By ANN ALLEN
Indiana Correspondent

SOUTH WHITLEY, Ind. — By May 14, heavy rains had turned the barn lot into a quagmire, but the mud did little to dampen the enthusiasm of 125 registered bidders vying for surplus equipment owned by brothers Robert and John Thomas.

Auctioneer Don King felt prices were good, but John Thomas registered disappointment that they weren’t higher. His brother was not present.
The hot item was a 1975 IH 766-D that sold for $9,400. King said he sells hundreds of antique tractors per year but this was the first time he had sold a 766. “There weren’t very many manufactured,” he said. “Price is determined by the number available.”

A 1920s era Fordson drew a lot of interest but few bids before going for $275. Most agreed it would be better suited for parts than for restoration since its engine was frozen. King said fully restored Fordsons sell for $2,200-$2,500.
“Henry Ford made a lot of them,” he explained.

Other prices included an IH 1466 for $9,100, a New Holland discbine for $11,000, a Claas round baler for $8,600, a Fox pull chopper for $270 and a self-propelled chopper for $450.