Estate clean up

[B-MAN]

Looking for advice for selling antique tractors from an estate.

My dad passed away and left behind a collection of about 18 antique tractors in various stages of operation ranging from 75% disassembled, not running but might run with some work to at least 1 running. The collection consists of John Deere A & B's, Farmall B and Cub, Ford 9N, Allis Chalmers WC and D17, Minneapolis Moline U and Z. He also collected a number of farm engines which I have no idea of their state of operation.

Is an estate auction the best way to sell? I have a complete list of what my dad paid for things during the 1990's and after perusing this website, seems that I'll have to lower expectations for what things are worth today.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Janicholson]

The issue is running or basket/parts missing. If you have knowledge, or know a friend with it, getting as many running as possible is a solid advantage. If not running but motor free putting a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder then doing a compression check and putting it in a spread sheet to be printed for each one it applies to. Noting those stuck is also a good way to let people know that you are not selling without disclosure. Making sure (best of ability) that known components go with their tractor. If advertised well they can bring good return. As is they are not very desirable. Jim

 

[J Hamilton]

My opinion would be an auction. And not just any ol auction company, one that has experience with antique tractors and equipment. Such as Aumann Auctions Vintage Power. Or another company experienced with this type of equipment, and they may even be able to help identify what parts go to what machine, although some are dismantled they would be considered a "parts tractor" and probably not be worth much. Might be better than dealing with people who are trying to get something for nothing or being bothered by people who just want this part or that part, not the entire machine. And as another person said, if you can get some to run with some tinkering, that would help them sell. Best of luck

 

[NY 986]

Looking for advice for selling antique tractors from an estate.

My dad passed away and left behind a collection of about 18 antique tractors in various stages of operation ranging from 75% disassembled, not running but might run with some work to at least 1 running. The collection consists of John Deere A & B's, Farmall B and Cub, Ford 9N, Allis Chalmers WC and D17, Minneapolis Moline U and Z. He also collected a number of farm engines which I have no idea of their state of operation.

Is an estate auction the best way to sell? I have a complete list of what my dad paid for things during the 1990's and after perusing this website, seems that I'll have to lower expectations for what things are worth today.

Thank you for your advice.

It is understood that in an auction items are sold as-is where-is. This would be the best way to sell the tractors and associated parts which saves haggling. If anything has real value it will be maximized especially if the auctioneer has an online provision for selling. Where is the estate located?

 

[Bruce from Can.]

One thing for certain in my mind, you really don’t want to spend much money getting theses old tractors running. I watch auction sales and running tractors don’t bring as much money as a new set of tires is worth for the tractors. The right guy will pay more than scrap , but trying to connect with that right guy is the problem.

 

[NY 986]

One thing for certain in my mind, you really don’t want to spend much money getting theses old tractors running. I watch auction sales and running tractors don’t bring as much money as a new set of tires is worth for the tractors. The right guy will pay more than scrap , but trying to connect with that right guy is the problem.

Advertising and online bidding brings out people that tend to pay on the high side of what things are worth. I don't think that the OP needs Polk's or some other high end auctioneer. Just someone who frequently sells farm equipment. Even the C list auctioneers here get excellent participation these days. At least around here auctions do not happen all that often meaning attention is not split between a few sales on a given day. If the OP has the skillset to go through the inventory to clean, air up soft tires, make sure the engine is loose, etc. will help bring out the top value of each piece.

 

[cdmn]

My opinion would be an auction. And not just any ol auction company, one that has experience with antique tractors and equipment. Such as Aumann Auctions Vintage Power. Or another company experienced with this type of equipment, and they may even be able to help identify what parts go to what machine, although some are dismantled they would be considered a "parts tractor" and probably not be worth much. Might be better than dealing with people who are trying to get something for nothing or being bothered by people who just want this part or that part, not the entire machine. And as another person said, if you can get some to run with some tinkering, that would help them sell. Best of luck

I remember going to auctions 30 years ago where Allis Chalmers were sold as various parts. They added up to more than the usual
$1200 that a running WD or WD45 would get. Don't know how long that lasted, and don't recall that there was that kind of demand
for other brand tractor parts. There once was a lot of love for old Allis's.

 

[docmirror]

Do you know any close friends of your father that share his interest in vintage tractors and equip? They might be a good source of info on the value of the estate, and also how to liquidate it the best, and most equitable way.

Estate sales need to have good advertising. You need a lot of people there to make a good price on rare equipment. On here, we all might have interest in the old tractors, but beyond our small world here, the rest of the planet takes no notice of very old iron stuff. It's a small market, and getting smaller all the time.

Ask one of your father's friends to help out, or at least oversee the process. Estate sales can go a lot of different ways.

 

[used red MN]

Hello B-MAN, welcome to YT! The mention of seeking out a specialty auction company would pivot on one question for me. Will their commission charge be prohibitively higher? I am only saying this because the tractors you listed are all very common models except maybe for the Molines, but they rarely command an unusually high price. The bulk are not rare or unusual so in my opinion calling in a power name auction company in this case if they have a higher fee will just eat up the offset they might gain you. If you would have described multiple tractors with shinny paint jobs running like sewing machines I may have had a different opinion, but nearly the opposite is what you have.

 

[JOCCO]

A few thoughts, As Nicholson said running/moving is worth more and easier to sell. Getting them to that point could be cost prohibitive. Parts tractors or basket cases generally don't bring a lot. Another option is if you or you dad had any friends that are mechanical have them help you and give him one of the tractors as payment. (I have been in that deal couple times.) How much time do you have? if you want once and done than auction. If you have no time issues sell individually. Another option is get a used equipment of tractor restorer to buy the collection out. But you will probably not get a good price on that one.

 

[showcrop]

I have a hunch that the big name auctioneers, like any other business are limited in what they can undertake by number of staff. It couldn't hurt to contact one or two but I doubt that they would see adequate potential to get imvolved.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Auction is the only way to do it. If you try to sell them piecemeal by yourself you'll be at it for years.

Try to find a local outfit that does online auctions and farm equipment. Where is the estate located (not the exact address, the town)? There is a possibility that someone here may have a recommendation. If you had a barn full of shiny restored tractors it might be worth going with a big national name auctioneer, but they're not going to want to bother with a bunch of basket cases and parts. Oh, they'll do it, but you won't have much if anything to show for it once it's all gone. They take all their expenses off the top BEFORE they deduct commission.

You don't have to go with the first place you call. Feel free to call around, get some quotes.

 

[johnlobb]

Like some have said, your location is very important. Where exactly is this happening?

 

[544hydro]

Looking for advice for selling antique tractors from an estate.

My dad passed away and left behind a collection of about 18 antique tractors in various stages of operation ranging from 75% disassembled, not running but might run with some work to at least 1 running. The collection consists of John Deere A & B's, Farmall B and Cub, Ford 9N, Allis Chalmers WC and D17, Minneapolis Moline U and Z. He also collected a number of farm engines which I have no idea of their state of operation.

Is an estate auction the best way to sell? I have a complete list of what my dad paid for things during the 1990's and after perusing this website, seems that I'll have to lower expectations for what things are worth today.

Thank you for your advice.

I’m sorry for the loss of your Father.

 

[caterpillar guy]

If you are interested buy the lot from the estate and fix them yourself then use, sell or whatever you chose as you go. Not going to be a profit in fixing to sell. Parts and tires will eat what you make faster than you can make it. If other hiers that waht their share just sell at auction if not up to you. Some might be better parted out dollar wise.

 

[Steve in IL]

Looking for advice for selling antique tractors from an estate.

My dad passed away and left behind a collection of about 18 antique tractors in various stages of operation ranging from 75% disassembled, not running but might run with some work to at least 1 running. The collection consists of John Deere A & B's, Farmall B and Cub, Ford 9N, Allis Chalmers WC and D17, Minneapolis Moline U and Z. He also collected a number of farm engines which I have no idea of their state of operation.

Is an estate auction the best way to sell? I have a complete list of what my dad paid for things during the 1990's and after perusing this website, seems that I'll have to lower expectations for what things are worth today.

Thank you for your advice.

In my opinion, even if you do eventually end up with an estate auction, I’d first try to reach out to some local contacts or clubs that can provide (would likely enjoy) some local knowledge & insight. Perhaps friends of your dad’s?

And as others have indicated, spend a bit of time with family on what everyone really envisions for all this stuff. Balance that against what everyone “needs” financially. Perhaps some donations to local museums (and an appropriate tax write off) is the way to go.

 

[NY 986]

Hello B-MAN, welcome to YT! The mention of seeking out a specialty auction company would pivot on one question for me. Will their commission charge be prohibitively higher? I am only saying this because the tractors you listed are all very common models except maybe for the Molines, but they rarely command an unusually high price. The bulk are not rare or unusual so in my opinion calling in a power name auction company in this case if they have a higher fee will just eat up the offset they might gain you. If you would have described multiple tractors with shinny paint jobs running like sewing machines I may have had a different opinion, but nearly the opposite is what you have.

Those MM's that he lists are very common for that brand.

 

[shaun wallace]

Most all of them charge 25-35% commission.

 

[NY 986]

Looking for advice for selling antique tractors from an estate.

My dad passed away and left behind a collection of about 18 antique tractors in various stages of operation ranging from 75% disassembled, not running but might run with some work to at least 1 running. The collection consists of John Deere A & B's, Farmall B and Cub, Ford 9N, Allis Chalmers WC and D17, Minneapolis Moline U and Z. He also collected a number of farm engines which I have no idea of their state of operation.

Is an estate auction the best way to sell? I have a complete list of what my dad paid for things during the 1990's and after perusing this website, seems that I'll have to lower expectations for what things are worth today.

Thank you for your advice.

Extensive "wrenching" seldom pays off on common tractors. On a complete tractor make sure the engine turns over by hand before attempting any other work. The most I would recommend doing unless you can find somebody to be an on site advisor is make sure the engine has oil then hook a battery up to see if the starter spins over. Then maybe put a small amount of gas in the fuel tank to see if it will start or tries to start.

 

[Watthour]

I just did this in 2022, but it was over 30 tractors, implements, some modern/working equipment, and tons (literally, tons) of parts and supplies from blocks, heads, cases, radiators, wheels, etc.

Again, knowing you location could be helpful to point fingers at a possible solution.