Paperwork on a new purchase

I've decided to go ahead and buy my first ever old, real tractor...looks like it's gonna be a Super A. This forum was a big part of that decision....thanks for that.

Question here is what kind of paperwork do you guys normally get. I'll get a signed bill of sale, but do you look for some kind of proof of ownership? A transferable registration as you would on an antique car maybe.

I may be over-worring this a bit...to many lawyers and insurance people in the family perhaps.

thanks again for your opinions.

Farm tractors are not registered in my state. Transferable registration would be out of the question where I live. Signed bill of sale by previous owner might be a good idea. I have purchased tractors and brought home doing nothing more than right a personal check to pay for it. Haven't ever ran into any problems. I would make an effort to get the owners manuel or anything like that, that they might have for it. They are alot of times forgotten about, but always come in handy down the road if you get to working on it or want to look something up. Seems like I never end up with those though.

Your over analizeing. A signed 'bill of sale' by the
seller stating sale price and SN is sufficient.If
you pay by check,then you will have the cancelled
check.Tractors are not liscenced,dont have titles.

Ok that does sound reasonable...thanks

I've only ever gotten any paperwork on a tractor purchase twice. Once when I bought from a salvage yard, and once when I bought at an auction.

The rest were straight up cash deals. We never really ever got past first names in most cases. Most were 100+ miles away, and I never really told them where I lived.

If I was buying closer I might write up a simple bill of sale and ask them to sign it.

If I hand someone cash for something, I get a bill of sale.
even if it is just handwritten on a scrap of paper.

Especially if I'm out in east bodunk where I know nobody and
the seller knows everybody....................

I only buy old equipment with cash. Better deals that way.
And I don't feel comfortable handing a stranger a check with my
name, address and bank numbers on it.
(and most sellers don't want a check anyway)


And for the ownership question, engines, seat boxes, rears, etc
on these old machines have been swapped so many times.....impossible.
Best thing to do is turn your internal alarms up to max.
Anything doesn't 'feel' right about the deal/seller.....walk away

In New Jersey in 1966, the IH dealer issued a state title with all tractors sold (140's anyway). The title was required if you wished to put plates on it (which we never did--the tractor has never left the property except to pull some fool out of a ditch down the road). 140's were commonly used by road departments and those tractors all had plates.

I inquired about transferring the original title (still in my father's name) after I inherited my 1966 140 from my mother in 2001, but the DMV said that was only possible if the tractor had plates.

Here's what goes on all my Bill of Sale agreements for TRACTORS. I dont bother with implements. You may argue that it is overkill, but from a legal perspective, you cannot be too careful. The important part here, is that the seller indemnifies you against liens, co-owners, previous owners, etc. If the onwer is on the up and up, they should not have a problem signing:

[i:19e736f9b6]"The sale is subject to the following conditions and representations:
Seller acknowledges the total receipt of $X,XXX for the equipment described above in Sale Item No. 1.
Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that:
• Seller is the lawful owner of the above referenced equipment with the full legal right and authority to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and to sell, transfer and convey the above referenced equipment in accordance with the terms hereof;
• the transfer of the above referenced equipment is rightful;
• the above referenced equipment is free of all liens, encumbrances and liabilities whatsoever, and is free and clear of any lawful/adverse claims of any person whomsoever and are not transferrable to Buyer;
• Seller shall diligently defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and Buyer’s lawful successors, partners, executors, heirs and assigns from any and all adverse claims made against the above referenced equipment by any persons whomsoever; and
• to the best of Seller’s knowledge, the information and facts disclosed herein with regard to the above referenced equipment and its title are true and correct in all material respects.

By signature below, the Seller agrees to the conditions and representations expressed in this Bill of Sale. "[/i:19e736f9b6]