When JOHN DEERE says "bend over"....

[farmaholic]

Agreed. At this time I have what I need. I am still trying to wear out 35 year old tractors.
Usually I can fix it or hire a mobile mechanic/welder. Eventually I will have to redirect money into something newer with minimal electronics and emissions bullshit.
I fell through the cracks about 25 years ago, so the next stop for my equipment is the steel refinery for melting. One neighbor stayed with upgraded trades. He is 80 yrs old and has new everything, staggered trades, tractors one year, combine swather the next year. Service and warrantee, the machine sits until dealership moblie repair arrives. Its good, he is successful.

Define success. A healthy happy family and some money in the bank to, as you would say, "waste" on them?

[GALAXIE500]

Hobby Farmer , we are in the same boat as you are . Most of the machinery We farm with is from the 80-2000's range (very little in the 2000 range) however , learning to fix and repair is a way of life around this place. My Dad taught me how to fix things on the cheap if necessary , and a friend and neighbor I have 5 miles from our farm has a welding shop on his farm where I worked for seven years while transitioning full time into my farming role from my parents 16 years ago. It was invaluable to me ,and taught me how to fix things the right way , and not always the "farmer way" LOL!

Farmaholic is right when he says there is lots of good used stuff out there. If all of us farmers and ranchers had the buying power of the dollar like our Dads had in the 70's we could all afford new stuff occasionally!

[bucket]

Hobby Farmer , we are in the same boat as you are . Most of the machinery We farm with is from the 80-2000's range (very little in the 2000 range) however , learning to fix and repair is a way of life around this place. My Dad taught me how to fix things on the cheap if necessary , and a friend and neighbor I have 5 miles from our farm has a welding shop on his farm where I worked for seven years while transitioning full time into my farming role from my parents 16 years ago. It was invaluable to me ,and taught me how to fix things the right way , and not always the "farmer way" LOL!

Farmaholic is right when he says there is lots of good used stuff out there. If all of us farmers and ranchers had the buying power of the dollar like our Dads had in the 70's we could all afford new stuff occasionally!

There is the problem.....our so called farm groups don't ask where our buying power went .....


A new combine in 1975 cost 6000 bushels

Today 6000 wouldn't buy a lease payment....on a used one....