For many people with huge properties, having a tractor is pretty much a necessity. These machines reduce the amount of time and human labor needed to conduct various activities such as carrying construction materials and pulling agricultural machinery.
Thus, a tractor is definitely an investment, especially with its expensive cost. Since they are pricey, you've probably entertained this particular question before: Do tractors have titles? After all, wouldn't you want legal proof that you have authority over the use of such a costly machine?
Why Owners Want a Tractor Title?
At its core, a title allows anyone to know who has the rights to a good or product. With a title, you can simply present a piece of paper to show that you are the one who bought the tractor.
Another purpose of a title is for you to pick a second-hand tractor wisely. If a tractor in the shop does not have any titles, it might have been stolen. Nobody wants to land in trouble just because of an uninformed purchase.
Likewise, the provision of tractor titles makes sure that second-hand tractor dealers won't get their machines from questionable people.
If there are any legal problems arising from the use of your tractor, you can be assured that a certificate of ownership would give you the legal advantage.
Do Tractors Have Titles?
So, does a tractor have a title? Well, the answer to that is not that simple. While a tractor used for construction work can have a title, the average tractor does not come with any title.
Even though it's easy to request a receipt confirming that you are the buyer, it is unlikely that a common tractor will include a certificate of ownership.
In fact, even a tractor worth upwards of $250,000 won't automatically be qualified for a certificate of ownership. The only certainty is a receipt – similar to when you buy gardening equipment that is significantly cheaper than a tractor.
The irony here is that a car can be worth just $1,000 in second hand stores, and you'll still have to accomplish a lot of paperwork to assure that you have a title to it.
Are you on the market for a reliable garden tractor? Our product review and buying guide on the best garden tractors have everything you need to know.
Viable Alternatives to a Tractor Title
Since not all tractors can have titles, the best option you have is to secure the receipt. Keep it in a place where it won't be mistaken for an unimportant piece of paper.
Moreover, it should not be exposed to water since this can smudge the details of the transaction. You should also take note of the tractor's serial number if you are acquiring a new tractor.
Not only will this give you some legitimacy of ownership but it will also help authorities track your tractor down in case someone decides to steal it from you.
Aside from the serial number, you can jot down other details and have them registered to authorities.
Here's a video detailing the location of tractor details:
Other options you can try include visiting a notary public and asking for them to have the necessary paperwork accomplished. You can even put the receipt on a postcard and send it to yourself so you can just show the federal date stamp to prove your ownership of the tractor in court even without a title.
Differences by State Laws
Of course, the possibility of a title can differ depending on location. For example, truck tractors with a minimum weight of 18,000 pounds come with a certificate of ownership in New Hampshire. This is mandatory regardless whether the truck tractor is brand new or it's been used for 10 years.
Then again, this rule only specifies very heavy truck tractors. On the other hand, the state of Vermont does not require any titles to be served to owners of tractors that have a loaded weight not equal to or exceeding 6,100 pounds.
Tractor Titles Frequently Asked Questions
Are titles issued for tractors?
Farm tractors are typically not titled or registered because they have a much lower rate of theft and fraud compared to motor vehicles. Tractors also don’t generally use public roads, bridges and tunnels so there is normally no need for governments or states to tax tractor owners for the maintenance of this infrastructure.
Owners who would like to secure more formal validation of their tractor ownership should always retain a legible proof of purchase or receipt of the tractor and then use this proof along with the serial number of the tractor to employ a notary or similar public servant to draw up more formal legislation on their behalf.
Do tractors have VIN numbers?
Yes, every tractor will have a unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). These unique alphanumeric codes should be shared by dealers with buyers when handing over the new machine. These codes can be traced back to the manufacturers as well.
How do you prove ownership of a tractor?
A tractor bill of sale will allow for the transfer of ownership of a tractor to a buyer for cash or trade. A bill of sale is a legally binding document that will prove the buyer has paid a specified purchase price in exchange for the ownership or possession of a tractor.
Answer to "Do Tractors have Titles?"
In the end, a tractor normally doesn't come with a tractor certificate of ownership. If it's used for construction purposes or if it meets the loaded weight requirement as indicated by some state laws, then it can be eligible for a title.
Still, there are other options out there. From visiting the notary public to remembering the serial number, there are several ways to state your ownership of a tractor even without a title.
We hoped that this article clarified some important things for you regarding tractor ownership. If you have any queries to "do tractors have titles", do give us a comment.
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