Diamond in the rough???

[Ravon]

Hey Guys,
New to the forum but have been reading it for a while now.
I'm planning on leaving this state, and want to acquire some property (5-10 acres), so I'm going to need a tractor.

As a landscaper I'm not unfamiliar with equipment, and do most of the maint. on our machines now.

There is, parked in our yard, a B8200d that has been affectionally named Kubota Bob, and hasn't been used (or even started) in 7-9 years. It has a FEL on it, and a Kubota tiller attached to it. There is also a box blade nearby.

I've asked the owner what his intentions for it are. I expressed an interest in getting it running and restoring it. The million dollar question is, what should I offer?

Here is the condition and some observations:
The oil on the dipstick looks good (no water)
There appears to be some oil seepage from around the control valve shaft
Hr meter say 372, if that means anything.. I'm sure it's turned over
It's missing a front tire, wheel is there.
The major rust and corrosion is to the battery tray. All other parts have surface rust, no cancer.

It looks restorable, granted it will take some doing.
I've spoken to my boss as he said he'd like to see it retired to a good home (I think it was the company's 1st machine)

So what do you think?
Thanks for your input....

Here are some pics

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

B8200's are solid models and are powerful and nimble.

One thing about a tractor like that, that's sat for many a year is seals and wire insulation get dry and clutch disks can become fused to the flywheel/pressure plate, so it might require some serious effort to get it back in shape.

A tractor like that will fetch 4K to 9K in normal rough to good running condition.
The fact it's sat so long and the work it needs I would say (and you would know way better about how he feels about money)2k to 2.5K would be a good starting offer, you could start lower and see what he has to say.

One note: Don't do any work on it till the deal is done, because if it starts right up then the price will go right up too!

 

[workhorse]

Def looks like it's done some work ! Rigs like that scare me unless the price is right ! I'm frugal so I'd go in at 1k. My reasons are this, u can prob sell attachments for that if the tractor ends up being to much of an investment ( time and money ). But, if it fits your current budget and have some spare time and money and the tools and skills for a restore....Get it

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[D2Cat]

I think North Idaho Wolfman is being too generous with his suggested offer. I would make a list of all possible items needing attention, like wiring, fuel system purged, all filters, hyd. oil, engine oil, and leaking seals, separate the tractor and replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing.

Is the steering wheel cracked and missing pieces? Are the tires original, rotted and needing replaced?

I'd offer him a thousand dollars, if he doesn't like that he can counter-offer, but you loose nothing in the conversation. It's a 30 year old extremely neglected tractor.

If you've taken inventory of all it needs and express interest in getting it running and looking nice again, that might me the motivation he needs to move it on!

 

[Ravon]

Thank you all for the replies.

I'm kind of in line with D2 Cat. There is a lot of work to be done.

Wolfman brought up a good point about the seals. Didn't think about that.

I too am frugal, and I do have the time but a limited budget to do a complete restore at this time. I'd like to get it mechanically sound, and slowly work on the cosmetics.

I wasn't thinking of taking the tiller, just the box blade.

I have used this tractor years ago, and I've gone over it pretty well.
Tires are shot. FEL was slow the last time I used it. All cylinders will need rebuilding. I'm aware of the clutch sticking problem. The steering was pretty sloppy as well. The underside of the engine looks dry (no oil stains).

I know it wasn't maintained, because since i was hired 12 years ago, it was in just as bad of shape. We had replaced it with some Kubota powered Ditch Witch machines. I do most of the equipment maintenance on those, but haven't done anything on this machine.

I'm just wondering is there any unseen thing I've overlooked, or should be looking for?

I was thinking of offering less than 1K, due to the disrepair and neglect of the tractor. Another plus is, the company will soon be forced to find a new yard and it might be an opportune time to pounce. Hell, it might become a donation!!

My desire is to relocate to a rural area, while I still can physically enjoy it. I'd rather not dump 5-10K in a used tractor to mow weeds and move snow around, when I think I could get this one working for considerably less.

I'm interested in your feedback to see if my thinking was out of whack. Keep it coming!

Thanks again for the replies. and I'll keep you all posted.

 

[85Hokie]

I think North Idaho Wolfman is being too generous with his suggested offer. I would make a list of all possible items needing attention, like wiring, fuel system purged, all filters, hyd. oil, engine oil, and leaking seals, separate the tractor and replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing.

Is the steering wheel cracked and missing pieces? Are the tires original, rotted and needing replaced?

I'd offer him a thousand dollars, if he doesn't like that he can counter-offer, but you loose nothing in the conversation. It's a 30 year old extremely neglected tractor.

If you've taken inventory of all it needs and express interest in getting it running and looking nice again, that might me the motivation he needs to move it on!

I was thinking less than 1K - like offer $500, but I would consider it at 1K

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I guess my thoughts were more on the loader is worth $1k to $1.5K alone and then the tiller $250 to $500 and box blade $200 to $400.

 

[Lencho]

I'd want hst for FEL work so that may be another reason this one was neglected.

 

[workhorse]

Eh. Your description makes it seem like a large hole to throw money in. Do you have a total investment number in your head ? Like purchase for 1k and invest 3k ? If so, I'd be looking for something different for 4k. Machines that are worked hard and put away wet are always the ones that nikle and dime, even with the build quality of that rig. It's a true testament of how well they can survive abuse, but at this point in its life you would be better off parting it out to make some extra cash to buy something more "loved". Just my .02

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[Lennyzx11]

Try to get them to give you the first numbers quote.
Then you have a basis of what they'll want.
Me? I'd really want to be in it under 800 and hope that motor started very first thing before doing anything else.



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[Treckerzeug]

hi,

For me way before thinking money would be to try to get an answer to the following very first question:
If you open the hood, tension thV belt,
Do you arrive to turn over the engine?
Might be blocked as well,
Or have no compression...

Just my two cents

Regards

Robert

 

[Ravon]

Well Gang,

I offered him $500 for it and he said SOLD!!, including the tiller and box blade.

I hand cranked the engine and it rotates very smoothly. I was talking to one of the other foremen, and he said the guy that is their "mechanic" had started the tractor recently (within the past year).

So now it's off to the world of nickels and dimes!!

First step, tire repair then transport home!

Thanks to all who responded and I look forward to chatting in the other forums.

I think I'll document this restore, if I can..

Stay tuned for The Adventures of Kubota Bob!!!

 

[workhorse]

Good luck with Bob. Hope he treats you well. 500$ with implements is a swell price.

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[nickelplated5s]

If you have a place to put it I'd say 'I'll get it out of here for free.' All it's done is sit for years and take up yard space. If it was about money it would've been gone long ago.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If you have a place to put it I'd say 'I'll get it out of here for free.' All it's done is sit for years and take up yard space. If it was about money it would've been gone long ago.

I take it you missed the fact that he already bought it for $500.

 

[Newlyme]

Congratulations.
I think you got a good deal.
Keep in mind that from here on in every part you buy, (if buying new), you are buying a new tractor one piece at a time. No loans, interest, or monthly payments and you get the full use from those parts.
Looking forward to following your journey.