Need advice! Bro-in-law has Dad's tractor!

Merle

My brother lives south a bit in Millersburg, and a couple of years ago I helped him drop some stuff off at his church, and there sat this NF Ford 4000 at the edge of the parking lot. Sheet metal was all there, but sure is taking a beating. The fella whom owns it lives in Kentucky or Tennesee, and loaned it to his brother up here a couple of decades ago. As I understand it, for the most part it gets tinkered with and fired up once a year, maybe couple of years. And where ever it gets shut off, thats where it sits until next year or so. My brother says the church members would like it gone, and the fella who's leaving it set is the nicest, easiest going, give you the shirt off of his back kind've fella, so no one will mention it to him but keep suggesting that someone do it. So my brother asked me to make an offer to the fella. I looked it over, and sure needs some attention, but would make a great little tractor that I neither want nor need, but what the heck...throw her in the barn and tinker with it when get time, and who knows? Ok, oh brother of mine, ask the fella if he'll sell it, and if the deal's ok, I'll pick it up. A couple of weeks later my brother mentions that the fella says no, aint for sale. That was over a year ago. Been meaning to drive by and see if its still setting the next time I'm down that way, but always forget. Maybe next time. Sure was taking a unexcused weathering and dryrotting the last time I saw it though. Don't remember if it even had a coffee can over the stack back then.

Mark

I like junk yard dog's idea, make an offer, buy it legit if dad agrees. I think 2 grown men having a dispute over a tractor is ridiculous, I'd explain your reasons, does have sentiment value to you, plenty of tractors to go around, if a B is his fancy.

"Dad" did what he wanted and son got his feelings hurt. Nothing the old man could have done at that stage would have solved the problem. He was only going to make someone mad. He'd already upset one family member, why make that TWO.

I'm not trying to say this is what happened in your case, just that it's your dads decision and that's that.

I'd start by talking it over with your BIL. Let him know how much you'd like to keep your fathers old tractor. You'd be suprised at how some folks can be understanding when you don't expect that to happen. If that fails, well, talk to dad one more time. Then you just have to except a bitter pill if you don't get what you want. That's the way life is sometimes.

And yes, I do think it's a shame to let a tractor with that much sentimental value go to waste. That's what finally happened to my FIL's Oliver.

Now, I am assuming that this BIL is married to your sister? Maybe the best course of action is speaking with HER, and getting her on your side. Explain that your intentions is to save Dad's tractor from sitting idle and wasting away. Maybe she can help break the ice...

Am I way off base?

Mahalo,
doogdoog

Tell him that Dad's tractor has a sentimental value to you, it's going to wreck and ruin, he's not using it, and ask him to let you have it to take care of. It's kind of a luxury to have a tractor used only for plowing snow in the winter and having a back up for that that sitting unused and deteriorating.
The worst he could say is no and you'd be right back where you are right now.

Also.. Your BIL should invest in a 99$ tube frame/tarp structure to keep those gems out of the elements.. even if only part time.. etc.

Soundguy