Old fiddler
Member
I must be a scrapper - I would have grabbed that off the front lawn in a heartbeat- set down the ramps and tug it up into the truck bed - 
Trash picked GT3000 917.273012 w/Kohler twin and 6 speed
- Thread starter vintagerust
- Start date
vintagerust
Member
Around here, every day before trash collection we get a string of rusted out, banged up old trucks and guys who drive around taking anything they can sell for scrap. They don't usually miss much but lately they've been absent, ether the city has cracked down on people picking up stuff off the curb, (there's an ordinance saying that once it hits the curb its city property), or its not worth the cost of gas to haul it to the junk yard anymore.
I used to have an old guy who would stop by when he found something interesting, he would trade good items for scrap or aluminum cans. I would collect aluminum cans at work and a bag of aluminum cans was fair trade for a chainsaw, mower, tractor, etc. I've not seen him or any of he other scrappers lately.
The red Craftsman found a home as expected, but it was pretty much turn key tractor that just needed a new home. I took $950 as offered and also sold the same guy a pair of older Craftsman chainsaws that I considered parts saws at best. Its one less thing to take up my time. I think the Cub Cadet is more worth my time.
I like the winch idea. I carry a come along and a 20ft chain. My truck has a tall cap on it, and I've got a set of long ramps that I keep on the sides up high, they hang from the bed rails on hooks so they're out of the way. (Harbor Freight 7ft long steel ramps). My one trailer tilts and has a two speed winch. Sort of like a roll back for tractors and motorcycles. I pull a large motorcycle on the back and it'll self level and lock as I roll up the ramp. The winch is manual but the two speeds and huge spool are fast. I can back up, hook a tractor and have it n the deck and tied down in less than a minute.
It was built for small farm tractors and big mowers, the deck sits over super heavy duty 8" tow dolly wheels so it can take at least a ton.
I used it years ago to haul a Farmall 140 between two fields I planted.
the deck is about 5x10ft or so with a good bit of rear overhang which makes for a good approach angle.
The winch is on a stand at the front and that stand moves with the deck which pivots over the axle. When tilted the rear deck sits on the ground. You know its loaded and balanced when the deck tilts back into place. The only bad part is that its super low and hard to see behind the F350 with a cap and dark windows. I have to add some marker poles or something so I can see it at night.
The seat on the GT3000 is a lot better after I moved it back the additional 4" or so. Its still hard to get on and off of compared to the other models but at least a grown man can fit on it now.
I used to have an old guy who would stop by when he found something interesting, he would trade good items for scrap or aluminum cans. I would collect aluminum cans at work and a bag of aluminum cans was fair trade for a chainsaw, mower, tractor, etc. I've not seen him or any of he other scrappers lately.
The red Craftsman found a home as expected, but it was pretty much turn key tractor that just needed a new home. I took $950 as offered and also sold the same guy a pair of older Craftsman chainsaws that I considered parts saws at best. Its one less thing to take up my time. I think the Cub Cadet is more worth my time.
I like the winch idea. I carry a come along and a 20ft chain. My truck has a tall cap on it, and I've got a set of long ramps that I keep on the sides up high, they hang from the bed rails on hooks so they're out of the way. (Harbor Freight 7ft long steel ramps). My one trailer tilts and has a two speed winch. Sort of like a roll back for tractors and motorcycles. I pull a large motorcycle on the back and it'll self level and lock as I roll up the ramp. The winch is manual but the two speeds and huge spool are fast. I can back up, hook a tractor and have it n the deck and tied down in less than a minute.
It was built for small farm tractors and big mowers, the deck sits over super heavy duty 8" tow dolly wheels so it can take at least a ton.
I used it years ago to haul a Farmall 140 between two fields I planted.
the deck is about 5x10ft or so with a good bit of rear overhang which makes for a good approach angle.
The winch is on a stand at the front and that stand moves with the deck which pivots over the axle. When tilted the rear deck sits on the ground. You know its loaded and balanced when the deck tilts back into place. The only bad part is that its super low and hard to see behind the F350 with a cap and dark windows. I have to add some marker poles or something so I can see it at night.
The seat on the GT3000 is a lot better after I moved it back the additional 4" or so. Its still hard to get on and off of compared to the other models but at least a grown man can fit on it now.
vintagerust
Member
I put new blades on it, changed the oil and filter, the belts and tires were like new, installed a new seat and pan, and listed it for $999. It was listed for two months without a single serious message on FB and CL. I got a bunch of $100 and even one $300 offer if I deliver it 400 miles away but nothing else. The hit counter says 7 people have looked at it.
One message said "No one wants any antiques here".
Five told me it has the junk K46 transmission and should be scrapped. The ad clearly states it got the Peerless 6 speed and none of these ever used the K46.
There are now over a dozen listed, all under $100, but all in rough shape or missing their deck or motor.
It kind of goes along with the total lack of real traffic on Marketplace and CL here. no matter what you list you only get flippers or scammers it seems. Its the rare occasion something does sell. With 1,200 items listed, you would think something would get a hit on FB but items rarely do.
I've not had a real sale on CL or FB in 8 years here.
They no longer sell a machine anything close to this at any of the box stores, every last one of them has small tires, no lugs, and a hydro trans with either a Briggs Intek or Kohler Courage motor, or a new MTD branded, Chinese made motor. I didn't see a single 'garden tractor' there. I'm not even sure if there is anything still being made even close to the size of this Craftsman GT these days without spending $10k for a JD.
Auto Doc's
Lawn Addict
Get a Square D account on your phone and tell them you will take a credit card (so they can reverse the charges before they leave your shop). LOL (Happened to me, and it took 3 months to resolve after charges were filed for theft by credit card)
Selling anything L&G used has practically become a losing proposition these days. No one trusts anyone these days
Most consumers think that buying new gives them some kind of "guarantee", only to find out they have been sadly tricked by the worthless warranty and all the delays that come with it.
I've had better luck selling by local word of mouth sales and road front shoppers who will buy it if they can hear it run and it will operate correctly. Nothing leaves without a thorough test run by the buyer and they are satisfied.
I don't warranty anything anymore because people will take advantage of you if you let them.
Selling anything L&G used has practically become a losing proposition these days. No one trusts anyone these days
Most consumers think that buying new gives them some kind of "guarantee", only to find out they have been sadly tricked by the worthless warranty and all the delays that come with it.
I've had better luck selling by local word of mouth sales and road front shoppers who will buy it if they can hear it run and it will operate correctly. Nothing leaves without a thorough test run by the buyer and they are satisfied.
I don't warranty anything anymore because people will take advantage of you if you let them.
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
Marketplace is where I list equipment occasionally and it usually sells for list cost and fairly quickly. Every area is different. Good pictures and description of equipment and service/repair help with sale.
ILENGINE
Lawn Royalty
They will try to get the a dealer to sell a used mower for bottom dollar, and get upset that you won't sell that $1,000 mower for $100, but then will turn around and run that same mower up to $2,000 at the auction and think they got a good deal.
vintagerust
Member
I've got a neighbor with an acre of grass that always needs mowing, anyone buying anything is welcome to go next door and try it out, the neighbor won't complain. He hates mowing.
It don't take a rocket scientist to look at a machine and see its had no real use either. Anything that's 30 years old with no signs of rust or paint loss underneath is an easy tell its been indoors somewhere its whole life and not been out mowing grass.
I've listed lots of things on FB Marketplace and on CL, things rarely get a reply, on FB, there's a hit counter, ad after two months, the tractor has had 2 hits listed in 18 places on FB,
On a few local FB sites, in various areas I got a few people who want it delivered but I'm not hauling it 500 miles, and unless its in this area, I'm not delivering it for free, and not before its paid for. I'm not hauling it 50 miles only to have them think they're renegotiating the price once i made the drive. One guy emailed asking if I'd let him use it for a few weeks and he'd buy it if he likes it. Sorry, not interested in renting or loaning it out, or giving it away either.
It don't take a rocket scientist to look at a machine and see its had no real use either. Anything that's 30 years old with no signs of rust or paint loss underneath is an easy tell its been indoors somewhere its whole life and not been out mowing grass.
I've listed lots of things on FB Marketplace and on CL, things rarely get a reply, on FB, there's a hit counter, ad after two months, the tractor has had 2 hits listed in 18 places on FB,
On a few local FB sites, in various areas I got a few people who want it delivered but I'm not hauling it 500 miles, and unless its in this area, I'm not delivering it for free, and not before its paid for. I'm not hauling it 50 miles only to have them think they're renegotiating the price once i made the drive. One guy emailed asking if I'd let him use it for a few weeks and he'd buy it if he likes it. Sorry, not interested in renting or loaning it out, or giving it away either.
Auto Doc's
Lawn Addict
Basically, the many auction and antique shows have corrupted the used equipment sales market. Everyone is running around looking for a cheap deal they can "flip" for a huge profit with no effort.
Even the live farm and ranch auctions have lost their appeal around my area, most are like visiting a scrap yard, but people are still asking at least 50% of what retail states on their smart phone.
Even the live farm and ranch auctions have lost their appeal around my area, most are like visiting a scrap yard, but people are still asking at least 50% of what retail states on their smart phone.
vintagerust
Member
There used to be a dozen or more huge consignment auctions around here every spring and every fall but now there's none. Its a combination of the auctioneers who ran them getting old and dying with no one to replace them, a lack of attendance, and a lack of things bringing enough money to cover the cost of advertising the event.
I think the last one was 11 years ago. At that point attendance was about 1/2 of the year before. The sale brought in everything from farm equipment to cars, trucks of all sizes, and home items both new and used. It covered about 300 acres and ran for three days. The sale went on till the auctioneer there collapsed in the middle of an auction and had to be rushed to the hospital in his 80's. The quality of what showed up was random but it was good for a few tractors a year. The scrapers would stop bidding at $10-$15 on most tractors, the flippers would go to $50 or so at best, and there was always a few hundred in each sale so there was always a few $5 and $10 finds.
I had a guy flip out on me once because I out bid him to $105 for a turn key running Power King 2416 with a disc and plow and snow blade. He stopped at $100 and walked away. It ran, but the snow blade hydraulic ram on one side was bent.
I would have gone to $200, maybe $250, it was that clean.
It drove onto my trailer for $130 with the buyers premium and sales tax.
9 other bidders were furious that it sold for so much, including the one guy who I suspect was also the seller. He followed me out with it and kept offering me $140 and then $150 to buy it in the parking lot after the sale, when I refused he kicked my trailer and threw a temper tantrum saying I stole it from him, he was 'supposed' to be the winner if I didn't show up. I dared him to kick the trailer again, hoping he's break his foot, then drove away. Another younger guy kept telling him if you want it, make him an offer but he stopped at $150 and walked away looking like he was about to explode. They pulled up along side of me with the younger guy just shouting how much will it take to buy it right now, I told him $1k and its yours and I keep the attachments. They looked at each other like they were considering it but wound up the window and burned tires out of there. They followed me half way home but turned off after about 80 miles or so.
I spoke to another guy and they said that old man owned a small engine shop and dealer somewhere about an hour north of where that sale was. The seller of record on the bill was not him, which was a thought that came to mind at the time. it had been consigned by some woman with a hobby farm up in CT. It was a left over that didn't sell at a former auction in NY and the auctioneer had offered to included it in the next sale he was doing. I later found out that she also had a Jeep, and a trailer in the sale, both of which sold for cheap, I think the Jeep went for $300, and the trailer for $1,500 but the trailer was homemade and the Jeep was a four cylinder stick shift model with no ac. (80's model Cherokee). It had low miles but the no ac part and 4cyl killed it for me, along with the fact my trailer didn't have room for a jeep or trailer that day.
I think the last one was 11 years ago. At that point attendance was about 1/2 of the year before. The sale brought in everything from farm equipment to cars, trucks of all sizes, and home items both new and used. It covered about 300 acres and ran for three days. The sale went on till the auctioneer there collapsed in the middle of an auction and had to be rushed to the hospital in his 80's. The quality of what showed up was random but it was good for a few tractors a year. The scrapers would stop bidding at $10-$15 on most tractors, the flippers would go to $50 or so at best, and there was always a few hundred in each sale so there was always a few $5 and $10 finds.
I had a guy flip out on me once because I out bid him to $105 for a turn key running Power King 2416 with a disc and plow and snow blade. He stopped at $100 and walked away. It ran, but the snow blade hydraulic ram on one side was bent.
I would have gone to $200, maybe $250, it was that clean.
It drove onto my trailer for $130 with the buyers premium and sales tax.
9 other bidders were furious that it sold for so much, including the one guy who I suspect was also the seller. He followed me out with it and kept offering me $140 and then $150 to buy it in the parking lot after the sale, when I refused he kicked my trailer and threw a temper tantrum saying I stole it from him, he was 'supposed' to be the winner if I didn't show up. I dared him to kick the trailer again, hoping he's break his foot, then drove away. Another younger guy kept telling him if you want it, make him an offer but he stopped at $150 and walked away looking like he was about to explode. They pulled up along side of me with the younger guy just shouting how much will it take to buy it right now, I told him $1k and its yours and I keep the attachments. They looked at each other like they were considering it but wound up the window and burned tires out of there. They followed me half way home but turned off after about 80 miles or so.
I spoke to another guy and they said that old man owned a small engine shop and dealer somewhere about an hour north of where that sale was. The seller of record on the bill was not him, which was a thought that came to mind at the time. it had been consigned by some woman with a hobby farm up in CT. It was a left over that didn't sell at a former auction in NY and the auctioneer had offered to included it in the next sale he was doing. I later found out that she also had a Jeep, and a trailer in the sale, both of which sold for cheap, I think the Jeep went for $300, and the trailer for $1,500 but the trailer was homemade and the Jeep was a four cylinder stick shift model with no ac. (80's model Cherokee). It had low miles but the no ac part and 4cyl killed it for me, along with the fact my trailer didn't have room for a jeep or trailer that day.