How do you prove you own a tractor in the state of Ohio?

[williaty]

In Ohio, tractors don't have titles like cars do. As far as I can tell, there's no official legal document of ownership and no official process for transferring legal ownership to someone who buys your tractor from you. Is there any way to prevent a he-said-she-said where someone steals your tractor and then claims you sold it to them when the cops come knocking?

 

[joefromga]

Take plenty of photos with you on the tractor.
Get a stamp set and stamp your own vin# on it and keeping that for records.
Have a bill of sale on hand.
Have the keys in your possession. Only use copies of them and keep originals at home.
You could always store paperwork in a hidden location like inside the seat cover if there ever was a problem.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I would have a bill of sale notarized upon sale/purchase, be sure to include VIN/serial numbers on bill of sale.

I don't own my tractor, John Deere Financial does, a fact they are quick to remind me of when we miss a payment. I'm sure they have clear records of identity of 'my' tractor.

 

[newbury]

Post lots of interesting threads on TBN with pictures of you, your family, and dog(s) in the picture with the tractor. Cat's and cows are ok also.

 

[sea2summit]

A good reason to have/had a loan on it, bank documents are hard to argue.

 

[Wagtail]

Post lots of interesting threads on TBN with pictures of you, your family, and dog(s) in the picture with the tractor. Cat's and cows are ok also.

That and name your tractor something like 'Shirley', then paint some 'nose art' on it: https://www.google.com.au/search?hl....0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.11.2055.zyQy_8WRUy8

 

[chim]

Tractors have S/N's. I have a bill of sale from the dealer. If at some point I sell it I can generate a bill of sale for the buyer. If it means enough to the buyer to do so, we can go get my BOS to him notarized so it is at least a little better than a piece of paper. I suppose that technically providing a notarized BOS still doesn't mean it was legally mine to sell. It only means I signed it in the presence of an acceptable witness.

 

[JJZ 109]

I bought my skid steer from an individual. The only paperwork that I really have is the original bill of sale from the dealer and hand written receipts from him. He did also send me a copy of the letter from his finance company stating that he'd paid the machine off after I paid him for it.

 

[Duwop]

Virginia is same ( no titles) proof of ownership bill of sale with SN

 

[oosik]

WA only has BOS with SN on it. However - the up side is - with no title there is no fees as with an auto.