Found tractor need help

so to make a long story short mom and dad got divorced not quite 10 years ago and had an auction and sold most of our equipment,( I still have a few tractors here, and help my grandpa farm his ground) growing up we had a tractor that I always called mine and I wanted it when i got older, well anyhow they sold it at the auction and I've always wanted to get it back.

I have found it not that far from where i live, I was hoping it was non running and in the weeds somewhere so I could talk them into selling it.

It appears to run because Its been moved once that I know of. It also apperas that it has been stored outside. It wasnt in the best of condition it had hydrallic problems and didn't look to good but the rearend and engine were good when we sold it.

How would i go about telling them that it has tons of sentimental value to me because I grew up on it? I stopped int here today and knocked on the door but no one answered. I dont have much money to offer them for it but culd scrape together some any sugggestions would be the very helpful thank you guys

I would not. Price will go up if you do.

I was in a situation like this. my father sold grandpa's 15-30 in the late 50's (didn't need it anymore, had better tractors, nobody collected antiques back then) it changed hands several times and we did try to buy it back, but the last owner was a collector and refused to sell. waited 10 years to buy it on his estate sale. Old Girl is back home where she belongs now.
patience is a virtue. Good luck.

Just politely ask if they would consider selling it. Like Gene said, don't go into the details of why you want it. If they say no, wait a month or so & stop by again. Be persistent but not a pain in their rear. Keep saving while waiting for the correct reply. When I was 14, I set my sites on a Model A Ford in a man's barn. I waited 21 years & I finally got it bought, from his widow!

I tracked down the tractor that my grandfather and his father bought new in '47. Trust me, you want to avoid sharing your reason for having picked his, out of all the tractors you see as you drive around, as the one you want to buy. I wouldn't recommend you be dishonest about it but, if it comes up, I wouldn't go any further than allowing that you grew up driving one LIKE IT and have been thinking for a while you would kind of like to have one.

They don't call it sentimental VALUE for nothing, and a savvy seller will charge for that value. In my case, my uncle located the tractor and inquired about it, and the fellow who had it had bought it from Grandpa's estate -- he knew right off what was up, and charged accordingly. I don't regret it, but I paid through the nose to get a stuck wreck of a tractor back.

If your guy figures out or knows who you are and where the tractor came from, you want to be saving every nickel if you hope to get it. That and, if he's still working the tractor, he may just plain not be willing to part with it, couldn't afford to replace it . . .

I'm talking reality, but I don't mean to discourage you. I hope you're able, now or later, to get it. I had a tear or two in my eye when, after three years of working on mine, she fired and ran on the third pull of the crank. It's a great feeling, but it can come with a price tag.

I am actually in the reverse situation. I bought a tractor several years ago, and had the son contact me much later asking about it. Personally, I think he should have it. I didn't want to sell it though. I told him to buy one just like it, same model, condition, etc. and I would trade even up so he could have his Dad's tractor. I thought I was being quite fair to him. He hasn't returned.

Hi Joe,

I have been keeping my eye on used tractors for a while and if youre talking about something older, generally speaking, they start at about $5000 and go up. Horsepower is not a big issue. A 35hp tractor and an 85hp tractor can easily go for the same price. You said you still have some tractors there. If the guy is using "your" tractor perhaps if you offered him a larger, better, or newer one on even trade he may go for it, but you will probably have to explain your motivation for doing it.

Just a thought.

Alf

You guys all have good point, the people that own it now are the people who bought it from out auction.

All the tractors that we have are either my grandpas or mine and the few that are mine I don't want to part with at all.

But I was thinking of asking them what they used it for and maybe buying a tractor to trade to them.

That sounds like it would get expensive, if your tractor needs any work.
SDE

I think you've got the right idea. Remember all people aren't greedy but, you need to get a feel for how they will respond to your request before making it and you can't do that without a face to face.
Good luck.