Does a Tractor Need a Bill of Sale?

When transferring expensive farm equipment like a tractor and its corresponding attachments and accessories, it is an intelligent decision to commemorate it with authenticating documentation. A bill of sale may also be required if the equipment must be registered or insured in your state of residence. It can also provide legal liability if the vehicle is used illegally after possession changes from one owner to the next.

How to Sell a Tractor

Step 1 – Make any Needed Repairs

Before photographing it for your listing, You will want to make the tractor look as polished as possible. Clean the vehicle as best you can to remove any debris from cracks and openings on the exterior. Check metal coverings for dents and rust spots and upholstery for any splits in the fabric and correct all present issues. Attend to any missing or broken instrument dials, decals, or other parts and replace them as needed. Test all components and engines to make sure all is in working order. If there are any significant problems, consider getting them repaired to attain the highest value for your equipment.

Step 2 – Assemble all Accessories and Affiliated materials

Gather all documents associated with the tractor, the user’s manual, title, maintenance records, and registration if it is required for your vehicle to transfer to the purchaser. You will want to determine how you will proceed with the sale regarding accessories and attachments. Selling the separate parts apart from purchasing the tractor generally will not generate more income than selling them along with the tractor. Also, depending on the make and model of the vehicle, including the attachments can be a powerful tool when selling, as sometimes finding used or new attachments for particular older models can be few and far between.

Step 3 – Create an Advertisement for the Tractor

When constructing your ad, the first consideration is to formulate a price to sell the vehicle. You can consult the average selling prices by year for used tractors and attachments with Fastline.com by selecting the associated category/subcategory and inputting the make and model of your tractor. Then, research area listings for similar used tractors and attachments listed in local classifieds or online to gauge a workable sales price. Craft a detailed description and include all relevant specs on the tractor, such as the year, make, model, clock hours, and attachments. Clarify the chain of ownership in the ad, if it was not purchased as new to you, list as “second owner” or “third owner” depending on your situation. It is essential to discuss any issues with damages or defects as well. Take photos of the tractor and corresponding attachments from multiple points of view and incorporate close-ups of instrument panels and other major vehicle components.

Step 4 – Where to List Your Advertisement

Your best chance to achieve your asking price is to reach as many likely buyers as possible. Place the equipment in a prominent permittable location with a “for sale” sign to draw the attention of any local region buyers. You can post in local papers and online classifieds such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or TractorHouse.com. Another option is to list it on eBay but keep in mind that the best course of action will be to post it as a local pickup and accept cash in hand for the exchange.

Step 5 – Handle the Negotiation and Completion of the Sale

Once you have ascertained an interested buyer, you can arrange to have them come to inspect the tractor to see if they would like to purchase. You can then plan to meet in a public location of your choosing to discuss the finer points of the exchange and negotiate the price if they wish to propose an alternative figure under the listed price. Once an amount has been agreed upon, sign the bill of sale as outlined in the instructions below, exchange the monetary consideration, and sign over the title. You can then provide them with all accompanying materials associated with the tractor, attachments, and the vehicle to finalize the transaction.

Tractor Bill of Sale Form