Ford 5600

There are two 5600s coming up for auction,not running,not seized.Are they a decent machine?Both have good tires,will bid up to 1000 on each.Are they worth it?

With good tires? Unless everything else is just completely trashed, yes.

It will surprise me if a non-running 5600 sells for any amount close to a $1000 at auction. I would think more like $3000

figure a minimum of $4800 plus shipping and core return, for a rebuilt "full block" engine and your running again. If the engines are siezed.. what else is worn out, and on its last leg. So buyer beware. And if your "core return" is no good, your out more, as a siezed engine could very easily have a damaged block...
I can buy 5600s from $4000 to $6000 at auction all day long running but needing tires or paint. Last month bought a 7710 with ford loader for 5k.. running good, missing cab glass, but ugly. Why tires are pricey, for a keeper tractor, they are a very reasonable maintenance investment like putting a roof on a house or painting a house. Tires are an easy to have installed by most any tire shop, so its not like having to do a double split by one of a very few expensive dealers. And all tractors will need tires sooner or later, you are just going to have your tractor tires last much longer since you replaced them up front.
If your buying to sale the tractor, the tires must be factored in as they can totally ruin any profit you might make on the short term.

5600's can have broken steering pivots on the bolsters that are a $700 dollar part if you can find the part at that price any more. These are broke by running over logs, larges rocks, or holes with the front tires.. (ask me how I know) the new holland part is almost double last time I checked.

So..unless they are low hour, new tires, and everything else checks out and they are $1000 or less... pass them up.. Or buy them to part out and sell parts on pallets across the country.

So no matter how good the base model is... only three things matter when buying a used tractor. condition, condition, and condition.

sotxbill: Tractors must be cheap in your area, around here for a 5600 if the engines not seized and the rear tires have 50%+ thread and not dry rotted you'r looking at $2500 min or it'll go to a tractor salvage yard.
A few years ago at a state auction I bid $3200 on a 4630 that had been broke in half, it had been hit by a car, salvage dealer out bid me.

As for that running 7710 with no glass, I'll give you your money back and you can keep the loader.