Lower sales of new tractors in 2017 continue to drive the second-hand trade, according to Cheffins’ Chairman William King.

The current low levels of stock meant competition among buyers for quality tractors and machinery was very high at yesterday’s auction, he said.

Close to 200 tractors were on offer at the second plant and farm machinery sale held by UK selling agents Cheffins in Sutton, Cambridgeshire.

“There was a continued strong trade for quality tractors with a good representation of export buyers, especially from Ireland, Spain, Poland and other European countries.

It was a double whammy really. The weakness in the pound was stimulating trade, while much lower sales of new tractors meant there was fewer second-hand tractors on the market.

Late registered John Deere and Massey Ferguson lots proved popular at the auction, with these selling in the mid £30,000 (€34,800) range, he added.

Cheffins’ February plant and farm machinery sale had a smaller entry of stock compared to previous sales and agents have already began sourcing stock for the next sale on March 6, King said.

“We’re working to satisfy the demand for stock. Fertiliser spreaders, ploughs and trailers proved popular in this month’s machinery sale.

At the auction in March we will expect to start seeing some of the grass machinery becoming popular again.

Top Sellers

Similar to last month, John Deere tractors continued to attract the highest interest and the top bids.

Cheffins Feb JD 8430

A 2008 John Deere 8430 with around 6,000 hours on the clock sold for £57,000 (€66,170), the top price of the day.

Meanwhile, two John Deere 6190Rs sold for £54,000 (€62,700) and £47,000 (€54,560) respectively at the auction.

The highest-selling 6190R was sold with front linkage and PTO, while both John Deeres had less than 4,000 hours of work done.

Cheffins Feb JD 6190R

A batch of 5612 Massey Ferguson tractors entered into the sale by a finance company attracted a lot of interest from buyers.

These 120hp tractors all had close to 1,200 hours on the clock and sold for around £33,500 (€38,890) each.

Source: Cheffins

Source: Cheffins

Looking at smaller tractors, a 1996 New Holland 5635 with a Trima front-loader sold for £9,000 (€10,500).

Cheffins Feb NH 5635

A price of £17,000 (€19,735) was received for a 2009 Zetor Proxima 85 Plus, with a Traclift 120 front loader.

This tractor, which is capable of a top speed of 40kph, came direct from a local farm and was sold with quick-attach link arms and a pick-up hitch. It had only 1,700 hours on the clock.

Cheffins Feb Zetor w loader