NGC John Deere 316 tractor

[Bob Wegman]

Ok, A friend of mine has a John Deere 316 tractor, lawnmower he hasn't used in quite some time.  It has been stored inside and out of the weather.  However, It hasn't run in a number of years,  it was only used to cut his grass, suburban home maybe about 2 acres of grass.  He has no plan to cut the grass anymore because he hires it out.  He is planning on selling the tractor.  It runs but probably has old gas and stuff,  couple of flat tires from sitting and so on.  Not abused but not exactly loved either.  What would folks say here about a fair value range for it? 

[Lannis]

That's a late 80's/early 90's "made in USA" Deere with either a 16 hp Kohler or an Onan engine.

It's good in that it was made by Deere before Deere started "outsourcing" that size mower to MTD and they started being the same thin-steel junk as the department-store brands ... on the other hand, it'll need cleaning up like an old bike would - maybe tires, certainly a battery, certainly the carb cleaned.

I'd say $600 - $700, but I don't know the market in your area ....

Lannis

[Bob Wegman]

Thanks Lannis,  It has the Onan two cylinder engine.

[Lannis]

Thanks Lannis,  It has the Onan two cylinder engine.

Engine will last forever ... and if it were up and running and cutting grass, it'd be worth twice what it's worth sitting on flat tires with old gas in it and old cracked belts on it .... but don't tell your neighbor!   

[Tom]

Tell him you'll cut his grass for an equal amount of his value for the mower.  No money involved.

[Lannis]

Tell him you'll cut his grass for an equal amount of his value for the mower.  No money involved.

That's a good idea to try, but, you know, people are funny sometimes about having neighbors or friends cut their grass for them.   My mom (when she was living) and my sister (now) would much prefer to pay someone to cut their grass.   I suspect that the reason is that if you aren't satisfied with the job being done (for any reason, even silly ones), it's a LOT easier to tell the "hired man" what to fix than it is your neighbor or friend ... can lead to hard feelings ....

Me, I'm all for barter and swapping even if I must compromise on my service level a bit ...

Lannis

[Tom]

Good point.  Kind of like loaning money to a relative with a written loan agreement.  If they don't want to sign then you shouldn't loan.