Ron in Nebr
Member
I honestly don't know of anybody who has gotten a useable tractor for "free", except of course like you mentioned one that was already in the family or farming operation. I got most of a "free" f-12 and parts of an f-14 because they were sitting on property my family bought.
That being said, it still IS possible, if you beat the bushes enough, to come up with old tractors that, if you're lucky, the owner will say you can have it for just the hauling away(which still isn't "free"). I have a regular that I need to pick up that's this way...but it needs pretty much everything before it'll ever run.
On the other hand, like you also mentioned, I recently inquired about a couple F-20's, stuck motors, parts missing, rusted out wheels, etc., that the owner seemed to think were worth 500 bucks apeice. Needless to say, they're still sitting there.
That being said, it still IS possible, if you beat the bushes enough, to come up with old tractors that, if you're lucky, the owner will say you can have it for just the hauling away(which still isn't "free"). I have a regular that I need to pick up that's this way...but it needs pretty much everything before it'll ever run.
On the other hand, like you also mentioned, I recently inquired about a couple F-20's, stuck motors, parts missing, rusted out wheels, etc., that the owner seemed to think were worth 500 bucks apeice. Needless to say, they're still sitting there.
Nebraska Cowman
Well-known Member
That's because people who work to pay for their tractor don't take time to answer surveys.
Nebraska Cowman
Well-known Member
Before my dad passed away, my mother had suggested to Dad that he sell his 460. Dad said no way they were going to sell it. After dad passed, Mom still took him seriously. She said she wouldn't sell it, but would give it to one of the kids. One brother didn't want it, the other had a compact JD with implements, so she said I could have it if I wanted. Of course I live over 500 miles away and thought I had no way to safely haul it. One of my nephews had bought a small acreage near the Amanas SW of Cedar Rapids, Ia, so I suggested giving it to him. Mom said he always wanted a JD, but I said just ask him if he would like his grandpa's tractor... he was tickled to death to get it, just like I thought he would be. Now I have two nephews that live close together and I think they share it.
Dean Olson
Well-known Member
I know of 1 free tractor story. Story goes that that guy bought Farmall SM to restore. Not running but the guy put 4 new tires on it to get it rolling. Stored it in his brothers barn. Never got around to working on it. Next thing you know the brother sells the acreage and tells guy to get it gone. Talks to my buddy about hauling it for him. Buddy get's it loaded and says where are we going? Guys say it yours, I don't want to mess with it. Buddy spent $200 and several hours on it and got it running. It's now stored in his barn ready for restoratiuon after he gets his 400 back together.
I personally have had 1 tractor offered to me for "free". I didn't take it. Too far gone and I didn't want to mess with parting it out or scrapping it.
I personally have had 1 tractor offered to me for "free". I didn't take it. Too far gone and I didn't want to mess with parting it out or scrapping it.
Rusty wheel
Well-known Member
Howdy IH fan. If you click on return to forum before you click submit you will go back to your message and you can correct it. I do that a lot. rw
I got my Super A for free. My brother in law bought it from a school and tore it apart, He had a engine shop do the work on the engine but it was still apart, He had cancer and not long before he passed he told me it was mine,I had told him I would buy it several times before but he figured he would beat the cancer, He didnt and gave it to me, I have had many want to buy it but never will sell it
right back at ya
New User
I grew up with a 1953 super c. when I was two or three, Id look at the manual, before I could read. Momma told dad someday when he was done with that tractor, It was mine. that was 1966.
Fast forward to 1996. dad decided to sell the farm. Momma had passed away. I protested the sale with all I had. But me being the youngest, I was overruled.
Folks, dividing up an estate can bring out the WORST in people. My brother and sister had come down, and started squabbling over things. I got so upset over their greed, I went down to the barn.....and stayed there. dad came down and asked me what was wrong. I told him I wanted no part of this, and I was going home. Fighting over what he and mom had worked for just wasnt right..
Dad seemed to understand. he said "before you go, hook up the trailer and take the super c with you. you can have the trailer too"
so I did, and loaded every two point implement that went with it.
When I came to the house with the load, that didn't set well with my brother and sister at all. I grabbed my checkbook and wrote dad a check for $2500.
Dad took one look at the check, got red faced, tore it up and threw the pieces at me. he turned to my brother and sister and said, " you two ought to be ashamed of yourselves'! I rolled out.
I was happy to get the super c, but that day, it wasn't the joyous occasion I thought it would be. I realized a big chapter of my life was closing, no more farm. as I thought about this, I cried.
The tractor is sitting in the garage, now restored. dad is gone now, out of all my iron, it's still my flagship.
Andy.
Fast forward to 1996. dad decided to sell the farm. Momma had passed away. I protested the sale with all I had. But me being the youngest, I was overruled.
Folks, dividing up an estate can bring out the WORST in people. My brother and sister had come down, and started squabbling over things. I got so upset over their greed, I went down to the barn.....and stayed there. dad came down and asked me what was wrong. I told him I wanted no part of this, and I was going home. Fighting over what he and mom had worked for just wasnt right..
Dad seemed to understand. he said "before you go, hook up the trailer and take the super c with you. you can have the trailer too"
so I did, and loaded every two point implement that went with it.
When I came to the house with the load, that didn't set well with my brother and sister at all. I grabbed my checkbook and wrote dad a check for $2500.
Dad took one look at the check, got red faced, tore it up and threw the pieces at me. he turned to my brother and sister and said, " you two ought to be ashamed of yourselves'! I rolled out.
I was happy to get the super c, but that day, it wasn't the joyous occasion I thought it would be. I realized a big chapter of my life was closing, no more farm. as I thought about this, I cried.
The tractor is sitting in the garage, now restored. dad is gone now, out of all my iron, it's still my flagship.
Andy.
I've gotten a few that I didn't have to pay for.
One was inherited, so that doesn't seem to count like a normal "free" tractor would. It's a Farmall A that my grandfather owned. I now have the farm too, so it was just sort of the natural thing to have.
The second is a Farmall A that is a basket case (cracked block, missing pieces, etc). It was given to me by a good friend. I hope to get to going when my son gets older, it can be his tractor.
The real gem of the group, and the one that I was lucky to get a hold of was my Super M. A friend of the family had it, used to to clear his property. He ended up buying a couple of FWA compacts that were much more handy to him. He wanted the space in his barn and didn't want to deal with maintaining it so he gave it to me. I offered to pay for it but he wouldn't hear of it. I send him a gallon of honey every year now, figure at least that's something!
So free tractors are out there, it just about who you know and how you treat them.
K
One was inherited, so that doesn't seem to count like a normal "free" tractor would. It's a Farmall A that my grandfather owned. I now have the farm too, so it was just sort of the natural thing to have.
The second is a Farmall A that is a basket case (cracked block, missing pieces, etc). It was given to me by a good friend. I hope to get to going when my son gets older, it can be his tractor.
The real gem of the group, and the one that I was lucky to get a hold of was my Super M. A friend of the family had it, used to to clear his property. He ended up buying a couple of FWA compacts that were much more handy to him. He wanted the space in his barn and didn't want to deal with maintaining it so he gave it to me. I offered to pay for it but he wouldn't hear of it. I send him a gallon of honey every year now, figure at least that's something!
So free tractors are out there, it just about who you know and how you treat them.
K
greyfoxxca
Member
the price of free is high.
Usually the tractors are seized and tire rotted off. And since it was a family member who gave it to you they expect that you will do wonders with it.
i have 4 free tractor and not a one close to anything like running. I have to get parts tractors to get them going.
I find that around $1000 is by far the cheapest tractor that I have found. Usually running good , all there and tires in reasonable shape. Check out things tune up and fix a few seals and paint. How can you beat that.
George
Usually the tractors are seized and tire rotted off. And since it was a family member who gave it to you they expect that you will do wonders with it.
i have 4 free tractor and not a one close to anything like running. I have to get parts tractors to get them going.
I find that around $1000 is by far the cheapest tractor that I have found. Usually running good , all there and tires in reasonable shape. Check out things tune up and fix a few seals and paint. How can you beat that.
George
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