To replace or repair - costings

[Zippy768]

How do people cost out to either repair or replace a piece of machinery?

I'm talking a well worn machine that NEEDS work doing to it - among other things - vs replacing it with a second hand machine

 

[Courier]

Used to know an old boy who would constantly mend/modify any machine until it wouldn't break down -

Then he bought a new machine which didn't break down, so he just had to modify that until it did ......

 

[ewald]

I usually get to a point when I am totally fed up mending it. Financial calculations don't usually come into it.

A few thoughts to help though:

Does it do the job (when working)?
Do you like it? (surprisingly relevant!)
If you spend too much repairing one part, how likely is it that something else will fail?
How often is it used?
Do you have access to an alternative if/when disaster strikes?
Can you afford a decent replacement? (no point buying another piece of rubbish)

 

[Will 1594]

How do people cost out to either repair or replace a piece of machinery?

I'm talking a well worn machine that NEEDS work doing to it - among other things - vs replacing it with a second hand machine

What is it

 

[tw15]

What machine and what's wrong with it for starters .

 

[steveR]

My calculation, such as it is, usually builds in a very high figure on the "what will happen if it breaks down just before it rains"...

Secondly, if I know the machine well, I have probably been getting a good indication it's coming to the end of it's life, (with me at least) as the repairs become more commonplace. These breakdowns are likely to happen at inopportune times. See above

 

[ARW]

To make the decision worse is when you do buy new it can still let you down

 

[livestock 1]

I do try hard to repair things to keep them going but there comes a point when things have had it.
I can be dubious of a second hand replacement when in reality the replacement is often much better than what I’m trying to use.

 

[Gerbert]

If the cost to repair doesn't make sense versus the cost of replacement then you buy a different machine. Best thing is when it is not a well known fault, then you just buy the same thing and keep the old one for spares. It is is a known weak point that's gone sideways you might wanna take the hit and repair, given that the repair actually makes the machine worthwhile. If the repair is just a bandaid, well, that's a different case.
However I have rarely been in a position that I wanted the very same machine back, I always want something better one way or another. If it actually the case you really want to have the same thing again it should be do-able to calculate the difference between the value of a worn and a new machine versus the running costs (so that you know if buying new makes sense).

 

[Steevo]

To make the decision worse is when you do buy new it can still let you down

.....and need a dealer to fix it because you don’t know it as well as the old one.

 

[DeeGee]

A new machine can still have a puncture on Sunday morning or on Christmas Eve.
The chances of two older models both having a puncture on those occasions are slim.

And the moral of this tale is, that when you are writing to Santa this year try a new approach and don’t be too greedy: maybe just be realistic and settle for two older Loadalls instead of one shiny new one to be on your lawn when you open the front door.

 

[GeorgeK]

I really enjoy refurbishing a faithful but worn out machine, although it inevitably turns into a restoration and blows the budget but you end up with a really nice one you know inside out

 

[Zippy768]

I usually get to a point when I am totally fed up mending it. Financial calculations don't usually come into it.

A few thoughts to help though:

Does it do the job (when working)?
Do you like it? (surprisingly relevant!)
If you spend too much repairing one part, how likely is it that something else will fail?
How often is it used?
Do you have access to an alternative if/when disaster strikes?
Can you afford a decent replacement? (no point buying another piece of rubbish)

Ok, to answer your questions

- If the repairs were carried out, it would do the job.

- I'm not one for sentiment with machines. But its inability to do the job currently makes it awful (and time consuming) to use

- the main repair now needs to be done. If one spends money on that then we will have to address other issues to avoid potential expensive breakdowns.

- this is were I struggle. It's used everyday, but definitely not ALL day.

- we have another same but different machine that is in fact used more. That is older and shackier but is also worth jack sh!t and seemingly bulletproof. Dad is of the belief that we have a luxury in running 2 machines, but I am now of the belief it is a necessity. When 2 machines get so old, you really need the backup.

- can afford, but not one to spend money

 

[Zippy768]

A new machine can still have a puncture on Sunday morning or on Christmas Eve.
The chances of two older models both having a puncture on those occasions are slim.

And the moral of this tale is, that when you are writing to Santa this year try a new approach and don’t be too greedy: maybe just be realistic and settle for two older Loadalls instead of one shiny new one to be on your lawn when you open the front door.

We do run two of these machines.
But when they are both getting shacky, and one almost doesn't have the ability to do its job. You have to question the wisdom of chucking money at it.
The replacement would certainly not be shiney new

 

[Zippy768]

Recently I have also questioned in how my father has done things. I'm not complaining, just maybe not agree on things.
We have always made time for things. If something breaks, we fix it. "Done it before, and we'll do it again". Making time effectively means ones own time.

I have a young family. I dont want to work all the time. In this particular scenario I just think it's an opportunity to buy a machine that drags us forward. Things done quicker and less bothersome.
I'm not sure that shows up in calculations.

My dad will always find a solution, and then always opt for the cheapest possible version of the solution.

 

[Grassman]

Still don't know what it is?
I'm guessing telehandler?

 

[PSQ]

Easy.

Run the old one ‘till it’s knackered. Stick it in a farm sale, and use the money to buy a new one. Probably with change left over...
(Thank you to the person who bought my 30 year old ‘well used’ single rotor topper, for £60 less than the cost of its shiney new twin rotor replacement ).

 

[Dave645]

I usually get to a point when I am totally fed up mending it. Financial calculations don't usually come into it.

A few thoughts to help though:

Does it do the job (when working)?
Do you like it? (surprisingly relevant!)
If you spend too much repairing one part, how likely is it that something else will fail?
How often is it used?
Do you have access to an alternative if/when disaster strikes?
Can you afford a decent replacement? (no point buying another piece of rubbish)

All of the above.
Some times it’s better the devil you know, as above if you have a spare or have access to a spare then unless the repair is major as in is going to cost more than the thing will be worth even when it’s working, and you actual think it will be good once done then it maybe worth fixing.

So for me the question is if the project needs time or money, if it’s just money then look at what it’s worth if you don’t fix it and what it will if you do, and can you fix it your self or not.


I run two old combines while neither are perfect (what is at 40 plus years old). I can happily run them because I have 2.
the one good thing with older machinery they tend to be simpler, so often can be self repaired.

so my advice is, if like the quoted poster said “ you like the item”, then get a spare, ideally of the same model you currently have so at least, one can be used to supply spares to the other.

we have 5 MF 20 balers, I run 2, (roller ram) but having spares on tap, and a spare working machine, I can always get the job done, and repair any break down for next to nothing, from the other 3 sat about. Most only cost £150 to buy and they all have baled straw at one time or another on the farm. . .

the cost of only owning one of anything is always going to be high either in time or money. Time as in break downs even with new kit, and money as when you totaly depend on one item it has to be in tiptop nick which always costs more.

 

[Will 1594]

All of the above.
Some times it’s better the devil you know, as above if you have a spare or have access to a spare then unless the repair is major as in is going to cost more than the thing will be worth even when it’s working, and you actual think it will be good once done then it maybe worth fixing.

So for me the question is if the project needs time or money, if it’s just money then look at what it’s worth if you don’t fix it and what it will if you do, and can you fix it your self or not.


I run two old combines while neither are perfect (what is at 40 plus years old). I can happily run them because I have 2.
the one good thing with older machinery they tend to be simpler, so often can be self repaired.

so my advice is, if like the quoted poster said “ you like the item”, then get a spare, ideally of the same model you currently have so at least, one can be used to supply spares to the other.

we have 5 MF 20 balers, I run 2, (roller ram) but having spares on tap, and a spare working machine, I can always get the job done, and repair any break down for next to nothing, from the other 3 sat about. Most only cost £150 to buy and they all have baled straw at one time or another on the farm. . .

the cost of only owning one of anything is always going to be high either in time or money. Time as in break downs even with new kit, and money as when you totaly depend on one item it has to be in tiptop nick which always costs more.

Dave , going tommorow to pick up an old b47 Baler , been sat in a shed all oiled up and a sheet over it sat in a dry barn for last 20 years asked the chap if it ran ok he sent me video of it running and he shook out a couple round bales and ran it up . Works perfect , good enough to bale 800 bales a year , for £500 and when you rub dust off it it’s really very good in its paint no rust. . Quite nostalgic when used to have two when a youth at home bales thousands a year with them with a 990 brown @norse and loaded Trevor Jones “le”. With major and nu way nipper when he first had old Bedford in 75/76 droughts


Dave and to, Think you have to like machinery and like tinkering , like you instead of buying new fancy one trick ponies. keep looking for bargains or some thing that needs fettling ,nearly got two of every thing now , and mix and match of tackle to suit every season ,
Bought the most ugliest 4 m cousins subsoiler with a good razor packer for 600 at a sale , got asked what the hell will you do with that too big for down road , . Brought it home took the gas to it made it 3m. And cut packer tube. Down , sleeved it welded up , got mate to laser cut some new legs to take shakerator points. . Vwalar. Machine set up for the flinty shite sand and keep new subsoiler with low disturbance legs for the kind land

 

[Dave645]

Ok, to answer your questions

- If the repairs were carried out, it would do the job.

- I'm not one for sentiment with machines. But its inability to do the job currently makes it awful (and time consuming) to use

- the main repair now needs to be done. If one spends money on that then we will have to address other issues to avoid potential expensive breakdowns.

- this is were I struggle. It's used everyday, but definitely not ALL day.

- we have another same but different machine that is in fact used more. That is older and shackier but is also worth jack sh!t and seemingly bulletproof. Dad is of the belief that we have a luxury in running 2 machines, but I am now of the belief it is a necessity. When 2 machines get so old, you really need the backup.

- can afford, but not one to spend money

Having two is ok if they are both ok, if one or both are not then look to replace one, with one that is, the spare just lets you have a fall back if the replacment turns out to be less than reliable.
You always want one that will do the job 90% of the time and you think it will, that 10% it isn’t, is what the spare is for. When it has a flat tyre or another simple break down, if both are in a bad state then look to get one replaced or run 3.