Greg “Machinery Pete’” Peterson has noted the strong performance of well-conditioned, pre-DEF used combines on the farm equipment auction circuit this summer, and “Pete’s Pick of the Week” checks that box yet again.
At an auction on Friday in Oberlin, Ohio, a 2006 Case IH 2388 combine with 2,361 engine hours and no header included (pictured top of page) sold for $120,000. That’s the second-highest auction price for a used 2006 Case IH 2388 since 2013, according to MachineryPete.com auction data.
The all-time record price came in on a like-new model with only 98 operating hours that included a corn harvesting head on Feb. 2, 2007. That record-setting machine brought $155,000 at an auction in Henderson, Ky. Here’s a link to the historic data on used 2388s sold since 2007.
“[Just] more confirmation of maybe one of the biggest trends of 2025, which I would say is the increasing buyer demand on really good condition, pre-DEF combines,” Pete says. “Of course, in green country, you know, it’s been a tough year, tough two years, because the price of new is so doggone high. When times are tight like this, folks tend to look for the nicest used [machines]. And, of course, pre-DEF you can work on them yourself.”
Upcoming Auctions To Watch
Pete has a pair of auctions he wants interested buyers to check out this week, both taking place Thursday, Aug. 14.
First up is Rebel Auction Co.’s Monthly Construction & Farm Equipment Auction in Hazelhurst, Ga., kicking off at 9 a.m. EST. That sale will feature over 450 machines across 1,400 lots, Pete says. You can check that sale out here.
And BigIron Auction/Sullivan Auctioneers Premium Equipment Online Auction is also wrapping up on Thursday. Online bidding is open now and the bids will close Thursday at 11 a.m. CST. Head here to check out the auction docket and get registered to bid.
Here’s Pete’s Facebook post with some pictures of the machines that are available in that auction:
Your Next Read: Is the Ag Economy in a Recession? Why Economists and Farmers Don’t Agree


