Rice Farming

As a manufacturer of landplanes and grain carts, Randy Purdy is also in the business of buying used equipment, refurbishing it and reselling it.

Over the years, the DeWitt, Ark., businessman has developed a system to avoid getting taken by people who do not legally own the used equipment they’re trying to sell.

It involves doing homework—talking to local business people in the area where the seller lives, conducting lien searches and even calling major equipment manufacturers.

“If I don’t know the people (selling the equipment), I will generally ask around with equipment dealers, bankers and chemical people because they can tell you real quickly that the guy is steady or you better watch it,” Purdy says.

And Purdy is correct in approaching used equipment purchases with caution, says Mary Beth Hash, regional coordinator of the Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network, or ACTION, program. Based in Tulare, Calif., the state-funded, eight-county program focuses on preventing and solving ag-related crimes.

Doing your homework pays
The extra time you take to do your homework beforehand can save you not only the hassle of answering questions from law enforcement officials, but also money, Hash says. If you unknowingly buy stolen equipment, law enforcement officers can confiscate it and return it to the rightful owners.

You are then out the money you paid for it, which can amount to thousands of dollars for larger pieces of machinery.

If you buy equipment you know is stolen, you can be arrested and prosecuted for aiding and abetting in a crime and other possible violations.

If it’s too good to be true ...
But there are ways of avoiding being duped by people selling stolen equipment.

“Nine times out of 10, if farmers go down to buy a piece of equipment and the price just seems too good to be true, you will usually be getting into something pretty seedy,” Hash says. “But people can’t pass up a good deal.”

If the equipment is being sold in 16 California counties that have an OAN, or owner applied number, database, prospective buyers can call the county sheriff’s office to find out if the equipment has been reported stolen.

The would-be buyer also can find out who the owner of record is.

Under the OAN program, owners etch an identifying number on all equipment. That number, as well as the owner’s name and address, is then recorded in a computer database at the county sheriff’s office with the equipment’s VIN (vehicle identification number) or serial number.

Other county sheriff’s offices and state law enforcement agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol, have access to the information via an Internet site.

Many equipment owners are placing the OAN in several locations on the machinery so law enforcement officers still have a way of tracking ownership if it’s dismantled, Hash says.

Ask the right questions
Because Purdy buys equipment in states that don’t have an OAN program, he uses other helpful techniques he’s developed over the years.

Besides talking to locals, he may conduct a lien search if he still has questions about ownership. Although the process is not cheap, Purdy says it can pay off if you find one or two entities hold the liens and the seller doesn’t have free and clear ownership.

It can also show whether the equipment is stolen.

If the deal involves relatively new large equipment—such as a tractor—and Purdy is suspicious, he may call the manufacturer.

By providing the VIN, Purdy is able to locate the dealer who sold the equipment. He then calls the dealer to find out who bought the equipment.

Since most new equipment typically is financed through the dealer, he or she should be able to tell you who holds the lien if it’s 1 or 2 years old.

Be on the lookout for these caution flags

The ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information & Operations Network) Project provides the following caution flags to guide you when buying used farm equipment:

Pssst ... Buddy Do I have a deal for you Watch for caution flags to avoid buying stolen used equipment
By Vicky Boyd Editor
As a manufacturer of landplanes and grain carts, Randy Purdy is also in the business of buying used equipment, refurbishing it and reselling it. Over the years, the DeWitt, Ark., businessman has developed a system to avoid getting taken by people who do not legally own the used equipment they’re trying to sell. It involves doing homework—talking to local business people in the area where the seller lives, conducting lien searches and even calling major equipment manufacturers. “If I don’t know the people (selling the equipment), I will generally ask around with equipment dealers, bankers and chemical people because they can tell you real quickly that the guy is steady or you better watch it,” Purdy says. And Purdy is correct in approaching used equipment purchases with caution, says Mary Beth Hash, regional coordinator of the Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network, or ACTION, program. Based in Tulare, Calif., the state-funded, eight-county program focuses on preventing and solving ag-related crimes. Doing your homework pays The extra time you take to do your homework beforehand can save you not only the hassle of answering questions from law enforcement officials, but also money, Hash says. If you unknowingly buy stolen equipment, law enforcement officers can confiscate it and return it to the rightful owners. You are then out the money you paid for it, which can amount to thousands of dollars for larger pieces of machinery. If you buy equipment you know is stolen, you can be arrested and prosecuted for aiding and abetting in a crime and other possible violations. If it’s too good to be true ... But there are ways of avoiding being duped by people selling stolen equipment. “Nine times out of 10, if farmers go down to buy a piece of equipment and the price just seems too good to be true, you will usually be getting into something pretty seedy,” Hash says. “But people can’t pass up a good deal.” If the equipment is being sold in 16 California counties that have an OAN, or owner applied number, database, prospective buyers can call the county sheriff’s office to find out if the equipment has been reported stolen. The would-be buyer also can find out who the owner of record is. Under the OAN program, owners etch an identifying number on all equipment. That number, as well as the owner’s name and address, is then recorded in a computer database at the county sheriff’s office with the equipment’s VIN (vehicle identification number) or serial number. Other county sheriff’s offices and state law enforcement agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol, have access to the information via an Internet site. Many equipment owners are placing the OAN in several locations on the machinery so law enforcement officers still have a way of tracking ownership if it’s dismantled, Hash says. Ask the right questions Because Purdy buys equipment in states that don’t have an OAN program, he uses other helpful techniques he’s developed over the years. Besides talking to locals, he may conduct a lien search if he still has questions about ownership. Although the process is not cheap, Purdy says it can pay off if you find one or two entities hold the liens and the seller doesn’t have free and clear ownership. It can also show whether the equipment is stolen. If the deal involves relatively new large equipment—such as a tractor—and Purdy is suspicious, he may call the manufacturer. By providing the VIN, Purdy is able to locate the dealer who sold the equipment. He then calls the dealer to find out who bought the equipment. Since most new equipment typically is financed through the dealer, he or she should be able to tell you who holds the lien if it’s 1 or 2 years old. Be on the lookout for these caution flags The ACTION (Agricultural Crime Technology Information & Operations Network) Project provides the following caution flags to guide you when buying used farm equipment: The asking price is just too good to be true. Identifying markings (signs/decals) are removed or painted over. PIN plates are removed; OAN (owner applied numbers) are rubbed out. The type of equipment does not suit the location, such as construction equipment where there is no building activity or farm equipment in a residential area. Equipment is not in a secure location or has not been moved for some time. This is detected by repeat observations or age of tracks. Equipment is being transported late at night or on weekends or holidays. Equipment is being hauled on trucks or trailers not specifically designed for such equipment. New equipment is on old transport trailer. Hauled equipment doesn’t have proper tie-downs; lacks wide load or overweight signs or lights. The labels/markings on the equipment do not match those of the unit carrying it. Commonly stolen equipment includes tractors, skip loaders, backhoes, forklifts, pumps, generators and compressors. Internet Hotlink: For more information on ag crime prevention, visit the ACTION Project’s Web site at www.agcrime.net. Contact Vicky Boyd at (209) 571-0414 or vlboyd@att.net.
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