What will happen to them when we are done

[JCM 9,177]

Have any of you thought about what you would do with your collection of WH tractors be it one or many when the day comes that it is time to thin things out ? I know for myself I am not looking forward to it. Finally, which model would be the last to go.

[Beap52 815]

I just hope who ends up with my stuff enjoys it as much as I have.  520H. 71 El Camino bought new, 47 Chevrolet sedan delivery bought in 1972, Several of my tools (that I still use) bought while in high school.  The latest project is a train set in the basement.  My son-in-law is a great guy and wonderful dad but has no

mechanical interest.  Our son died in car wreck 17 years ago.  Someone will end up with the stuff I have accumulated--but not for several more years--Lord willing.

[Handy Don 12,235]

Been thinking about this ever since I had to handle the dismantling of my Dad's shop and his 50 years of accumulated tools, machines, parts, and materials.

Ultimately, he agreed with my suggestion that he take a small kit of tools he would want at his assisted living apartment and then let the children and grandchildren draw lots and then pick one item at a time from what was left. Children (there are six of us) went a couple rounds and then the grands got a round. Each person chose the item that meant the most to them from what hadn't yet been chosen. The large, expensive power tools were NOT the first to go. It was hand tools that my Dad had taught us to use when we were young. He was very moved by this, I can tell you, and it compensated a lot for the loss of his shop.

The whole process took days since I had to create an inventory of each possible pick and not everyone could be available at the same time to make their choices. Eventually, some of us could not use anything else and dropped out. When everything that was wanted had been chosen, the remainder was donated to a charity's tag sale.

For me, my shop and tools and the tractors are a hobby and the costs are sunk. I won't try to recover any money when it's time for mine to go, so I'll have designated recipients for some specific items but the rest I'll leave for others to choose.

I've started an inventory to help whoever does this for me.

[Daddy Don 905]

This is a great way to let each person chose what they want. Great Ideal

This is the way I think now how I will let my things go when it is time for me to go. 

Thanks for the information.

[mrc 812]

what are you trying to say?  you mean you really cannot take it all with you LOL! 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

Well, I never had any kids.....and no, I'm not adopting any of you...

 

[JoeM 7,874]

Just watched a little of this unfold a coupler years back. A family member went quicker than anticipated and left countless numbers of tools, a classic car and some guns behind. Not much in place about what goes where. Needless to say the family vultures were out in full force. I give his wife credit she just wanted to wait and see before commiting. 

She has sold a few items but overall not much. I know she commented to me that there was still a garage full and was uncertain. 

I told her the cleanest thing I have seen is an auction. Invite the vultures and sell it. The auction people come in and categorize label and list. (Garage is still full and waiting)

 

Planning ahead, (as Don has done), is the best, and will eliminated the headaches. 

 

Myself, my son has full gratis to all of my stuff. If i go it is all his to do as he pleases. (he has two of the WH machines now and it is all good) 

My wife, son and daughter all know about my intentions. 

 

I have enjoyed working in the shop and the hobby of WH's. Ain't going to get to bent on where they go......someone just might enjoy them as much a I have??

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

15 hours ago, JCM said:

which model would be the last to go.

For me, that is a no-brainer. Dad's 1962 702 that has been in the family since 1965 - a tried and true "working girl" - used all four seasons for over 30 years by Dad...

Edited April 28, 2022 by ri702bill

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

I have no one yet? to leave to. So will probably have an estate sale with all the tractor-tools over the last 50 years myself have been collecting. It has been a good time doing this hobby and with all whom I met along the way. Senior and rookies.

[953 nut 55,297]

1 hour ago, JoeM said:

Ain't going to get to bent on where they go......someone just might enjoy them as much a I have??

Well said Joe.

I have told my wife that when I check out she should post the news of my demise here on Red Square and let everything go to whoever wants it, free for the taking. The value on most of it is the pleasure I've gotten from it and the love it will receive from another Horse-A-Holic.  There is plenty to go around and if it were auctioned at a local auction it wouldn't bring a tremendous amount of money and no one would know what the odd pile of parts in the corner or on the shelf is but folks here would.

 

[ri702bill 8,327]

3 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

and no one would know what the odd pile of parts in the corner or on the shelf is but folks here would.

It just bothers me that someone could send that pile of rusty gold off to the scrap yard for pennies on the pound...

[johnnymag3 2,520]

If I begin to think about that,,,,I seem to go the other direction and buy another Horse....keeps me from thinking about that.    ( The what will happen when I am gone part. )       I hope my 2 sons appreciate them like I do. ..my oldest has his 418A.

   After he outgrew the B80, he wanted to use my 418A, then he wanted one so I hunted for the elusive 1 year Tractor....after 8 months I travelled far to get it for him. He loves it, and uses it weekly, but Dad still gives it all the love it needs. He knows how to do the things I do, but thinks I do them better. ( I think its a ploy to make me do the work.....  ...Anyways, He will forever keep his and my 418A tractors Im sure. As for the rest of the herd?????  Maybe he will have the 418's for waxing...and another one for mowing...and another ...well, you get the drift !! 

[squonk 41,150]

My son has no need for a tractor as his lawn can be cut with a pair of scissors. My C-160 would be the last to go as long as I'm around. The tractors would have to be sold off as I would want  my wife to get something out of putting up with my hobbies over the years. All of my extra parts will go to the closest surviving WH guy that wants all of it. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,598]

You have given me inspiration to contemplate the inevitable… while we’ve planned for the “estate” in the normal fashion, the ‘s and the SL&WHN RR in particular are unique, but of limited “value” in the eyes of auction houses and the general public.
 

I kinda like @953 nut’s idea. Post the obit here and pass them on to folks who will appreciate, keep them going and use them… 

[rjg854 11,378]

I told the wife once I'm gone, "have an auction and sell everything".  There's just no way she can handle this place on her own.  And use whatever is there to make herself comfortable some place she can enjoy whatever time she has left.

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,998]

Ya know I'm only 31 and I think about that. At this point we don't plan on having kids and I told her if I die unexpectedly just get on my RedSquare profile and ask for help. I know you are good honest people and would help her get rid of all my "junk" as my mother in law calls it lol

[stevasaurus 22,764]

My Doctor keeps telling me, "I don't know what you are doing, but I wouldn't change a thing."  I know he has me mixed up with somebody else.  I've got 3 kids...one of each, and I don't think any of them could take all that is here.  Looks like none of them is going to have any kids...soooooo...I'm going to ship it all to that garbage dump that BC Gold camps out at, and he can start a new thread about "What These People Throw Away."  

  One other thing to know...when any member passes, let Admins or Mods know.  Karl turns your user name Green to acknowledge   your contribution.  

[Handy Don 12,235]

24 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

3 kids...one of each

Not sure I want to ask for an explanation! 

[ri702bill 8,327]

7 hours ago, Mike'sHorseBarn said:

and would help her get rid of all my "junk" as my mother in law calls it lol

However - if it were spelled "junque", she may realize it is worth a fortune to the right folks ....

[ri702bill 8,327]

...some folks see rusty metal, those who know better see it as potential to run again. There is NOTHING in the world that can compare to the sound of a 7 or 8 HP Kohler at idle...

[ri702bill 8,327]

So while I'm typing, the song "Who'se gonna fill their shoes" by "The Possum", the late, great George Jones starts to rattle around in my head...with a new meaning.

[lynnmor 7,307]

"What will happen to them when we are done"Look at what is happening at your local antique stores to see what appreciation the younger crowds have for old things.  While I don't want to paint the situation with too broad a brush, but I think we need to look around and see how many give a rats petoot.  For example, we have a very large collection of peanut putter glasses and go to auctions where they are advertised. Last Saturday they sold 500 one at a time, it took almost 6 hours, there were about 30 bidders there and all were geezers.  What do you think will happen to that market in the not so distant future?

[Bill D 1,926]

7 hours ago, ri702bill said:

...some folks see rusty metal, those who know better see it as potential to run again. There is NOTHING in the world that can compare to the sound of a 7 or 8 HP Kohler at idle...

Except maybe a Kohler 16 at idle.  I happen to like the sound of a Briggs boxer twin at idle, but I'm weird.😁

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

7 hours ago, ri702bill said:

There is NOTHING in the world that can compare to the sound of a 7 or 8 HP Kohler at idle...

 

Well... maybe a SBC at redline !  

 

What I wanna know is:

 

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,464]

22 hours ago, squonk said:

My son has no need for a tractor as his lawn can be cut with a pair of scissors. My C-160 would be the last to go as long as I'm around. The tractors would have to be sold off as I would want  my wife to get something out of putting up with my hobbies over the years. All of my extra parts will go to the closest surviving WH guy that wants all of it. 

Good post Mike.