County sale barnBarnBridge
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Selling guide

How to price used farm equipment

Price it too high and it sits. Price it too low and you give money away. Here is a straightforward way to land on an asking price.

A practical method used by farmers selling their own machinery.

1. Start with a ballpark

Use the calculator below for a starting range based on type, size, year, hours, condition and options. Then look at similar machines for sale in your region — same type, similar size, within a few model years.

2. Adjust for your machine

Low hours for the age, fresh service, new tires and a clean paint job push you to the top of the range. Leaks, worn tires, a missing loader or a machine that needs work push you toward the bottom.

Be honest with yourself. Buyers will find the problems, and a fair price up front saves weeks of haggling.

3. Set your asking price

Most private sellers ask a bit above what they will take, leaving room to negotiate. Asking far above the market mostly gets you no calls.

Good photos, the hours, a serial number, service records and an honest list of what's wrong sell a machine faster than a lower price does.

4. Choose how to sell

Selling it yourself usually brings more money but takes longer. An auction sells it on a set date, usually for somewhat less. See the auction vs. private sale guide for the tradeoffs.

Get your starting number

Value your equipment

What are you pricing?
Make
Model
Engine horsepower

On the spec plate or in the model number — a 5075E is 75 HP.

Model year

Anything from 1950 to 2027.

Hours on the meter

Utility tractors run about 200 hours a year, so about 1,600 is normal at this age.

Condition

The honest middle. Most used machines land here.

What it has
State

Pick a state — freight and local demand move the number.

Estimated value

Example

This is a sample machine. Change any field to price yours.

$38,500 – $52,000

mid $45,000

Sell it yourself (asking range)
$38,500 – $52,000
Auction hammer range
$29,500 – $41,500

Hammer $35,500 → you net about $34,080 after the 4% seller fee ($75 min, $2,500 cap).

About what it cost new
$68,000

Estimate only. Built from typical new cost, a standard farm-equipment depreciation curve, hours vs expected hours for this class, condition, options, and brand residual. Not an appraisal, offer, or guarantee.

List this machine at $45,000Start an auction with reserve $29,500

What moved this number

  • 8 years oldWorth about 61% of the $68,000 it cost new
  • 1,500 hoursRight about average for its age (1,600 expected)
  • GoodThe baseline every other number is built on
  • 4WD / MFWD front assistAdds about 8%

On BarnBridge right now

Same class, nearby year and hours, from listings on this site. Outside dealer lots are not in this tape yet.

Common questions

How do I figure out what my farm equipment is worth?
Start with a value calculator for a ballpark, compare similar machines for sale in your region, then adjust for your machine's hours, condition and options.
Should I price my equipment high and negotiate down?
Ask a little above what you will take, but stay close to the market. Machines priced far too high get few calls and end up selling for less.
What helps used equipment sell fastest?
Clear photos, the hours, service records, an honest description of problems and a fair asking price.
What does it cost to sell equipment on BarnBridge?
Listing equipment on BarnBridge is free. Equipment auctions carry a 4% seller fee ($75 minimum) and a 5% buyer premium ($75 minimum), each capped at $2,500, and no subscription is required.

Keep reading

Ready to sell?

Equipment listings are free on BarnBridge. Auctions carry a capped fee and no subscription is required.

See equipment for saleAll guides

Estimate only. Built from typical new cost, a standard farm-equipment depreciation curve, hours vs expected hours for this class, condition, options, and brand residual. Not an appraisal, offer, or guarantee.