Auctions are supposed to be organized affairs, with every lot listed and every item sold. But once in a while a farmer sells off everything he owns and somehow forgets a whole tractor sitting in the barn. That is exactly the situation described by @fanswestenchamplin, a family who ended up with a big tractor for just $700 and a lot of cleaning ahead.
@fanswestenchamplin
The Tractor Nobody Remembered
This post is part three of a series, and the creator opens by saying they are back at their place. They did not have a chance to tell the story of the tractor earlier, the creator explains, because they were just trying to get it started and get it home. So here is the backstory.
The man who owned the tractor had gotten out of farming. He held an auction and sold off all of his farm equipment, and in the process, the creator says, he actually forgot he owned this tractor. It stayed in the barn while everything else rolled away to new owners.
The creator’s cousin found it. He was talking with the former farmer, who mentioned that he had one more tractor he needed to get rid of. But he did not even feel like pulling it out of the barn. If the cousin wanted to buy it, he could.
Seven Hundred Dollars
The family paid $700 for the tractor. The creator thinks it is about 190 horsepower, a good sized tractor that runs and drives. That is an unusual price for a machine of that size, and the creator is quick to say it is still a fantastic deal.
There are reasons the price was low. The creator says there is a lot of rats nest inside, and the tractor had been sitting for a while. It also needs an injector, and that is the reason, the creator says, that the owner parked it in the barn to begin with. A faulty fuel injector can cause rough running, smoke, hard starting and loss of power, and on a farm with other equipment it can be easier to park one machine than chase the fix.
As for what it is, the creator believes it is a 6.6 liter Ford diesel with a turbocharger, though the creator hedges by saying I think. The interior leaves a little to be desired, but all the controls worked. The plan is to clean it up with a blow dryer, a blower and a power washer. They had not yet checked how much of the electrical system works. The creator ends the post by saying that if you want a follow up, leave a note.
Why Tractors Get Parked
A tractor that sits in a barn is not rare, and the story here is a good example of why. Farm equipment is expensive to repair, and a single failed part can take a machine out of service. When a farm has several tractors, the one with a known issue often gets pushed to the back. Over time it becomes the machine that is always going to be fixed next season, and then it is forgotten.
Injectors are a common cause. Diesel injectors spray fuel into the cylinders at high pressure, and when one clogs, leaks or sticks, the engine can run poorly. Replacing one is often a manageable job for a mechanically minded owner, though some engines need special tools and careful cleaning to do it right.
What To Do With A Long Parked Tractor
If you ever land a deal like this, a methodical approach pays off. Here is a practical checklist.
Start with the pests. Rodents love the shelter of a barn, and nests can hide in air filter housings, under hoods, in wiring harnesses and inside seat cushions. Chewed wires can create shorts and even fires, so clear out every nest and inspect the wiring before you try to start the engine. Wear a mask and gloves while cleaning, because old nests can carry dust that is not good to breathe.
Check all fluids. Engine oil, hydraulic fluid, transmission oil and coolant should all be inspected. Water in the oil looks like a milky coffee color and means trouble. If the oil is old, change it along with the filters.
Handle the fuel. Diesel stored for years can grow algae and gather water. Drain the tank if you can, replace the fuel filters, and bleed the air out of the system. Fresh fuel makes a big difference with a tractor that has been parked.
Look at the batteries and the electrical system. A dead battery is the obvious problem, but corroded terminals and chewed wires are just as common. Test everything, including lights and gauges, before you rely on them.
Inspect the tires, belts and hoses. Rubber ages even when it is not used. Dry rot, cracks and flat spots are common after long storage. The same goes for hydraulic hoses, which can leak under pressure.
Finally, turn the engine by hand before you start it, if you can. This confirms that nothing is seized and lets you hear if there is anything unusual. Then start it gently, keep an eye on the gauges, and shut it down if you see odd readings.
The Fun Of The Cleanup
The creator mentions cleaning the tractor with a blow dryer, a blower and a power washer. That is a sensible order for a machine that has been sitting. Blowing out the loose dust and debris first keeps the power washer from turning everything into mud. Keep the water spray away from electrical connectors, the air intake and the fuel injection pump, and let the machine dry fully before you try to start it.
A good cleanup can also reveal hidden problems. Oil leaks, cracked hoses and rust spots become easier to see once the layers of dirt are gone. Take pictures as you go and keep notes so you know what to fix first.
Lessons From A Forgotten Tractor
Beyond the bargain, the story has a few lessons. First, deals happen when you talk with people. The cousin simply visited with the former farmer, and the conversation led to a purchase. Second, the cheapest machine is not always the cheapest to own. The tractor may need an injector, a thorough cleanup and some electrical checks, so budget time and money for those jobs. Third, a project like this is more fun when family pitches in.
Do we know whether the tractor will become a reliable worker? Not yet. The post is part of a series, so there is more to the story. What we do know is that a farmer forgot his own tractor, a cousin got to talking with him, and a family took home a big machine for $700. In the world of farm equipment, that is the kind of story people tell for years.