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Just Lettin' Them Rot

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in-too-deep

12-09-2005 12:21:08

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There's an old, retired farm a mile or two down the road from me. On this farm, there are 11 antique John Deeres. Yes, eleven. They range in condition from shedded with good tires to sunk in the ground half-way to the steering wheel. I've called the owner a few times to ask about a '51 G out by the road with a tree growing through it. No deal. He told me he's waiting 'till retirement. The man has 11 tractors. They're just being wasted. I know it's his property, but it seems like such an injustice. Someone like me would very much appreciate one of those tractors, and it wouldn't even live too far from home. Does this bother anyone else? Oh and among the Deeres are a vast assortment of combines (self-propelled and otherwise), antique cars and trucks, various implements...just a plethora of equipment rotting away. I find it quite sad.

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M Nut

12-12-2005 10:37:06

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

All you can do is ask. Then accept the answer given. This time it was no. My elderly neighbor had 6 numbered series two cylinder Deeres, all running and kept in the shed. One day a fellow stopped and asked if he would sell one, he said he'd sell them all, shoot a price. The guy offered $7,500 for all six. The elderly man took it and ran. He was thrilled. The buyer was thrilled as well. They were worth more like $15,000. You just never know. I found out about two weeks after it was all said and sone and the tractors were long gone.

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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

12-10-2005 18:34:50

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Hey, destruction is the ultimate form of possession.

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Steven@AZ

12-10-2005 15:05:02

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

I used to get angry about that kind of stuff, but not anymore. You see, I graduated college, got married and had to move away for a job... now I have projects sitting in my Dad's yard that I will get to "some day." I don't have the resources available right now, but be darned if I would let my Dad sell the 51 Ford F-6 for the $250 it's worth, because it has memories for me and I will fix it up some day. I just do not know when that day will be.

Next in my life will probably come a family for my wife and I, the truck will be moved lower on the list to make way for cribs, diapers, car seats, a college fund, etc. The truck will have to wait, which might be sad to some - but if I sell that truck it is like selling my hope. Sometimes when I cash my paycheck that was already spent on life's necessities two weeks ago I get a little depressed, but I think about how all the work I'm doing right now will lead me to that "some day" when I can finally restore that truck.

Even if that "some day" never comes and the truck rots to the ground, the $250 could never buy me hope.

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Leland

12-10-2005 10:38:00

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Me I would find a way to rescue them and stash them away he would have a hard time proving there his if you removed the serial tag and I would write you a bill of sale for 1 junk tractor .

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Coldiron

12-10-2005 06:45:51

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

For years, that guy probably has been explaining to his wife that he will get to working on those tractors some day when he gets the time. He will lose face if he gets rid of any of them and may lose his wife too. If you really want to save the tractors, offer to help him restore them and that might get him started. LOL

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Paul in Mich

12-10-2005 05:57:26

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

It doesn"t bother me a bit. The man owns them, and if free to do whatever he wishes with what he owns. If letting them rot is what floats his boat, then so be it. It is not up to you or me to decide what is best for someone elses belongings. That is what is so wonderful and unique about private ownership. There was nothing wrong with you asking if he might sell something of his, but once you got a "no" answer, that is the end of it.

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RickL

12-10-2005 05:47:17

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Quit worrying about it,that is very common,they were his or they would not have gotten there or they may have already been on the farm we he first came their. I have a fellow less than 3 miles south of me that probably has close to 30 old Olivers seting around the property,plus combines,tiling machine and not sure what else is in the tree patch around the house.

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Mark - IN.

12-09-2005 21:17:07

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Don't take me wrong, but good for him. They're his. Maybe doesn't use them, but maybe are full of memories as he passes them. Maybe when they cease to exist, so will he, and that's not good. Don't hurry him along. I hope they bring an occasional smile to his face. I'm sure that he deserves it.

Mark

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Hermit

12-09-2005 19:51:04

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Some folks around here have wooded land that they do nothing with. They should cut the trees down to make baseball bats and 2X4's for New Orleans. What a waste. Quite sad.
Some folks buy pick-up trucks then don't use them to haul things around. They don't want to get them dirty. What a waste. Quite sad.
Some folks north of here don't want a nickel mine to go in even though it will hire lots of people and help the local economy. Those people just want to keep their land the way it is without the intrusion of progress. What a waste. Quite sad.
I've heard there are people that buy old, beat-up tractors and fix them up pretty but don't use them in the field to put a plow or a disk. They just like to look at them nice and clean and ride them around on streets. What a waste. Quite sad.
If what this tractor owner is doing is legal and not costing me any money, it doesn't bother me one bit. Why should it.

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Ol Chief

12-09-2005 18:24:06

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

I went to an auction last saturday It was a total sale of everything acumulated for over 100 years.No way to list a lot of very interisting stuff.However there was an1905 Durant carsitting in the woods.It was in pretty fair shape and looked to be restorable however it had been there for so long that the bottom half of the wheel rims had disappeared.I did not stay to see it sold because I got into a tangle of cactus and had my wife extract about 30 thorns out of my hide after I hurried home.It seems that the entire car was so heavily built that it was still in good condition.There was also a 70 H P Minne Mo with the largest 70 HP diesel engine that I have ever seen.Looked like it could be retuned to 400 HP.

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Yugrotcart

12-09-2005 16:46:04

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Bothers the heck outta me too..... .....
A friend has more good junk, but nothings for sale. He has a nice 3 furrow IH trip plow. We cut a tree down that was growing through it so I could borrow it. Offered him a fair to slightly high price for it, no deal. He lets me borrow anything he has, just don't ask to buy it..... .

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730 virgil

12-09-2005 15:34:45

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

about 1 1/2 miles south of me is an older guy that has bunch of old cars , pickups and tractors i have heard that more than one person has been ran off his place he has no interest in selling anything it's to bad as he has is some neat old stuff there , but it's his stuff and he can do as he wants with it

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sammy the RED

12-09-2005 14:41:27

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Same deal with my neighbor.
He don't use his wife the way he should so I told him I will take care of her every Friday night. ;o]

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Mark - IN.

12-09-2005 22:06:32

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to sammy the RED, 12-09-2005 14:41:27

That just might could work. Chuckle.

Mark

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buickanddeere

12-09-2005 14:11:15

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

If the owner left 11 heaps of cash laying out in the weather he would be hauled off to the funny farm by the family.

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john d

12-09-2005 13:17:11

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

I know what you mean. I've tried 4 times to rescue a Farmall H that's about 5 miles from me, and has been sitting in the weeds for nearly 10 years. Owner doesn't really want it, but he just doesn't want to sell it...yet. It's in sad shape, and getting worse by the season. Oh well, everytime one of them finally disappears into the scrap yard, it makes the ones that are left potentially more valuable.

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Jonfarmer

12-09-2005 12:44:10

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

They might not be rotting as bad as you think. If the exhaust and air breather, radiator, and fuel tank openings are covered, they are probably holding just fine. Sure the tires and rims (but only if rims are in contact with either cloride or dirt) are rotting, and tires are something that needs replacing on every old tractor project I've ever had, and new replacement rims are easy to come by, although they do drive up the price of restoration, but not too bad. Don't worry about it, it's his loss, and like I say, if water can't get in anywhere, they'll hold just fine and still be restorable for many years. Cars and trucks on the other hand will not keep, they will sink in the ground and the entire bottom of the vehicle will rot. Good luck

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Billy NY

12-09-2005 12:40:44

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

This has been going on for years in the U.S., and it's always a shame to see anything left out in the elements, but unfortunately it's the owners perrogative to do so. Many times I've inquired about things I've seen and sometimes you are not even welcome to inquire, but being considerate, you just do the best you can if you see something that is in a situation like this that might be available, you never know until you ask the owner.

Maybe you could offer some help to get them under cover, assist in working on one or something of the sort. Without coming across as being dishonest, maybe the guy would be receptive to some help putting up a new shed or taking one aside to work on it, make a new friend, and something postive could come of it, I do agree it does bother one to see any classic tractor, car, truck, implement or antique rust away.

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DCM

12-09-2005 12:34:49

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Your story has been repeated 100"s of times. I known some personally, its discouraging when these situations occur. Chances are great that those tractors in the end will be hauled off by strangers.I have found some that way and lost some too. My brother and I have Dad"s old "47 1 1/2 ton Ford currently in a resto process. Will post some pics later in Classic Trucks. Dan in AB

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buckva

12-09-2005 12:30:56

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to in-too-deep, 12-09-2005 12:21:08

Nothing to be sad about. They are his and he can do as he pleases. This is a big portion of the American way of life. Now if everyone else could dictate how he is to care for them, then that is truly sad.

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Dave 2N

12-09-2005 12:53:12

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to buckva, 12-09-2005 12:30:56

You're kind of missing the point; no one is telling him how to take care of his tractors; they are just commenting on the poor and unfortunate way he is taking care of them. Don't be so sensitive.

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RodinNS

12-09-2005 13:55:38

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to Dave 2N, 12-09-2005 12:53:12

And lamenting the fact that they can't have the old tractors. I've lost count of the number of people that have called or landed in the yard, inquiring about the "Jubilee". The "Jubilee" being the old Ford 860 that's been sitting there for 7 or 8 years now in a rather sad state. Probably better than 50 % of these people are nothing more than oppertunists who would haul the tractor off for a pittance, unstick the one stuck piston it has, paint it and then pawn it off at a good profit to some poor bugger who will be on this board in a weeks time trying to sort out the problems with it, and finding he's been had. So in my mind, I don't need the 200 bucks I'd get, and when I do get to fixing it, I'll get a hell of a lot more satisfaction from it than anyone else. I've got very little respect for somebody that will come and "take it off my hands for me", and turn around and sell it in a week's time. If it meant something to them, it might be different.
That's the other side of the story to the tractor that's "rotting in the grass", or the 11, as it may be. If and when he decides it's time to let them go, he'll let it be known. In the mean time, expect unreasonable prices and general disinterest in a sale.....

Rod

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edchainsaw

12-09-2005 17:32:25

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Re: Just Lettin' Them Rot in reply to RodinNS, 12-09-2005 13:55:38

I know its hard to take but are you sure your just not jelous of the guy with the piles...

he has them and you cant have them.. I KNOW he's abusing them.. but they are his.

now whats bad is when you ask about one forsale.. its not ... 2 mnths later another guy drops in and offers $200 less than you do and then hauls it home..

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