Farmall Model B stolen, Final chapter

Thought I would tell the story of my B that was stolen from a storage shed back in 2005. The tractor theft was reported and Farmers Ins paid off and had a chek to me within 2 weeks.

I then kept a record of the serial number in my wallet on the slim chance I would run across it at a show or for sale along the road. Would you believe that it showed up at a tractor show fully restored and was the raffle tractor for that year.

Then the fun started after I reported it to the police who in turn advised the Ins company who in turn advised the tractor club that their raffle tractor was HOT. They were a little upset with me for finding this tractor after this period of time. It turned out the B was sold a number of times before it ended up with the club.

The police were not interested in pursuing the matter because of the time elapsed and relative low value of the B. It was settled by the Club paying off the insurance co on the amt they settled with me so they could get a clear title.

Moral of the story; Insure your equip if its in a place where it could be stolen and keep a record of the serial numbers. Too bad the thief got away with it.

Thats a good story there. I keep my A in the barn, with the doors closed in a fenced in yard.
I suppose a tractor out in some barn out in some field could get nabbed without being seen.

Thieves can be very daring.We had two JD chuck wagons taken from a machine shed on an abandoned farm.They hadnt been used for several years and the tires were questionable but they are gone with no clue where.They even took some of the electrical power lines.A local large truck dealer lost at least 20 batteries right out of his truck line up along a main hiway and they sold them at a salvage yard with in a mile and the new gal at salvage yard paid them in cash.Front end weights have been disappearing and have been sold for $200 a ton which is $10 each and the salvage yard put them off to the side and was trying to sell them.The salvage yard went broke after borrowing over 25K from the County Developement Fund.

Sorry you had this happen. What an interesting twist you found it. I'm curious if it had been tracked back to the 'original' scoundrel.

A great moral indeed. Makes me thing I should double check that I have [b:21b2a7da6e][u:21b2a7da6e]ALL[/u:21b2a7da6e][/b:21b2a7da6e] serial # recorded. Also photos of ALL. My insurance covers everything without any 'riders'.

This action could also help those we see posting looking for 'their old family tractor' and they have nothing to go on.

A very good posting, thanks.

Don,
I also live in Wisconsin, Sauk Co.; what show did you find your tractor? A guy I know had the spark plug wires stolen off his H Farmall at the Badger Steam & Gas Show a couple yrs ago.
LA in WI

Sounds like in the process they made 25 grand from the county.

Lowell he was making snare traps for food winters are rough in Wi. Have a good Thanksgiving remember we have the best of the best and so far in front of whats in second place thats why nobody wants to leave.

I do have the serial number of mine on the bill of sale, but I leave it in my front yard much of the time.... think I'll go move it to the fenced back yard. Lot of utility trailers seem to go missing around here if not tied down or a lock on them. I leave mine locked on my pickup hitch most of the time.

Am I safe to assume it was the Racine County one? Iirc that was a B. I saw it at Walworth County Fair. I was a litte disappointed in the restoration. I think they have done much better in uears past.