BELLAIRE, Mich — On Tuesday, August 15, Michigan’s Brad Neurhart Auctioneers held an engaging live and online auction of portions of the collection of the William F. Sell & Son Ford farm equipment dealership. Some in-person shopping was offered in conjunction with the auction, and the sale coincided with the large Buckley Old Engine Show in nearby Buckley, Mich., making for a full day.

The auction featured 891 items, starting with working and non-working tractors, parts, and farm equipment. Later in the auction signs, toys, and memorabilia tied to Ford and other agricultural equipment manufacturers were offered.

The first three tractors were in working condition. First came a 1971 Ford 2110 Low-Profile (LCG) in good running condition that ran up $1,500. Next came a Ford 641 WorkMaster with power steering, also in good running condition, that bid to $2,250. It was followed by a Ford 840, also running well, that hit $1,100. A rare green double-sided porcelain Ford Tractor/Ferguson Systems dealer sign that struck a tidy $2,050, 

Then came two tractors, that while intact, were not in running order. A Ford 851 tractor with a free but non-running motor managed $790. A late Ford 8N with a side distributor and tachometer had good oil pressure and fired but would not stay running. Bidders were willing to fork over $520 for it. 

Three tractors were more parts machines than restoration candidates. Another Ford 8N with side distributor and tachometer, listed as parts or restoration was hauled off for just $77. A Ford 9N Tractor with a frozen engine and missing much of its sheet metal only took $27. Another Ford 9N parts tractor, with a stuck engine, missing all four wheels, the seat, and quite a bit more only made it to $22.

Other lots contained body and cosmetic parts, like a Ford tractor bumper that reached $40. A lot with three Ford vintage tractor radiators got half of that. Tractor seats ranged from $5 for a lot containing two vintage metal seats to $53 for a new Grammer seat.

Plenty of power equipment was also available. A Ford 715A 5-foot 3-point snowblower with PTO and a hydraulic angle chute went to $450. A 5-foot Ford brush hog came in not far behind at $325, while a good-condition loader to fit a Ford 8N tractor managed $125.

Lawn and garden gear was also in good supply, starting with a Grasshopper 620 with a 52-inch deck, Kohler gas engine, and only 1456 hours. It hit the auction high of $2,850. Three lots with chainsaws were available. One held a pair of Fords - one new, one for parts - that sold for $355. A Stihl Model 009 chainsaw got $64, and a lot with a Hitachi and Homelight grabbed $38. 

Then came scores of lots with power and hand shop tools. Among the more impressive offerings was a Porter Cable 60-gallon air compressor which ran up $455. A like-new Honda EU1000 generator sold for $245. A used but good-condition shop crane raised $53.

There were 84 lots containing dealer and service manuals. A lot with Volumes 1 and 2 of the Ford 10 Series Dealer Service Manuals went for an impressive $110. Many of the other manuals sold in the $10-$40 range but there were plenty that sold for just the opening bid of $1.

This auction was rife with collectibles ranging from vintage Ford signs to scale-model tractors. The most significant model was a very rare gold 1/12-scale Ford 6000 Commander with a Select O’ Speed medallion. Heavy bidding took that to $1,425. No other model tractor came close, although a remote-control Ford 4000 forklift with pallet and box managed $710. One collectible, as functional as it was eye-catching, was a 1940s-era Blackhawk torpedo-shaped toolbox filled with 7/16 inch drive sockets that pulled $125.

For information on upcoming Neuhart auctions, visit: www.bradneuhart.com