IH 350 utility

Got an IH 350 Utility a month ago. It had been sitting in the weeds behind a farmer's quonset for a couple years. No battery, wouldn't start (at least wouldn't stay runnin') 3pt conversion included, front-end loader with live front hydraulic pump, needed brakes...for $1200.

I left it with an old Farmall mechanic in Blue Hill who converted it to 12 volt (says it runs like a champ now), replaced a few leaky gaskets, and is repairing the brakes.

I expect I'll have $1500 in it before all is said and done. But I'm happy, and even considering selling my 560 (WF, frontend loader, and 3pt) if the 350 does everything I want it to do.

$900 tractor (missing hood tin over battery box), $400 after-market 3pt, $100x2 for lift cylinders (not including cost of hoses), $400 wide front, $200 full service (including wires, plugs, cap, etc.), $600 loader (not on yet, needs some hoses), $50 battery, $100 new spindle...I'm dang near $3K into that tractor.

Local Case-IH dealer tells me its a $2500 tractor with a $1000 loader, that should bring $4000 with the loader mounted on it.

I would really like to hear anybody's comments on what I've got. It seems to me I bought a cheap enough tractor, but have managed to add alot of money without adding alot of value (regardless of what the Case-IH salesman thinks).

Gadget.

Seems it depends on where you are what this tractor's worth. I went to over a dozen auctions to find a decent tractor. I ended up spending about $3500 on my 560, WF, 5' loader bucket and blade (wore out)and there was hardly anyone there and only 1 other guy bidding. Runs great, leaks a little oil. With the hours I spent trying to buy, and the miles I drove to look, I feel like I ended up with a pretty decent deal overall. Don't sell this unit short...around here it would probably bring $4k or more pretty easy.

Sounds a little stupid, I agree. But that theory has worked well for me.