New member

I am also glad I found you after spending endless hours researching this business on line. I live in the midwest and spent the last 30 years in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. I am semi-retired from education (not in the profession anymore, but hoping not to tap my retirement.) I was a millwright in a saw mill in my college days and learned to use a torch and weld. I got into this business by volunteering to scrap a farm estate for a family member.

I have not explored the entire site and the answers might be available to my questions, but I have to ask anyway.



1. When scraping a farm, what is a fair % of profit for the owner?

2. Does anyone have experience scraping tractors and heavy machinery? I know to scrap radiators, electic motors, motors, and the like separate from the machine, but is it worth cutting the entire machine or should I just haul it in? I am selling some of the tractors to tractor parts recyclers.

3. Should I continue looking for a metal deck flatbed gooseneck or will a wood deck serve my purposes for an extended period of time.

4. I have a small ranch outside a rural town and plan to advertise by word of mouth. I have about 4-6 months of work contracted already. Is this a mistake?

5. What parts of other farm machinery should be scraped separately (balers, augers, diggers, swathers, discs, etc.)?

Any information you can offer a newbie would be greatly appreciated.

Patriot 76

welcome from iowa

Hello Patriot, and welcome to SMF

I can't offer much info, but I think you're on the right track with first pursuing better than scrap value in recycling parts etc. You might also find better offers on antique tractor forums, and by advertising them on craigslist

Thank you that replied so quickly. I always wanted to know what I would be when I finally grew up. Spent most of the day on this web site and learned alot. Now I know and look forward to learning alot more.

Great resources. Thank you Mechanic688.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome from Indiana...

On % for the owner, make sure it is clear that the split happens AFTER costs are accounted for, such as torch fuels, torch tips, vehicle fuel, blades for various saws, anything else that costs money.

Also, by me the Amish buy a lot of the old farm equipment, might be worth looking into by you.