If you are looking to buy second-hand or used farm equipment/large machinery for your job, you may be wondering where these machines have come from, and why some machinery you buy comes with titles.
For novices to buy machinery, you may not understand what this means or the implications of having vehicles or machines with titles. That is why we are here.
We will guide you through what vehicles can have titles, which cannot, and what you should do if you believe that the machine you have bought is stolen.
Here is everything you need to know about titles on various machines.
What Is Titled Equipment?
Any licensed vehicle, truck, or trailer that is represented (or required to be represented) by a Certificate of Title issued under the laws of a state in the United States is considered Titled Equipment.
Do Skid Steers Have Titles?
In the industry, this form of equipment is referred to as “non-titled equipment.” As you may know, most construction equipment, such as excavators, bulldozers, and skid steers, lack titles.
Do Heavy Equipment Machines Require Titles?
Heavy machinery does not have a title. If you’re buying used equipment, you can get the original sales invoice from the vendor, which should include their name.
The Product Identification Number (PIN) should also be checked by your local police department to ensure the car hasn’t been reported stolen.
Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment is defined as machinery. Despite being classified as commercial vehicles, these devices are self-propelled. Heavy machinery is used to transport materials, which is why it belongs within this category.
Several categories of heavy equipment machinery do not require titles when bought or sold so do your research on your machinery to see if it needs one.
Why Don’t These Machines Need Titles?
For a variety of reasons, the machines do not require a title. Vehicle titles are used for a variety of reasons, the most essential of which is to maintain control.
Titles, sometimes known as “pink slips,” allow you to see detailed information about a vehicle.
Some of the information in the titles is really valuable because it provides you with information about the condition of the device you are purchasing.
This document exists to ensure that people’s commercial transactions are fair. In addition, titles provide a link between a vehicle and its owner.
Some of the reasons for these vehicles not needing a title are:
- Commercial trucks aren’t built to travel long distances.
- They have a lower likelihood of causing traffic collisions.
- Don’t jeopardize the safety of other drivers as they are not used on roads
- Theft is less likely to occur in these vehicles.
How Do I Prove I Own The Machine Without A Title?
The vendor must be able to prove that he or she is the owner of the equipment.
An ideal alternative is the original invoice or bill of sale from when the current owner purchased the equipment. The vendor is likely to have the details for important equipment items purchased from a dealership on file.
How To Tell If I Have Bought Stolen Equipment
Inquiring about or looking for the serial number or PIN (Product Identification Number) is another method of determining who owns secondhand equipment .
Once you have the item’s unique number, run it through a service or your local police station to see if it has been reported stolen.
How To Find Out If There Is A Lien/Debt On Your Equipment
A lien search is the best technique to check if the farm tractor is collateral for any outstanding debts or obligations. Under the Universal Commercial Code in the United States, a search would be conducted through the Secretary of State in your state.
Can You Get Insurance On Equipment If It Has No Title?
Yes, you can receive insurance even if your equipment has no title. The insurance provider will examine you and gather all of the essential information before sending you your policy.
Because you invest a lot of money on a piece of heavy equipment, it’s understandable if you want coverage. You might be looking for a way to protect your equipment from damage while it’s in use.
Here are a few of the most common reasons why people insurance their heavy machinery:
- You’re renting your gear and want to be sure it’s protected in case it’s damaged.
- Theft of small items of equipment is a common occurrence.
- You leased a piece of equipment and are in charge of its upkeep.
Some people choose the insurance coverage that will cover both the loss of the equipment and any financial damages caused as a result of the broken machine.
Depending on what insurance you get, the coverage may cover both the operator and the business owner in the event of an operator’s accident.
Many people recommend consulting an expert before deciding on a policy. These are legally binding contracts, and if you don’t ask the right questions, you could end yourself with terms you don’t like.
The title is less important than the insurance if you want to lien your equipment. The majority of financial institutions will want confirmation of coverage. They are aware that this type of vehicle does not have a title.
However, you will need specific documents to get insurance or put the machinery up for collateral such as:
- A buy receipt is a document that certifies that you have made a purchase.
- A serial number, often known as a product identification number, is a number that uniquely identifies a product (PIN)
- Photographs of the equipment
Do Tractors Have Titles?
Farm tractors are not titled or registered since they have a lower rate of theft and fraud than automobiles.
The Secretary of State in the state where the car was acquired by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States frequently issues automobile titles.
Summary
As you can see, big machinery does not require titles. These are referred to as machine parts. Although they are mobile and capable of transporting both people and cargo, they have a limited range of applications.
This is because they do not cause traffic congestion. These vehicles only enter congested areas on rare occasions, and when they do, they must adhere to strict guidelines.
In any case, having a title on your vehicle is not that important, though it is still necessary in some cases. Most of the time though the title will come with the vehicle so you won’t have to worry about it.
Through this website, I will be talking you through everything you need to know about machinery, covering machine parts and all types of construction equipment. Compact Operator will serve as the ultimate guide for everything you need to know.
- Best Forklift Attachments - April 4, 2023
- Telehandler & Forklift Bucket Attachments - February 17, 2023
- Excavator to Skid Steer Adapter – The Most Useful Excavator Attachment? - January 26, 2023
