|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jan 28, 2019 10:16:14 GMT -5
My father has an old Frazer rototiller that we had hoped to sell before his death last year. Now I need to move this task to the top of the list as someone in his neighborhood has complained, and Code Enforcement has issued a citation. (One of the neighbors complains to me every time I see her; there's always something she dislikes about the yard.)
I've worked with the CE staff in Dad's area before; they're former law enforcement and are very understanding, cooperative and helpful (unlike those in my community). So I'm working on a good plan for everyone. The tiller was special to Dad, and I'd like to find a good home for it. It's kind of neglected and needs some attention.
It's probably this model: www.zucksrototillers.com/FrazerHistory.html
oliverman, I'm interested in your perspective as a commercial farmer. And James, I know you have a large farmed area as well. Would this be something someone with a smaller farm might want? Or would the newer tillers be preferable?
There are large farms in mid Michigan, but I think this tiller would be too small for them.
I've found some old tractor/tiller forums, and will post there if I can find some that are more active than the ones that haven't had any posts for years. I'm still searching.
There are two other possibilities: there's are 2 old farms about 10-15 miles from my father's house. One is only a demonstration farm, hosting different displays of old tractors and farm implements and special activities periodically during the growing seasons. Another is both, with enough acreage to need a tiller but not a large tractor.
Another possibility is the Henry Ford Museum, with an extensive collection of old everything: old trains, old cars, carriages, washing machines, and more.
Dad's tiller hasn't been used probably since the early 1980s, so there would be some repair work required to get it running. I don't know if the gas was ever drained, so that might be an issue as well.
Last resort is to just junk it. I've contacted Purple Heart about some of the other unwanted items in the yard, but I hadn't raised the issue of tillers.
I do have a few contractors, including one who demolished an old shed a few years ago. So that's the fall-back option. Still, that old tractor has some good memories; it helped us create large and productive gardens for many years, and I'd like to find a good home for it.
Any suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by James on Jan 28, 2019 10:47:21 GMT -5
That is an historical farm implement. You need to place it out front near the flower garden as yard art. Enjoy!
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Jan 28, 2019 12:18:36 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️ , this link is to an old conversation, but maybe there are folks out there who might like/restore it. gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/65754-frazer-rototiller/page-2Hubby says to advertise it on an antique tractor forum. I would use craigslist. be prepared to sell for less than what you think it is worth...cash only...as is...no deliveries. If city code tickets you, how much is the fine?
|
|
|
Post by martywny on Jan 28, 2019 12:44:54 GMT -5
Would this be something someone with a smaller farm might want? There is a market for such items and you usually have to find a local antique club. The two in my area are nysteamengineassociation.com/ and alexandersteamshow.com/ Although they are both entitled 'steam' there are more old tillers and gas engines than can fit in any one place at the same time. I also talk in www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rototillers/ about tractors and other machinery such as tillers. People like these things and there is always a market for them. Two similar tiller/tractors recently sold here in Craigslist Farm + Garden section so it's worth getting started there. Post a picture and we'll all be glad to offer our opinions on what we think it's worth before you list. If you say it hasn't been started since the last time it ran, that should cover the "Does it run?" question.
|
|
|
Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jan 28, 2019 18:24:42 GMT -5
James , unfortunately, the "old bat" women in the neighborhood prowl up and down the street and find anything that's offensive, and reportable. (One of them is so lazy she doesn't even mow her own lawn or rake her leaves - a neighbor does it for her.)
binnylou , the link to that forum is a great source. I'm going to post there tomorrow, or after I can get a photo of the tiller. Right now it's probably covered in snow! I wlll search for more antique tractor forums; I found some already but they're really not very active.
martywny , good suggestions and resources. I took a quick look at both steam fan sites but didn't see any membership forums. However, that gives me an idea; there might be similar groups in Michigan. And even Henry Ford Museum may have some helpful information on locating a similar group.
I'm a bit leary about Craigslist - I tried to buy a car once through it and found some very unsavory people hung out there. One wanted to come over to my house to bring a photo of his car.
If I did deal with Craigslist, I would ask one of the male neighbors to be available, just in case. OTOH, I could tell the old bats and they'd prowl and scowl around as they need to know what's happening so they can gossip about it (nothing else to do). Just the hostility on their faces would put a would-be miscreant in his place!
I spoke with the Code Enforcement Officer this evening. We agreed that I'll come up with a plan and call him on Feb. 12. Assuming that we're not snowed or frozen in, at least I can get estimates for complete demolition by then if I have to. Basically, he said that everything that's not growing has to be out of the yard. I'm assuming he doesn't include the workshop shed, as I'm certainly not going to remove that.
Typically the old bats complain during the spring or summer. I'm sure this was deliberate; they could easily have complained in Summer or Fall, but now is the most difficult time to address yard issues.
|
|
|
Post by martywny on Jan 28, 2019 18:33:04 GMT -5
I'm a bit leary about Craigslist - I wouldn't expect too many antique tiller people to be on the unsavory list.
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Jan 28, 2019 18:33:30 GMT -5
If I did deal with Craigslist, I would ask one of the male neighbors to be available, yes.
|
|
|
Post by octave1 on Jan 28, 2019 20:39:13 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️, take a pic of the tiller and post it on the Facebook marketplace with a brief description. Cash only, you pick up. It will be gone in no time.
|
|
|
Post by oliverman on Jan 28, 2019 23:50:34 GMT -5
If it hasn't been run since before I was born, and it currently has snow on it, the hard truth is that nobody will want it for it's ability to do work.
You might find an antique collector who would pay a few bucks for it if you advertised on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. Probably simplest to just give it to a scrapper.
|
|
|
Post by Mumsey on Jan 29, 2019 4:44:56 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️ , Lots of good advice here. Hope you find a home for it! My Dad would go crazy over it.
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Jan 29, 2019 10:40:32 GMT -5
My Dad would go crazy over it. He has a birthday coming up?
|
|
|
Post by meandtk on Jan 29, 2019 12:17:05 GMT -5
If only you were close to south Mississippi! On the other hand, considering that I'd probably spend too much money on something that would become very sentimental quickly, I guess it's better you are up north.
|
|
|
Post by binnylou on Jan 29, 2019 12:40:30 GMT -5
meandtk,I bet it could be shipped. It might cost an arm and a leg to get it there, but oh, the fun you would have!
|
|
|
Post by meandtk on Jan 29, 2019 14:03:00 GMT -5
binnylou, I bought a BCS off Ebay and had it shipped from KS. It cost close to $500. It was worth it. I still have the BCS, and that is why I dare not drop any money on this, as much as I would love to.
|
|
|
Post by martywny on Jan 29, 2019 14:04:18 GMT -5
SpringRain🕊️ , I think this is the predecessor to the Troy Bilt line of tillers and should be preserved by all means. I checked out the place that sells parts at www.frazerrototillerparts.com/ so there is potential to keep it running.
|
|