Combines Combine Question

In my opinion, it sounds like you've started down a slippery slope. On older machinery, you don't necessarily increase the value of a machine by performing repairs and upgrades, so the money you've spent is lost unless you keep the machine. However, you run the very real risk of having to put several thousand dollars into it this year just to make it through the year again. If you don't consider your machine to be servicable enough to continue using it, then you should probably quit while you're ahead and move up to something newer. If you can honestly say that it fits your needs, and it will make it through next year without additional major failures, then keep it and save yourself the depreciation you'll suffer by buying the new one. My guess would be that even though you've spent a lot on your machine this year, that it will still break down on you again next year.

I just add to Chris's comment. Nelson, figure it by the hour ones. When you take the trade difference in hours and the difference in Dollars, you pay about 30 Dollars per hour, upgrade to a bigger machine and step up several years. That's really not that bad of a deal.

I think your dealer is giving you a pretty good deal. If you think yours is worth more then try selling it yourself in a farm machinery publication. Make sure to have the receipts to proof all the work lately. If you do that then you can work off just a cash price with the dealer and he might give a better deal. I know it is a little more work but it might just payoff in the long run.

well, nelson, join the club of "wow deere resale is so good, I can't wait to sell it!!" . Your machine is worth about 15-20K at the most. Dealer's 9510 at a sale might bring 75-80. That is a lot of dough. Think about this, my neighbor has an '80 SH like yours (and mine) and the hour meter quit at I think he said 6000 hours, that was three or four years ago. Mine has 3000. Just take it to the deere shop after harvest (or before in your case) and have them run an inspect on the whole thing. I do it every year and always can keep it in excellent running shape. This does not mean it is worth more than I said at first, just that it now is one that will sell. One that is run to destruct all the time will not have much value ever. Trade in is about nothing to a dealer for these things, because all the dealers are so loaded up on old units they can't sell what do they want with another oneIJ Good luck...GS