But the supply of top-quality pieces is low. Hence, the inflated prices. Government payments also could have contributed to the shortage of prime used equipment. Uncle Sam's checks have given farmers just enough confidence to buy quality used equipment but not enough cash to buy new. The upshot of all of this is that to find bargains, you're going to have to hunt for them.
Location Think geographically and watch trends.
A long drive could save you money. North Dakota is another area to watch for low prices brought on by recent production problems and low commodity prices. Peterson's service is one way to pinpoint likely hunting grounds. Checking out prices at various Internet sites also can give you an idea about where bargains might be hiding. A recent Internet search found more than 100 Web sites keyed to used farm equipment.