Auction tractor

Bkpigs · Jul 24, 2019

I am looking at a IH 986 at a sale in the next month. The auction is a very large consignment sale. I heard that there are ways guys will temporary disable the tractors to get a better price. I wouldn't normally think someone would do this to the 986 but I bought a IH 504 a few years back at this same consignment sale. And someone removed the wire from the coil to the cap just enough to not let it start. For luck, one of the ring men noticed it and it then started immediately.

What is something I should look for before the sale to see if someone did something similar to this IH 986 diesel? It is a sharp looking tractor and will probably go for more than my willing.

It is sad when you have to think of these things.

Bkpigs · Jul 24, 2019

By "better" I mean cheaper. Better for the buyer.

Northvale PA · Jul 24, 2019

A couple things I have seen that actually put me off: no oil in an oil bath air filter, a flat rear tire. If
someone had done them on purpose it would cause no harm in the short term.

Goose · Jul 24, 2019

It's not just farm equipment auctions.

Back in the 1980's when I had a used car dealers license, I bought a Chevy S10 4x4 Blazer at the Omaha dealer's auction. As it happened, it snowed a couple of days later, and I happened to drive the unit to see what I'd bought. In the snow, I found out real quick the 4wd didn't work.

I snooped under the hood and found the vacuum hose to the vacuum solenoid that engaged the 4wd had been pulled off and stuck behind a wiring harness. I plugged it back in and the 4wd worked fine.

Obviously, someone intended to buy it, and then take it to Arbitration saying the 4wd didn't work, and try to get the price reduced.

But, those dealer auctions aren't for the faint hearted.

flying belgian · Jul 24, 2019

On my 800 swather someone disconnected the wire to the neutral switch. I bought it anyway. Only took my cousin and I about 5 minutes to find the problem.

Oliver 500 Wa · Jul 24, 2019

Yeah, folks will do things like that. I was looking at an F450 with the 7.3 diesel at an auction about a year ago and a half ago (winter). Real hard starting. Popped the hood and found someone had unplugged the glow plug relay. Hooked it back up and started easy. I ended up getting it for less than I hoped anyway, but wonder how many potential bidders scratched it from their list.

Bruce from Can. · Jul 25, 2019

On a diesel to make the tractor not start or start and
run rough, or start and stall , turning off the fuel, or
tampering with fuel system to allow air into the fuel
lines, would hurt a tractor at auction. I remember
watching a IH swather sell at a farm auction, and it
wouldn?t start. The old farmer was really mad, and
told the auctioneer that it had never failed to start in
the past, and it was selling for next to nothing. So
the auctioneer said, let?s just skip over this, and
come back after the farmer gets a look st it. Turned
out someone had swiped the rotor out of the
distributor. Always a few bad apples floating
around.

Tom in Mo. · Jul 25, 2019

The people that do this are thieves. They are trying to steal something cheap. I have no use for anyone that would do this. I've seen it (disconnected somethings) and I hate it. Same as stealing.

dhermesc · Jul 25, 2019

Call the auctioneer and ask if you can talk to the consignor. That will tell you more than a sale day inspection. Look closely at it before you call and ask specific questions about scars the tractor has and how it got them - maybe make up one just to check their story. Wouldn't be the first time a tractor that claimed to be one owner fresh off the farm was actually hauled in by a tractor jockey whose knowledge of the tractor consists of driving it on and off his truck.

NY 986 · Jul 25, 2019

I'll comment on the tractor itself but let it be known I don't approve of any pre-bid shenanigans. The park mechanism was not the best design and can either not hold or
fully release if going into gear. The TA may not want to shift which could be the cable between the cab lever and the TA lever itself. I've changed them and not a fun job.
The mufflers can get holes in them which will allow water down into the engine. If cold you can apply pressure to the fan belt and turn the engine over. The IH guys say that
some oil usage is normal over a long work day. I have to add a quart over two days under moderate load. The JD's here can go the entire spring season without needing
engine oil. Those are things to watch for but my 986 has cost extremely little in upkeep since I bought it almost 25 years ago. Good power and fuel usage is moderate for
most chores.

sotxbill · Jul 25, 2019

I've seen fuel cut offs disconnected,, bare wire wrapped around the oil sending unit, ground to contact, and many other things.

Best thing is to look over the equipment the day before the auction.... so you can start it cold, see its blowby, check for bubbles, oil condition, etc... checking the day of the auction is a good way to buy bad...

Auction tractor

Bkpigs

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Bkpigs

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Northvale PA

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Goose

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flying belgian

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Oliver 500 Wa

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Bruce from Can.

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Tom in Mo.

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dhermesc

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NY 986

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sotxbill

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