My dad died unexpectedly and he had a 1930 Minneapolis Moline that was his treasure of all his old tractors. None of us can take it. We are having a farm auction this spring. Would it be best to sell it there or try to find a buyer through an antique tractor site. He would have wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate it. Thanks for your advice.
- Thread starter spoland
- Start date
Ronnie Budd
Member
I would do some research on the value, taking into consideration the actual condition of the tractor, and then post it for sale on a few of the antique tractor sites. There are some very active Facebook sites dedicated to antique tractors in general, and Minneapolis Moline in particular. You have time between now and Spring. What is it and where is it located? Pictures?
Ronnie Budd
Member
Good news is that a 1949 UTU is a fairly popular tractor. On the other hand, they always were, and aren't rare. They are a nice tractor. Looking forward to some pictures.
Just my opinion, but if it is certain no immediate family can/wants to take it, I would make sure none 1) of the more distant relatives might want it or 2) none of my Dads friends might want to buy it or 3) there wouldn't be a place to store it for a few years to make sure no family members came forward wanting it.
I would have loved to have had a chance at my Grandpa's Chevy pickup, but none of the relatives at the time even considered that.
I also have several tractors I really treasure due to the friends/family history behind them.
It is not that uncommon to see folks on the ytmag forums here searching for a family tractor that was sold years before.
I mostly say all this, because you obviously place sentimental value on it. From a dollar perspective, an auction is as good a way to go as any. But if you want to maximize the sentimental value, that is what I would consider.
If none of those things pan out, I hope you find a collector wanting to give it a good home. I'd make you an offer, if I wasn't 5 states away! ha...
Howard
carvel minne farmer
Well-known Member
go for it spoland that tractor means more to you than any one else, and you never know you might find the right place for that tractor, a local museum(with your dads name and the history of the tractor) or as howard said a good friend of your dads or your family who will appreciate and look after it. john
carvel minne farmer
Well-known Member
WOW spoland, your dad did a beautifull job restoring that tractor, it looks like it left the factory yesterday. it's not hard to see why it was his pride and joy, if you guys can't keep it I'm sure your going to get a lot of offers from the MM folks on here, who will give it a good home. dam I wish I was closer.
Hi Spoland, that is one nice looking MM U as posted if you anyway swing it buy it and keep it for yourself, just a stroy along that line maybe 30/35 years ago my neighbor just to the south of me passed and the family had and auction I but his MM Jetstar it was no beauty queen but was a good runner everything worked well about 10 or so years later his youngest daughter called me and asked if I would sell her her Dad's MM he had bought it new was the tractor she learned to drive and she had married and they were farming in southern MN I thought about it didn't really want to sll it so I told yes but I would keep the loader and gave her a prive she yes and came up and got the tractor. She was so happy that I sold it to her and she was going to restore it, and I guess it must has made me some good to cause I still remember how happy she was and the tractor that otherwise I'd have forgotten by now.
Good luck
GB in MN
Good luck
GB in MN
Ronnie Budd
Member
The serial number makes it a 1949 UTU. However, you are correct in that sometime in it's history it got a UTN front end put on it. So, it's a UTU with a UTN front pedestal installed, which isn't unheard of. I've even seen UTUs with UTE wide fronts on them. Sometimes folks change them to suit their needs.
Sodak farmer
Member
If at all possible try to hang on to the u. At least for a few years to make sure no one in the family wants it. My story is a common one. Sold a large lineup of moline tractors and equipment in my Dad's estate sale. A lot of the equip for scrap. Was able to bring his u back home but as of yet none of the other tractors. Kick myself daily. Your U will probably not lose any value but maybe gain some if you later decide to part with it.
It is hard for a woman to have a tractor. I got an R for my birthday several years ago. My husband doesn't really like old stuff, but he agreed to help me keep it running. There is no way I could do it by myself. I think he likes it now. Maybe your husband will get to like your dad's tractor. I use mine for parades and an occasional private tractor drive. It isn't hard to keep it running, if you start out with it in pretty good condition. Hope you can keep it.
carvel minne farmer
Well-known Member
i'm sorry to hear this spoland, the prices sound low to me after looking at the pics you posted, but there are a lot of other mm guys on here with a lot more experience than I have and should be able to give you a much better idea what the tractors should bring in your area. you might want to post piics of the john deere's on the jd forum, those jd guys will give you a pretty good idea what they are worth. I hope all go's well spoland, keep us updated and maybe do a new post on here before the auction to let the mm, jd, and farmall members know, some may want to bid on them.
carvel minne farmer
Well-known Member
spoland when your going to do the posts close to auction time do one on each forum here, the mm, jd, and farmall with pics, serial #'s and what history you know. other members here will chip in with other sites as well like redpower, jd sites, and mm.com.
J.Wondergem
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rockford, Mi.
The closest to that number that I see, would be a UTU 1949, but not a exact match.
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