Machinery too expensive

[Cowabunga]

Most contractors around here, Cardigan Bay area, ran out of work about three weeks ago and have sent their workers home. The workers need to pay their rents etc so it is a distinct possibility that many will find permanent alternative work.

 

[holywell farmer]

I’ve been disappointed with every used tractor I’ve ever bought, and pleased with every new tractor I’ve ever bought.

Bought one ex hire tractor. Never, ever again. It was a disaster from the moment it arrived to the moment it left. Cost us many many thousands. Basically evidently it had been driven by a hero which toasted everything from the engine back. Brakes shot, oil leeks everywhere. Presumably it had got very hot in there at some point and knackered the seals up. Manufacturer didn’t want to know regarding any help fixing the thing, so it ended up being the last of that brand on this farm.

It very well saying it’s a £20k saving but by the time you factor in it has no 0% finance (easily £6k-7k worth) no warranty, the tyres have normally done a lot of road work and it has a completely unknown past I just don’t think it’s worth bothering with. Not forgetting it’s a year or 2 old in the first place.

The only exception I would say is if you can find an ex airport or similar tractor you could be onto a winner. Friend of mine bought one, it was absolutely polished to perfection, had been kept in a hanger all it’s life and at 3 years old it had 150 hours on the clock and had invoices from JD main dealer for 3x full services and 3x interim ‘health checks’.

It was a lot of money mind, but a saving nonetheless.

Ex hire could been abused on clamping the pit for 3 months of the summer,

 

[Bob c]

Look on the bright side - every idiot will have made 1,000,000 bales of hay this year, so it'll be worth sod all. You've saved yourself some work

i no of one firm who made hay from some fields not far away
never been cut for last 15 years ,......be some good stuff

 

[holywell farmer]

Most contractors around here, Cardigan Bay area, ran out of work about three weeks ago and have sent their workers home. The workers need to pay their rents etc so it is a distinct possibility that many will find permanent alternative work.

Blimey, so contractors got machines sitting in sheds earning next to nothing

 

[8100]

Not heard the local Contractor and crew rattling through the village much either this yr. Just seen one with a Quadrant heading away from base though (or maybe its on the hay by the amount of Haybobs tootling about this yr) What will the Maize season be like this yr Chaps if this weather keeps up ?

 

[Cowabunga]

Blimey, so contractors got machines sitting in sheds earning next to nothing

Yes. That's farming. Always seasonal but if nothing grows, there's nothing to harvest or plough or sow. Ultimately a lot less or nothing to sell. No money to pay the bills.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Blimey, so contractors got machines sitting in sheds earning next to nothing

I guess it would depend on the spread of work each individual contractor carrries out. If purely grass based it probably is very quiet.
Nearest contractor to here will be combining and baling now, no doubt they are fairly up to date with the workloads meaning the men don’t have to work on into the night or long hours at weekends to get the work done. At this time of year combining and second cut/whole crop can overlap putting them under pressure, the continued dry spell will have made things more relaxed on timing of work, they also do quite a bit of digger/groundwork’s so again more work to go at when things are quiet.

Ultimately it depends on the services a contractor offers and the businesses of their customers on how this weather will affect them but having all your eggs in one basket relying on livestock farmers for grassland work ain’t a good place to be at the moment, not only will work be sparse but if this carries on it’s going to put pressure on finances for some with no doubt the contractors bills taking second place to buying feed for livestock.

 

[midlandslad]

Just looking at the prices achieved in an online farm sale yesterday and they are unreal. In for another increase in machinery prices? How are even current prices sustainable based on current and projected margins?

 

[Drillman]

Just looking at the prices achieved in an online farm sale yesterday and they are unreal. In for another increase in machinery prices? How are even current prices sustainable based on current and projected margins?

If it’s the sale at Leeds I was interested in a couple of items but never bothered bidding. There was an 13 year old ifor Williams trailer made more than new price

 

[Chae1]

Cheffins sale? We ran up the 770. It never sold. The new Holland hesston baler and heath chaser didn't look too expensive.

 

[Sandy]

Just looking at the prices achieved in an online farm sale yesterday and they are unreal. In for another increase in machinery prices? How are even current prices sustainable based on current and projected margins?

I agree these timed online sales are making silly money

 

[kingfisher]

Especially when you add the 6% commission on some items. Also bid on a few items but always stick to pre set limit, very easy to press bid again button in on line auction!

 

[warksfarmer]

Just looking at the prices achieved in an online farm sale yesterday and they are unreal. In for another increase in machinery prices? How are even current prices sustainable based on current and projected margins?

which sale?

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

which sale?

It was at Bardsey between Wetherby & Leeds in West Yorkshire - Stephensons Rural handled the sale .

 

[early riser]

If it’s the sale at Leeds I was interested in a couple of items but never bothered bidding. There was an 13 year old ifor Williams trailer made more than new price

Do you know what TM310 made?

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

Do you know what TM310 made?

One of the older Deeres also sold well .

 

[early riser]

View attachment 889822 One of the older Deeres also sold well . View attachment 889823

That's strong money for a 310

 

[Hampton]

Anyone finding dealers want a deposit on ordering.find this a bit strange to be honest
Nick...

Normally the vat is the deposit

 

[Martin Holden]

Cheffins sale? We ran up the 770. It never sold. The new Holland hesston baler and heath chaser didn't look too expensive.

Ah, playing the running up game Chae1? Seen this happening live at an auction years ago where someone ran a machine up to help the vendor out! No intention of buying it but just trying to stop it selling far too cheaply.

 

[thesilentone]

Ah, playing the running up game Chae1? Seen this happening live at an auction years ago where someone ran a machine up to help the vendor out! No intention of buying it but just trying to stop it selling far too cheaply.

Happens all the time at every auction, cattle, sheep, machinery etal.

If it's not a friend, it's the auctioneer.

Have a look at Hawes auction historical sheep prices.