Case 611B lost in a fire?/advice needed

Good day everyone. I have been pondering this topic for awhile now. I lost my 1959 Case 611B tractor to a building fire 2 weeks ago. I bought this tractor some years ago from an old neighbor that had it in an old family friend's repair shop for some years already. Trying to make a long story short here, sorry. Anyway, I found out that the tractor burned to a crisp in the building on a late Friday night. The old family friend that owns the building in small town USA was not well liked sadly to say, so I am sure the "main street" business owners will be glad once the mess is cleaned up. This tractor is not an old family heirloom of mine, just was a tractor like another neighbor I had 40 years ago that owned one, and I really wanted one too. So, my wife doesn't even know I own this tractor. She would be pizzed!!! I love old iron. My question to all of you is, what do I do? I doubt the building owner has much or any insurance. Do I try to turn it in to my homeowners insurance? Do I forget about it? I guess the tractor is worth $1500-$2000. Just wandering what to do. I am bummed for sure. The old family friend was slowly fixing up the tractor mechanically as money allowed. What would you guys/gals do? Thank you for reading.
Kow Farmer Kurt

Kurt,

This is a tough one. IMHO it all depends on what your wife will say if/when she finds out about the "phantom" tractor. No tractor is worth disturbing the marital situation. Even if it is a Case. I can't believe I just said that. LOL Don

How is the relationship with the building owner? Were you renting space in his building, or was he the one doing the work on the tractor? If this building was his place of business I'd think he would have insurance on it. He most likely is responsible for anything that is stored in the building and should cover any loses.

If you love your wife you probably better just forget about the tractor. No use having her mad at you.

As a currently retired Pastor Once Said come clean beg for mercy, and own up to it ,And at the end of the day you still have the tractor. Just sayin. CM

best go find another , and call this a parts tractor ,.. most all burn jobs i ever seen became very problematic ,. dont matter if it is wiring on a car,litning strike on a 2000 mercury marquis , 4020 jdeere , 35 ferguson deluxe ,. just never had much except for headaches after wards ...

I have known the owner for better than 30 years. he is an old school mechanic that can fix anything from a lawnmower to a semi. He Is a bachelor, no phone, no home, nowhere to live. The guy just has had a very tough life in this small town.
Kow Farmer Kurt

Don,
I understand....LOL I just wanted some ideas. I think I will just walk away. I just didn't know if it was worth my time to haul it to salvage. It really makes me sick to see it charred to death. At least no one was hurt in the fire. It was really really bad..........
Kow Farmer Kurt

My thoughts exactly. She unfortunately isn't the "farm" type gal.
Kow Farmer Kurt

Thank you sir.
Kow Farmer Kurt

I will move on then. Thank you sir.
Kow Farmer Kurt

Yeah, if nothing else you can recover some lost cash by selling it for scrap if too badly burned. Conner turned a burned 300 into a prize possession if it is still restorable.

A tractor that isn't burned so hot as to damage the metal is definitely fixable and can be trouble free if done right. I did over an excavator and it's been a great machine and that's a lot more complex than a tractor. However if you want to just wash it and paint it and splice the wiring back together then you certainly will have a troublesome machine

all the years I ran my repair shop I always told folks I had No coverage for theft or fire the cost of it on others equipment was extremely high to purchase
cnt