330 barn find

golfcartman · Feb 21, 2019

Found this 330 S today in central Ms. In a barn and the lady wants to know what it might be worth. I couldn't tell if motor is stuck or not, didn't have a hand crank or battery. Overall pretty fair condition, tires cracked but hold air. Has alt. On it no battery. Cultivator frames but didn't see any feet. Front weight and rear wheel weights. Sheet metal is rusty but not beat up. The hood says 430 so it's been changed. Everything else says 330. Serial number is 330116 which makes it a 1958. Hood is not on but it is there. She would appreciate and info. About what it's worth from you guys. Thanks Larry

NY 986 · Feb 21, 2019

Hard to say. Any water in the crankcase or transmission case? You won't want cracked tires on it at a show. It could take many many dollars to make it good enough to take to a show. Not many 330 S out there so it is worth more than scrap. I don't have a good feel on a price but will shoot out 2,000 dollars the way it sits only because they bring ridiculous money all fixed up. A collector might go more than 2,000 dollars.

Loren in Iowa · Feb 21, 2019

Might that be a planter, with the boxes missing, rather than a cultivator?

tomstractorsandtoys · Feb 21, 2019

A agree with you that it could be a very expensive tractor when finished if done to collector standards. I would say you are a little low but with not knowing more about it maybe not. Tom

960 · Feb 21, 2019

No way you will know unless you online auction it. Worth more than $2000 to me and I bet many others.

gagor · Feb 21, 2019

That tractor is worth a lot more than is being discussed on here. The lady NEEDS to either have it on Ebay or take it to Polk's auction next month. She will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome, many times more than the $2000. discussed here. It needs to be advertised and auctioned, which those 2 sites will do. Good luck, a nice find for her.

Dan in Ohio · Feb 22, 2019

golfcartman,

You have gotten good advise here if she really wants to know how to get the most for it and settle for what it brings at auction. IF YOU want it but do not want to steal it from her discuss the whole process to get an idea of what she and you would feel comfortable with. Items for discussion; sentimental attachment , labor and risk involved with hauling to high profile auction many miles away, value identity of said attachment , shared ownership, any children involved that may have an interest. Be upfront and honest and you will both come out ahead .

Dan in Ohio · Feb 22, 2019

After a second look that implement/attachment looks to be a cultivator with a fertilizer attachment missing the fertilizer box.

ss55 · Feb 22, 2019

Normally I would say old tractor values are falling fast, especially those in rough condition, but this one might be an exception. There were 839 model 330S built, and 252 model 330U for a total of 1,091. Compared that to over 12,000 model 430, 10,000 model 530, 20,000 model 630, 33,000 model 730 and 8,000 model 830. Many JD collectors have one of all the 30 series two cylinder JD tractors except a 330, so even a parts tractor will have a high value and a restorable 330 would be worth more. I suspect it will easily sell for more than a 730D in the same condition.

Until the owner can have it appraised, I would ball park it at $10,000 to protect the seller. The appraisal may be lower.

MSM · Feb 22, 2019

Probably $5-7000 in it's present state, and another $6-8000+ to bring it back to pristine condition. Which would put you in it for about what it will bring done. While they are somewhat rare the prices are falling on them along with the rest of the collector tractors.

NY 986 · Feb 22, 2019

An appraisal means only so much. An open auction is the best venue to determine value unless the woman does not want to sell it. Fairness works both ways and I knew of people buying sitting high crop tractors out of that area. The salt air of the gulf condensates inside the tractor and can render a lot of parts to scrap. So if she has it sent to Polk's it should be disclosed that the tractor sat not run for many years in MS. If she gets 10,000 dollars with the facts out in the open then more power to her.

Galen Houk · Feb 22, 2019

Very hard to know for sure but I was also thinking $10,000. That's where I would start.

Billy C. · Feb 22, 2019

I think the $10000 estimate is way too high. One with new paint and new tires sold Nov, 3 in the same area for $11500 at auction--local auctioneer--not one of the big ones like Polk or Auman's.

NY 986 · Feb 22, 2019

I had it pegged at 13-13.5 redone. I don't know how much a local auctioneer matters. I saw the poorest advertised 1972 4020 for auction with 4 other sales going within 100 miles and it still brought what it was worth. The key is how wide that auctioneer advertises. If he is hitting at least 100 miles out the right people will see it including people in JD clubs and the word will spread from there. Sure it is likely Polk might get you an extra 1,000 dollars or so but what is his commission versus the local machinery auctioneer? What is going to be the cost to ship that 330 from Mississippi to Indiana? Probably more than that extra 1,000 or so that Polk will get you. For years the area antique tractor show including 2 cylinder expo used a local auctioneer who was not even top tier in the area for their sales. Never heard anybody mutter about being better off loading up and having gone to Polk's.

larryanderson · Feb 22, 2019

Total agreement needs to go to Polks as is. It will bring exactly what it is worth.Collectors love those 330s.

M-MAN · Feb 22, 2019

As is and with no more information I would stick with the $2,000 figure. As is it's just an old tractor. Rare but just like a 430 rode hard and put up wet. Most all were. Too many folks thinking war pension price and those days are gone for good. No matter what the cost you would have to invest $10,000 to make it worth more than the original $2,000. Might happen but there's no way I would try.

D- · Feb 22, 2019

They aren't as high as some of you think.
Polk has one for sale for $23,500.
That is a cultivator with side dresser.
Neither worth much since not complete. No
rear tool bar either.
Those were used in vegetables down there.
Here they were used in tobacco.
I have fixed two of them up in the past.
I think $2000 is nearer to right than those
higher prices. If it only needed cosmetics
then that would help some but look under
the seat. Being in a barn I doubt any water
in the tran. Air would not be salty unless
near the Gulf.
I think M-MAN is very close on both his figures.
And the ten to fix it might be low.

andwwils · Feb 22, 2019

There is no such thing as a John Deere 330 "part's tractor." This is a rare machine that someone will buy to restore. You just have to get it to the right people. Go with eBay. $2,000 is giving it away. $5,000 would be ballpark. $7,000 is max value. In my opinion.

ss55 · Feb 22, 2019

How do the prices of a restored 330 and 430 compare? The two tractors share so many common parts I would not be surprised if the buyer pulls shared parts off a good running 430 to get decent quality parts for the 330 restoration.

golfcartman · Feb 22, 2019

Thanks to everyone for your input on the 330. I will pass all this info. along to my friend who lives next door to the owner and she can make her decision. This tractor is a good 4 hour drive from the gulf coast so I don't think the salt water/ air is going to be a real factor.

buickanddeere · Feb 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 19:14:39 02/22/19) How do the prices of a restored 330 and 430 compare? The two tractors share so many common parts I would not be surprised if the buyer pulls shared parts off a good running 430 to get decent quality parts for the 330 restoration.

330 has more in common with the M and the 40 with the exception of the hood.
As far as usability, a slant steer 420/430/435 if optioned with live pto and a SCV are collectable and can pay for their keep.

88Sooner · Feb 22, 2019

(quoted from post at 20:17:16 02/22/19)

(quoted from post at 19:14:39 02/22/19) How do the prices of a restored 330 and 430 compare? The two tractors share so many common parts I would not be surprised if the buyer pulls shared parts off a good running 430 to get decent quality parts for the 330 restoration.

Click to expand...

330 has more in common with the M and the 40 with the exception of the hood.
As far as usability, a slant steer 420/430/435 if optioned with live pto and a SCV are collectable and can pay for their keep.

I would have to agree with bout everyone on here Celt the guy that thinks it will bring 10

NY 986 · Feb 23, 2019

Not trying to pick on anyone but the rusting on the front panel and light tells me it gets pretty humid where the tractor sits.

bollweevil · Feb 24, 2019

Larry, I will be coming thru your area next week and would like to look at it if possible. Give me a call 256--656-7089. Thanks

330 barn find

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