this business. Case in point, I ordered some studs 7/16 dia, for Fergie rear axle. Ok 4 bucks each but they were grade 8. What did they send?? Grade 5 bolts. Heck I got a great supply of them at work, which are not used there anymore. I told the dealer no, no. Send them back. Save the money for something else. Just my 2 cents.

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douglong8n

05-21-2005 14:30:26




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I like beer, but I bought a 560 Long. Less money for beer so I cut back so I could keep the long with loader going. Got used to that then bought a 52 8n. Now I have to make my own beer so I can keep 2 tractors running. Turns out the beer is better and the tractors run great.



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Lou

05-21-2005 07:49:56




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Bottom Line Its better than paying the shrink!



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Dug

05-20-2005 20:52:51




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I hear ya! Bought a 2510 for $4k a couple years ago. Great price, I thought. Now have about $8k in it. Hmmmm, shoulda just stayed in town...

Dug



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kyhayman

05-20-2005 17:15:39




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I know..... ..... ..... :-)

I've got an off farm job with a decent income, sometimes the farm can help underwrite the family bills, sometimes the other way. This week.....

1 hydraulic pump $ 560
(and I hope not a dual power unit too)
2 wagon tires $56.00 each
1 skid loader rim and tire (ripped the center out of a foam filled tire) $250



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Glenn F.

05-20-2005 17:09:02




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I have late model SC and DC CASES (two tractors). The DC I bought as a basket case and the SC was in "running order." I am restoring them and I clearly have 2x into them than what they're worth. Sometimes it bothers me how much I have into them but not too often. I don't hunt, fish, golf, smoke, drink, etc. My shop is my main hobby. I will gladly eat peanut butter sandwiches if I can keep my old tractors. Glenn F.

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stum

05-20-2005 15:41:17




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Try farming for a living.We just bought 5000 gallons of fuel at $1.86,seed bill for $34,400 came the same afternoon,don't even want to think about the fertilizer and spray bills that haven't come yet.



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williamf

05-20-2005 15:28:56




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
It's not just you.
My hobby gets me a "backhoe membership" in the hunt club. When the lucky guys who only have to hand over a check every year rib me about getting in "for nothing" I just smile bravely and try not to hear the tic-tic-tic in that recently overhauled diesel.
Wm



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T6Dave

05-20-2005 15:09:33




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I'm restoring my grandfather's Farmall A. After completely overhauling the engine, new sheet metal, paint, and other assorted parts I will have way more in it than what it is worth dollar wise. It is worth far more than what I have in it for sentimental value, though. I have a picture of this tractor when it was brand new. My mother is sitting on the seat and is one year old.

Besides, this hobby is a lot cheaper than my last hobby, airplanes. I paid $2100 for just one cylinder of the engine once. Ouch.

Dave

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big fred

05-20-2005 13:22:35




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Probly still cheaper than golfin or drinkin. Definitely cheaper than womanizing.



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big fred

05-20-2005 13:22:33




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Probly still cheaper than golfin or drinkin. Definitely cheaper than womanizing.



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Joel Harman

05-20-2005 12:35:39




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
machines wear out. get used to it. Not trying to be smart butt here.



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Ray

05-20-2005 12:13:26




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
The cheap tractors always end up costing more than a restored one in the end,but everyone still thinks they can fix one up for nothing.
The trick is to buy one some other guy already
spent his retirement on and is ready to part with.



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pbutler

05-20-2005 12:01:46




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 Not just you in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I am a 2nd year farmer, farming with 30 year old equipment. First year I spent $400 on a John Deere 4400 combine-that was in decent shape.

Wanting to take good care of my equipment I went to deere and got 1 large belt, enough hi-guard to replace all hydraulic, transmission, and final drive fluids. Got cab, oil, and air filters, and replaced 1 leaky hydraulic hose.

No I have the same combine that I thought was field ready but now I have about $800 in the same combine.

Have since learned-get used to it.

Helps if you can use the "toys" to produce some income-based on my current projections farm won't make a "profit" until 4th year at best.

Figure 5 years out and I will have everything paid for and put some $ in pocket. (Unless I lose a turbo or something). Figure wages per hour will be about $1 an hour over 5 year period.

Then again I would have paid someone to let me have this much fun so I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Maybe my family will get something out of it after the auction when I am gone. LOL

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txgrn

05-21-2005 04:38:27




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 Re: Not just you in reply to pbutler, 05-20-2005 12:01:46  
If you are referring to the IRS tax code when you refer to "profit" that is not NET profit. It's GROSS profit they are interested in. If it were net profit, no body would fill out a Schedule F; cause you can't make a livin farmin. We all just think we are. Grin

Mark



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pbutler

05-21-2005 05:52:52




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 Re: Not just you in reply to txgrn, 05-21-2005 04:38:27  
:)

Yes, in the last 3 years I have had some "nice" expenses-if there is such a thing. 3 years ago built a shed, lots of equipment purchases the last 2 years. Funny thing is the more I spend the bigger the tax return-and more to spend.

Sad thing is that gravy train is about to end. Exhaused startup farm budget and my wife has this crazy idea that from now on all farm "toys-as she calls them" must come from farm income.

If I can just get one last excemption to get that planter I think I will be good. Maybe a 3rd job.....to support my 2nd.

Paul

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txgrn

05-21-2005 06:16:27




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 Re: Not just you in reply to pbutler, 05-21-2005 05:52:52  
I used to fish. I had lots of expenses buying things I liked for fishing.....no deducts.

Decided to farm. I had lots of..... .... but with deducts. Much nicer. Grin.

Mark



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Lou

05-20-2005 11:45:07




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Just got back from the Massey dealer $143.00. Thats this week. Its so bad Im actually trying to grow somthing to get some of my $ back. Good Luck



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Steve (Magnolia, TX)

05-20-2005 11:20:10




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
It's just you.

See, I only paid $1900 for my 8N (in 1997)... and, shoot, I bet I ain't spent but $2000, $2500 on her since!! She still ain't pretty, but I use her as a working tractor.

Just wait for the implements to kick in...
I dropped $150 on 4 John Deere #5 mowers, thinking "I'll buy these old mowers, 'cause I can get 'em cheap... What can it cost to get one going?"... try ~$250, so far... and I've not gotten the new tire/tube that I want for it, yet... or a grassboard... or a spare pitman stick... or...?

OK, OK, OK!!!!

It's NOT just you!!! :-)

Steve

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Bill46

05-20-2005 11:28:45




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Steve (Magnolia, TX), 05-20-2005 11:20:10  
I have a few too many I suppose, but the thought of parting one out just makes me feel ill.
I was doing ok until I brought a couple of dad's old ones down to Texas...then things kinda went off budget.
Good thing my lady friend understands. But then, she collects baskets that cost a bundle too.
Guess we are just spoiled.
At least I have "something" to show where it goes. I have a few friends that spend every paycheck...and cannot understand where it went.
Now...if I could only find a better carb for that IH 450D....

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Joe (Wa)

05-20-2005 11:55:49




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 11:28:45  
Well, there is the answer, sell the baskets and put the cash into your tractors. Simple, huh!!!

Joe



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Bill Strasemeier

05-20-2005 12:56:44




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Joe (Wa), 05-20-2005 11:55:49  
I may not be the brightest bulb in the house Joe...but I am not stupid.



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Allan in NE

05-20-2005 11:06:55




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
Bill,

What?! You're spending money on old tractors? I've never heard of such a thing!!! :>)

Allan



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Dan

05-20-2005 10:46:05




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
No - it is not just you! I won't tell you how much I have spent on this hobby. My latest Project is up to around $4,000 and I still haven't purchased the rear rubber yet. I expect it to finish up around $5k, but to find an NAA with a fully rebuilt and machined engine, new head, new tires, fully rebuilt hydraulics, new tranny guts, new ignition system, new paint, and a boatload of new parts - I guess that is not too awfully bad.

Hey - you can't take it with you!

Dan

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Mike M

05-20-2005 10:42:29




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I haven't done any for a few years,but back when I was I parted out quite a few trators and sold the extra parts off for extra money.Bought and sold some complete tractors also.



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Nebraska Cowman

05-20-2005 10:31:26




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:14:04  
I just work harder to generate more income.



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Harley

05-20-2005 10:44:18




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 05-20-2005 10:31:26  
I used to say it was worth something just to say I was in business. Seriously, I know what you mean. With fuel prices the way they are, we have cut way back on buying AND selling tractors because we can't justify the fuel to get them moved. One thing about the expenses you stated, tires, rims, etc., those will last you a lifetime just doing parades etc., so you're done with the big parts. You just have to grin and bear it sometimes, and justify it by thinking it's still cheaper and less cantankerous than ..... .. well, you know where I was going, huh Allan. Good luck and git er done. Harley

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caseyc

05-20-2005 10:43:08




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 05-20-2005 10:31:26  
you and me both howard! i'm the same way. i refuse to give up any of them and keep dragging more home so i just find more income.

casey in SD



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Bill46

05-20-2005 10:39:47




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 05-20-2005 10:31:26  
Yeah Cowman...I get the same paycheck no matter what.
Maybe I should change my name to Farmall Broke and John Deere Poor.



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steveormary

05-20-2005 20:57:59




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 Re: Is it Just me? in reply to Bill46, 05-20-2005 10:39:47  

You cant fixem up for what you think you can. Some years back had 2 tractors that needed work. Figgerd about $2100 for both. Ended up at $3200 for both. Now I am retired and broke.

steveormary



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