MM wheeled tractor, rare, sells at Polk Auction

I believe it is the UDLX. Quite a tractor for it's time.


Matt

Yes that’s a M-M “UDLX” tractor. “ They were only about 125 of these special tractors were built, even though he company made a big advertising effort. Back in 1938, money was hard to come by, and the $1,900 list price was hard to sell against the $1,000 for a John Deere or Farmall. With this model, M-M offered the first production tractor with a cab. It included such features as a radio, heater, defroster, and windshield wiper. Ideally, one could work the UDLX in the field all day, take it to town in the evening. The idea was a forerunner of things to come, but production ended in 1941”“Encyclopedia of American Farm Tractors By. C.H. Wendel, Editing and Design by George H. Dammann. Crestline Publishing“

The local M-M dealer where I was raised had one for a few days and he took it all over the valley showing it off. But a way to much money at the time. gwhdiesel75, Thanks again for the photo's and your time.
Kelly

The $80,000 range seems to be the neighborhood these things sell for unrestored. I was at an auction a couple of years ago where a UDLX was on the block, in rougher shape than the one pictured above and missing a few of the key sheetmetal parts, and did not run. The bidding stopped at $80,000 but the owner had a firm $100,000 reserve on it so it didn't sell. Even though these machines will considerably surpass the 100K mark after restoration, one has to keep in mind not only the machanical expense of a restoration, but the considerable cosmetic expense of all that sheetmetal on there, which adds up to quite an investment if the buyer isn't going to do the work themselves.

Toby, that is a thoughtful response. I have noted over the years that when I write remarks about economics, including tractor collecting, I never get a response on this bb. So I am making sure that doesn't happen to you.

I have written about antique tractors as an "investment". The few responses I ever received were to dismiss "investing" as a legitimate reason for owning the tractors. These are the same people that think if you don't make your living running machinery, you are not a "real" man, shouldn't be in the club, not a "real" collector, etc.

Your cautionary comments once again point out how easy it might be to invest too much money in a tractor. Rare even as the model might be. Good thinking. Actually, I have done that on more than one occasion. Many others have too.

There is a parallel, in my view, between Germany of the 1920s and the US of the year 2011. Inflation has encouraged, among other things, purchasing "collectibles" of all sorts. Including antique tractors. But if and when the economy collapses, you can't eat collectibles. And in Germany, they found that "priceless" art and other high-end collectibles didn't sell for much when one needed a loaf of bread for his family.

The trend of prices garnered by antique tractors, including Caterpillar, Holt, and Best, will be most interesting over the next year or two. Being an owner, I hope they hold up, but I'm not particularly optimistic. And if they hold steady, with inflation, that means the proceeds gained from a sale are not worth as much as before - i.e., you might have a "paper" profit, but not a real one.

GWH

if you want another chance at one there is one June 5 on Aumann auction
http://www.aumannauctions.com/index.php?subp=1&sct=2&pg=ap&pid=20331

George

I read all your post, although I dont respond to a lot I share your views on most, In my case I do a lot of my own work and still seem to have more into these machines than thier worth. As you know I am not a real operator but have Great appretiation for those that do, I would think over time Ill get my money back with a modest gain, in the mean time it keeps me out of the bars and away from the cigarettes. That alone is a net gain😖mokin:

Hey Steve, you share a weakness with President Obama: cigaretts! I enjoy a good cigar from time to time, although I haven't smoked one in over a year. GWH

Its just like I've heard Curt Aumann say at his sales. "I never paid too much for a tractor, I just bought it a little ahead of its time." I too hope the values hold but as far as them being an investment, I would have to be willing to part with them for them to be an investment.