Biotech Studies 1993, Vol 2, Num, 1     (Pages: 001-014)

ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF USED TRACTOR PRICES

Ahmet BAYANER

1 Taria Bitkileri Merkez Araşt. Enstitüsü, ANKARA - Farm equipment is becoming an increasingly important financial asset for many farmers. Tractors probably represent; the single largest component of equipment asset value. As such, changes in tractor values can have a dramatic effect on a farmer's financial situation. Changes in equipment value can be attributed to depreciation and production value of the output. The general objective of this study was to identify a specific set of variables explaining changes in equipment value and to determine the relative importance of these variables. The Box-Cox power transformation technique was employed in estimating the depreciation patterns. The method was applied to used tractor auction prices. Remaining value (RV), defined as the real market price in time (t) divided by real purchase price, was regressed against several independent variables. These independent variables were age, usage per year, condition, horsepower, manufacturer of the tractor, and regions where tractor was sold. A number of these variables had some important impacts on RV. Depreciation patterns differed between manufacturers. Significant differences in remaining values (RV) existed for different regions of the U.S. An increase in usage produced a noticeable decrease in RV. The usage tented to have greater influence on RV when the tractor was newer. The results did not closely approximate as clear depreciation pattern. The depreciation patterns are accelerated relative to straight-line method and a combination of the geometric and sum-of-the-year's digits functions. Keywords : Box-Cox power transformation technique; depreciation; tractor; depreciation patterns