News Machinery News Record-breaking prices given today for premium iron COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be suppressing used iron prices particularly if the sale items are late-model, have low hours, and are in great condition. By Dave Mowitz Dave Mowitz In 1982 Dave came to Successful Farming as a senior editor first covering agronomic topics and then machinery. He went on to serve the nation's farmers as executive editor of Successful Farming Magazine and editor of the Ageless Iron Almanac, a bimonthly publication covering the hobby of agricultural collectibles. Dave recently retired from the Successful Farming family but continues to serve the organization as a contributing editor. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 6, 2020 Close Take a 2016 Deere 9570RX with 1,126 hours that sold today for $310,000 during an online sale conducted by Steffes Auctioneers. My research finds that is the highest price ever paid for a comparable tractor (by both age and hours). Mind you, this was a five-year-old tracked tractor that brought over $300,000! But tracked tractor sales were brisk during this online auction of equipment being sold by Kibble Equipment. READ MORE: Over 100 online iron auctions the first part of April For example, a 2015 9570RT with 2,190 hours went for $202,000. Otherwise, a 2018 Deere 8370R with 2,000 hours sold for $261,000, and a 2015 8295R with 1,480 hours went for $169,000. Strength in tractors sales this close to planting starting in the Midwest is understandable. But how do you explain the $72,500 paid for a 2018 Deere 645FD draper header? True, the header was fully loaded and appeared to be in pristine shape. Still . . .$72,500? That price makes its another record breaker for three-year-old Deere draper headers. It turns out that all draper headers were of high interest online during this auction. Other draper sales included: $56,500 given for a 2017 640FD $40,500 bid on a 2015 640FD Combine values were equally strong at today's Steffes auction. That may be surprising for a Midwest sale. But remember that: Online sales of late-model, low-hour equipment from the Midwest are always strong. It is not unusual for 60% or more of the high-horsepower, late-model equipment at a live auction selling online and often to buyers located several states away. Wheat harvest isn't that far away considering it will be in full swing in Texas by mid-June if not sooner. Evidence of strong harvester values was seen in the $198,000 sale of a 2016 Deere S680 with 989 separator hours. True, this harvester was fully loaded. But I saw comparable newer combines selling the last several years for $140,000 or less. This particular sale is a harbinger: Low-hour combines in cherry condition are going to bring premium prices either at auctions or in dealers' lots from here on out. READ MORE: No April Fools! Nine online iron auctions today Other combines' final bids at today's sale included: $159,000 for a 2018 Deere S770 with 1,036 separator hours $146,000 for a 2016 S670 with 1,055 separator hours $145,000 was the final bid for a 2015 S670 with 684 separator hours There are a slew of online auctions being held the first week of April as a result of previously scheduled live sales being canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Almost all of these auctions were subsequently moved online and rescheduled for the first two weeks in April. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit