Combines Dropoffs

We have purchased several combines that have had shipping or other damage. Most insurance companies turn their claims over to their underwriter who uses a claims service to adjust and handle the salvage end. Most insurance companies will give you the name of the claims service they use. For shipping damage the best way is to go through the carrier who does alot the same as the insurance companies using a claims service or the larger carriers handle the salvage themselves. Most of the time they are more than anxious to give you info because the more people they get bidding on an item the better they come out. Just for the record we purchased a new 1660 off the railroad and a 9600 from a claims service. JFarms

Curious about what the extent of damage usually is on these combines. Is it usually just sheet metal or do inner workings get screwed upIJ What is the price range a guy would have to figure on and how much would you usually have to sink into the thing once you get itIJ Will you come out ahead on this sort of thingIJ

Damage could be anything from scratches and dents to complete destruction. Don't ever buy a machine without looking at it personally. The best deals tend to be the ones where major parts are damaged but repairable because the estimates made by adjusters are to put the machine back into original condition not to fix and straighten. For instance our 9600 had a damage estimate by insurance of around $40,000 we put in around $1500 and haven't had a problem in 1400 hrs. The thing to keep in mind is don't buy anything you can't use yourself this way when it comes to resale and you tell them you put so many hours on it yourself it helps satisfy the fact the title states salvage.