Anyone ever heard of...

[ironhat]

I came across a Ford 1200, 2 cylinder, 15 HP, 4WD and 768 FEL yesterday. The seller guessed it was an early 80's vintage. Boy, it has seen some wear and tear and he still wanted $4900 for it. Are these really going this high or is he insane? I thought $2000 would have been on the high end of 'fair'. What do you all think?
Later,
Chiz

edited for clarity

[Argee]

That sounds about the going price...anytime you have a machine with a loader on it it adds an easy $1500 to the price.

[Argee]

This (http://www.tractordata.com/td/td247.html) may shed some light on it for you.

[Kid Muddy]

That price is about $2000 too high if it's in the shape you say it's in. Although like they say, it's worth what someone is willing to pay.

[Ingersoll444]

I have never seen any small compacts going under 4 grand. Well, maybe a few grays, but thats it. Is its worth it? For me no, thats why I buy vintage, but to some it is, becouse they sell. Concerding that kinda money will get you in a nice MF134. or eaven better the old MF50 with loader that I looked at a few months ago was in that range.

[ironhat]

Thanks for the input, guys. I hope that I didn't sound harsh but ignorance displays itself that way sometimes. The Ford is pretty rough which is why I thought it to be overpriced. I didn't realize that the FEL added that much to the resale value either. I could do without the 4WD but the FEL would be a saver for a guy with a bum back. I'm not afraid of putting some work into a piece of equipment but the up-front price should reflect that need. Like you said, it's worth what someone will pay and this guy let's stuff sit until that someone shows up. I'll keep looking and get more educated on models and values. This is my first 'inspiration' to get one of these little mules. Up until now, the old Craftsman GT 18, ca 1984 has done well but being stuck with the mower deck on it until the first snow sure puts a kink in the end-of-year gardening and wood hauling.
Later,
Chiz

[Argee]

I could do without the 4WD but the FEL would be a saver for a guy with a bum back.

4WD and an FEL go hand in hand. I've tried to use my FEL a few times without the 4WD and it limits it severely...makes the tractor work harder...If you primarily are looking for a FEL your farther ahead getting it with 4WD.

[Ingersoll444]

I think Argee is right. Unless you are going to a big, heavy fullsize tractor, you will realy want 4wd. Agean I vear towards the vintage end, and that may not be what you want, but when it comes to ease of fixing stuff yourself, an old mid size farm tractor has the modern CUT beat hands down.

[ironhat]

Thanks for that input. I should have thought of the traction issue. I have also considered putting a Johnny Bucket on the old GT 18 and buying a ZTR to do the 1.5 acres of flat mowing much faster than the tractor does (to get a decent cut I have to leave it in 2nd gear and that adds time). The thing that concerns me is adding that kind of stress to a 20+ year old, homeowner grade garden tractor. The JB should be as much as I need for my small property. Anything else that I should consider? Opinions on the retro fit of the GT?
TIA,
Chiz