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What to do with old tractors and parts

M

MLH

New User
My Dad, at 83, is getting to the point where he needs to start clearing out his barns/sheds. He isn't sure he agrees but his wife and my brother are telling him he does... 8) He at least agrees that it is better that he tell us what these things are than for us to be left with a pile of equipment but no idea what is trash vs what is an antique.

That said, where are the best groups/forums to list old tractors, tractor engines and parts? I fell like ebay and Craigslist aren't exactly the answer for these.

I'm going to go to the farm tomorrow to help inventory what is there, so all I have to go on so far is:

2 Mighty Mite tractors:

- 1 partially disassembled
- 1 As Is with plow

Serial numbers 2494 & 2644 (I have no idea which one is which serial number)

These are not barn kept tractors. One of them has been sitting outside for at LEAST the last decade. I'm not sure where the other is/was.

And I know this is a bit OT, but also any ideas of good places to sell things like old bull horn cutters and that kind of farm stuff, would also be appreciated.

Thanks[/list]
 

I saw those but couldn't tell if they were actually used. So good to know that they are! I will start listing stuff within the next week.

Still open for other places to list.

As a side note, my Dad lived in St Cloud about 45 years ago...
 
The classifieds on this site may be "looked at" but not by nearly as many people as the more mainstream outlets. No offense to this site, but I have not been able to sell anything on this site, not even a nibble. I have had much better luck with Ebay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Your widest audience and best money will come from Ebay. Craigslist is if you don't care how much you get for it and just want to get rid of it. Facebook is only slightly better than Craigslist.

If it's something special that you're looking for top dollar you may want to consider a site like Tractor House. Possibly look into a collector auction like Aumann or Mecum, as that is where the biggest wallets and biggest crowds will be.
 
Hey, I', 83 and not selling my tractors, lawn mower, garden tiller , boat, motor and trailer etc.
Got things to do yet.
 
MLH..... Would it be possible for you to post photos of the two Mighty Might tractors? Thank you. Wingnut
 
The estate I just bought a bunch of farm related equipment and other things from was owned by an old fellow that passed away,up until just a few weeks before he died he loved to take family and visitors out to the equipment sheds and talk about how each piece was used over the years.The member of the family that is handling the estate said her uncle would be tickled to death that I was actually going to put some of the old equipment back to work,he bought most of it new kept the original and sale information on each piece.
 


I am 71 and still very active. I am getting rid of stuff. I don't want to burden my son and daughter. As I am working in my shop, and getting something from a shelf I frequently find something that I put there 20 years ago, and have not touched since. Out it goes. Advertised for sale or to the transfer station. Vehicles or implements are put into useable condition. I may not sell them but I make them sale-able. After all this is what we enjoy doing right? And next week I could be gone or unable to do it.
 


I am 71 and still very active. I am getting rid of stuff. I don't want to burden my son and daughter. As I am working in my shop, and getting something from a shelf I frequently find something that I put there 20 years ago, and have not touched since. Out it goes. Advertised for sale or to the transfer station. Vehicles or implements are put into useable condition. I may not sell them but I make them sale-able. After all this is what we enjoy doing right? And next week I could be gone or unable to do it.
 
The way I look at it is it's his stuff
and his business what he wants to do
with it. The kids have had a lifetime to
learn what was what but apparently
weren't interested.

I tell my kids they get to worry about
getting rid of my stuff AFTER I'm gone
along with all the stuff they left here
when they moved out. Fair is fair.
 
Another good solution tell the kids no problem you'll cut them all out of your will and leave everything you own to someone who appreciates the things you
own,that will get their attention and be an attitude changer in a hurry.Bet they won't think your assets are a big 'burden' after that.
 
We aren't making him get rid of anything. We have asked that we inventory it so we know what it is. Partially dis-assembled motors with no markings are just 'motors' to us. To him they are for a 19XX tractor made in Duluth MN. The Mighty Mites he has agreed to allow us to list for sale.

And let's be honest. Agreeing to inventory and list for sale is very different from ACTUALLY selling it. It wouldn't surprise me if he allowed a parade of buyers in just so he could tell the history of the stuff but then not sell a single piece of it :lol: What is the reverse of a tire kicker?
 
Actually I think that is pretty common knew a fellow that had several tractors setting in the side yard that could be seen from the road he enjoyed having people stop in and ask about them,no harm in that.He was between Lynchburg and Danville VA on US29 I stopped by and talked to him several times when I went thru the area very interesting fellow, last time I stopped the tractors were gone and the house empty guess all good things have to end.
 
A list of all the items will be of great help to make sure dad's treasured equipment does not get hauled off to the junkyard without further thought. That a potential
buyer may have the opportunity to buy something that will be cherished as much in the new home as it was at dad's. Some dads are capable of knowing when it is time
to call it a career while others do no fore planning so it is left to the kid who may have been excluded from sharing in dad's appreciation of the equipment. People here
sometimes take offense where none was given. Don't give up on this board as their are people here who will simply answer the question versus airing what are family
problems by telling someone to get lost. Wish I could help with the actual questions but do not know anything about the products in question.
 
MHL, welcome to the form, I see you are a new user. As you can see by the replies, when you post something on here you will get a wide variety of
opinions and perspectives on your posting.
I think what you’re doing to help your father is very thoughtful and caring. Too many times I have seen families and relationships torn apart and
alienated when two things are not realized and accepted; 1. Our life on earth will eventually end, and, 2. In the big picture all the things we accumulate
actually don’t really matter. Some people are afraid or have a hard time facing these facts and need some help getting their affairs in order, and if we
can lovingly and tactfully help them to do that it is a benefit to all. I also realize that in some family dynamics this is impossible to do. Best wishes to you
and your efforts.
 
Another reason some do not want their kids pushing them to sell their stuff before death is they do not want to know their "treasures" are worthless in todays world.
 
Make something out of those old parts
cvphoto47896.jpg
 
X3. Even at a very young age, I’ve never Understood why someone’s adult children would sell their elderly parents property unless the money is desperately need by the parents. If is for ANY other reason, shame on
you. He will be gone soon enough. Better he pass’ loving you than hating you for selling his toys.
 
The plan to inventory today was abandoned, but I did get more pics of the Mighty Mites and a few other pieces of antique farm equipment. Including a horse drawn hay mower!


And for anyone who thinks we are forcing our dad to do or sell anything has never met him. I am not sure he has ever done anything he didn't think was his own idea in the last 83 years.


That said, I did clear a path through his barn today. Not by throwing anything away but by good old fashioned sweeping/shoveling of sawdust. Then I shop vac'd the path. Yep, I'm a horrible person.
 

I'm trying to attach photos but am getting error messages about being a bot... Off to upload to a public link. Because if tractor boards are like any other internet boards, then pics are critical!
 

I'm creating an album for just the Mighty Mites here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwJkBCuagqh5B1eb9
 
I will agree with that. Unfortunate fact too is the interest is waning considerably in the tractors from the 1940s and 1950s unless you've got something that's very low production. Some places now you can get a decent running Farmall H or Oliver 77 for $500 maybe even less.
 
Your photo addresses are fine - thank you for taking the time. And thank you for helping your Dad with this chore.

I don't have much in the way of tractors and implements, but I have many tools, including power tools. I would love for my kids to take enough interest to go through and inventory them with/for me.
 
(quoted from post at 14:31:25 06/23/20) Your photo addresses are fine - thank you for taking the time. And thank you for helping your Dad with this chore.

I don't have much in the way of tractors and implements, but I have many tools, including power tools. I would love for my kids to take enough interest to go through and inventory them with/for me.
Click to expand...

We aren't brave enough to even approach the subject of his power tools. Even that many of the ones with blades, even new ones, don't have the safety guards on them anymore...
 
Those are neat little tractors, I have heard of them but never seen one up close. Definitely rough but salvageable. They look very similar to my 53 bobbette tractor. Keep up the good work of inventorying what your dad has. I have seen too many people pitch everything of there parents' because they do not know what the stuff is and therefore it is just old and worthless. Even though I should still have 40+ years before it will matter,but I am already taking inventory for my own piece of mind.
 

If you love your family (kids, grandkids, wife, etc.) do them a favor and cut down or eliminate your junk before you pass. It is a huge burden to leave for someone else to dispose of your toys, that may be mostly trash to someone else. Don't be selfish and consider those that follow you!
 
We clearly under priced the Mighty Mites. I had 30 plus offers in under 36 hours. Many of whom were borderline rude in their desire to come get them RIGHTTHATSECOND.

After I listed it at the price my Dad chose, and got all those responses is when he mentioned that someone offered almost double 3 years ago... Uh, Dad, that would've been the price we should've started with. It does make me glad that I threw a few bucks more on the listing price just to leave room for negotiation haha.

He chose a much more aggressive price for the horse drawn hay mower. No responses in 3 days. I wonder how long until he drops the price on it...
 
Another reason some do not want their kids pushing them to sell their stuff before death is they do not want to know their "treasures" are worthless in todays world.
Click to expand...

Kind of related to the above...

My wife died last year. She had a pretty large collection of jewelry and "accessories" that were treasures to her. Asking my kids and theirs SOs if they would like to have it, the universal answer was "no. it's out of style, too old fashioned etc".

I know what it meant to my wife and that makes it hard to let go for the pennies on the dollar it would bring.
 
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