$30K Stolen but I Got the Backhoe?!

A contractor allegedly never completed his work and left this old backhoe on his customers' property for over 2 years. Come along to see if I can get this machine running again and maybe take it home with me.

[@Gods33Acres]

Lot of work for a 55 year old machine. Need lots of parts and labor. Unknown factor of police involvement, owner in debt. Walk away.

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

Scrap metal and parts

[@KG-xt4oq]

@@Trumptrain2024Vance Dave said he would have to store it until the investigation is over and the (felony) owner will know he has it...not worth it for just scrap metal and parts.

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

Run!!

[@kennethney4260]

Even if the guy is a felon and stole money it's still his backhoe (unless he stole it from someone else. Unless they get a judgement against the guy and get possession of the backhoe legally it's not worth touching.

[@kenbuyce6018]

Not worth the hassle in my opinion.

[@Lakesidearmorer]

Don't walk RUN away from this deal !

[@BS0821]

I would offer to help them get it out of the neighbors yard and into their driveway for the time being. Then tell them you'd be more than happy to come take it away or scrap it when the dust settles legally.

[@PeterGriswald]

Walk away dude. WAY too many uncertainties, and you don't need the headache!

[@jonathanworachek6468]

Nobody likes a quitter

[@ScottFidler]

Charge a removal and storage fee. Dude will never be able to pay it. Take possession like a tow company would. Or screw it. Either way.

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

Maybe to risky for some scrap metal, that thing's a POS not worth spending any money on.

[@richardthomas1743]

Good morning Dave. I think that you did the right thing by walking away from it. There is no sense putting money into it if the scammer that owns it can come and make a claim for it once you have it repaired. Sometimes even "free" is not a good deal!

[@highpointhillfarm9452]

Have the property owner report the backhoe as abandoned to the police. I assume they have a procedure up there to have abandoned vehicles removed from private property by a tow company.

[@bazil538]

to move it without spending money, cap off the broken line, start it and raise the stabilizers and chain them in place then swap the line and cap there to get the bucket up.

[@HardEarnedBacon]

In my town in this situation this machine would "go missing" and the police would be told "someone stole it". Months later big sections of yellow metal would show up at the scrap yard and a good running diesel motor would be for sale on Marketplace. Lol

[@newsweathertraffic18]

Bruce Wilson bought a Wheel Loader that sat abandoned for 5 years on a commercial lot. After investing a ton of time and money into getting it usable again the original owner sued him and Bruce ultimately had to surrender the machine. The smart way to handle this would be to track down the contractor, tell him you hauled this machine to a storage yard and he can either pay you for haulage costs and storage or surrender it for scrap. If you can't contact him let it sit at your property for 2 years before touching it, then there's a good chance he's not coming looking for it.

[@Sjanzo]

Then Bruce should sue the seller for selling stolen goods. If the guy had no legal right selling it, it shouldnt be the buyer who bleeds for it. Off course i would want a signed purchase contract before touching it 😅👌

[@kennethney4260]

Who the hell is Bruce Wilson?

[@Jambo-u2k]

@@kennethney4260 A total nob.

[@ckm-mkc]

Should have been a lien sale. The commercial lot was responsible for making sure they put a lien on it and Bruce should have made sure it had a clear title in his name.

[@jonathanworachek6468]

That’s because the police are always on the criminal side especially this day and age they don’t take criminals to jail, but they do lock up the working man because he has money money to get out money to pay fines money for any restitutions the court system is there to take your money if you don’t have any You are better off being a homeless drug addict criminal

[@foxysolerider]

this one seems like one worth avoiding, have the local tow yard deal with it

[@r.a.redacted0000]

Leave it, not worth your time!

[@user-bt6hh9yu1n]

Or the heartache and stress of getting caught between The Big Criminal and a little criminal

[@schsch2390]

$2-4K for hoses, several thousand for other hydraulic parts, $1-2K for fluids, battery, filters and then the unknowns of other conditions and then a haulage cost even for your own truck/trailer not to mention your time. Agree with walk away.

[@GreeneJack]

Amazing video, you work for 40yrs to have $1M in your retirement, meanwhile some people are putting just $10K into trading from just few months ago and now they are multimillionaires

[@FrolDog-js4qj]

Waking up every 14th of each month to $210,000 it's a blessing to I and my family... Big gratitude to Ann Marie strunk🙌🏼

[@AnothonyGrisman]

Hello, I am very interested. As you know, there are tons of investments out there and without solid knowledge, I can't decide what is best. Can you explain further how you invest and earn?

[@EcstaSea-g9v]

Same, I operate a wide- range of Investments with help from My Financial Adviser. My advice is to get a professional who will help you, plan and enhance your management skills. For the record, working with Ann Marie strunk, has been an amazing experience.

[@NicksNotes-pj6hq]

Hello how do you make such monthly?? I'm a born Christian and sometimes I feel so down of myself because of low finance but I still believe in God

[@VssgGsggsd]

I'm favoured, $90K every week! I can now give back to the locals in my community and also support God's work and the church. God bless America,, all thanks to Ms Ann Marie strunk😊

[@Cydsdad]

I do not see a upside Dave . Run my friend

[@AndrewHollywood]

I would move it for the lady so the property can sell. That's the best you can do IMO.

[@nick21614]

The most i'd do is offer the people that need to close on their property to park it on the street for a fee that would be worth it to you. If the police thinks it is evidence then they can pay to tow it from the street.

[@dantheman3806]

Take it! If the homeowner and neighbor want it gone then they can not be home when you remove it and say they dunno what happened........

[@kieranosullivan02]

Could work but also could go sour is the problem

[@ckm-mkc]

Not with the police & courts involved, they all know about this machine. Just taking it would be theft.

[@snowblowerman5115]

I wouldn’t have paid him a single dime if he pulled up with that pile of shit. Would have said goodbye and saved enough money to get a legit contractor as I would say she chose him prolly because he was the cheapest.

[@BS.-.-]

The only way I would mess with that machine would be to jack up the loader and boom, then plug the hud lines and chain everything up. That machine isnt worth the thousands in hoses it needs that's prob why it's free and still sitting there. Chances are the guy isnt going to pay your storage fees anyway.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Good parts machine for somebody. You've got the right idea....Saying yes to this project keeps you away from good deals. By Friday you'll have found something more fun.

[@seandunn4203]

those rims look real good on the 12 valve man good too see some vids again , keep em coming , and i would stay away seen too many situations like that become a mess

[@spencerrobinson2719]

It is interesting…I think they should hire someone to drag it off the property line so the new neighbor can close on the house.

[@Scott924m]

New viewer here from Andrews channel . I'd say it's beyond repair So I'd say if its possible get it trailered you might need a mini exc. to lift and chain the implements and part it out there are others out that might need parts + scrap value that's a lot old America steel It's not totally worthless The motor runs so it's usefull to power something else.

[@m.brillon8808]

Run!

[@crizcriz103customz]

I think all it was good for was a good video Dave. The money and time not to mention headache in time is not worth it . Stay safe 👍

[@mikesorg6746]

If you wanted to take it and get it moved to your place and store it this is what you’re looking at for options: 1.) charge storage fees for keeping it and you might get paid if he wants it back. 2.) store it and charge storage fees and you don’t get anything for it because he steals it or doesn’t pay you. 3.) depending on abandonment laws on your state you might end up with it after so long because he doesn’t pay you for it and it doesn’t disappear. Since any of the above could be true you have to decide if it is worth getting it running enough to load it on and off a trailer. That’s about the extent of your commitment to it and only you can decide what to do.

[@JERRYRIG432]

The home owner can charge for storage, then they would own it.

[@shakes7333]

I would bow out of that deal. To many legal issues going on. Is that old thing really worth the trouble of having to deal with the owner of it? Im all about saving old iron but this one is a red flag. Just my opinion.....

[@aussiedirtmover]

❤❤😂😂 People say run DON'T be scared of a challenge whats free is a bargain. It wont take that much effort to move it for a MAN of your skills 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 One things before getting to excited is check up on the LEGALS about other peoples property 😢😢

[@Sjanzo]

Or write up.a written purchase contract, so you leave all legal issues with the property owner.

[@aussiedirtmover]

The owner of the property is not the legal owner of the backhoe one has to be very careful. One can not sell other peoples property even if they were owed money it becomes very messy with the legal side.I say SEEK legal advice before it becomes a nightmare. seen it happen many times with bad endings.

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

WOW that's crazy! She will get her money back over time! But not a nice experience! Never hand large sums of money to anyone! Pay contractors on a payment system! As the job progress gets done!

[@Dumpster_Dave]

Crazy thing is, she wired the money to him and he still did that

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

@@Dumpster_Dave wow very sad

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

You should expose this contractor it's all public information

[@ingo_8628]

That money is gone, she will never get it back.

[@bobmazzi7435]

Unlikely that she will see anything. The contractor is out of business, and the definition of fly by night. He's uncollectable. Not to say you don't file the judgement, but I'd be astounded if after he got out of jail he just did not fold the company into bankruptcy. Now, if you want to earn brownie points, haul it away and file for a mechanics lien for the towing and storage. Once you have that, give it a few months for the storage to build up and file for a title or permission to auction it. All depends on what your state allows. And it might not cost much, but it won't be quick.

[@fullers1966]

I know exactly what this person is going through had contractor problems myself actually had to file bankruptcy over at all and he got away with it

[@kieranosullivan02]

If you take it for free it could be yours but probably never will be, best not to have police or the guy involved. I'd maybe talk with the neighbour, if you can shift it off his property for a little fee so he can sell his house, at least only one house is involved in the mess

[@RangieNZ]

Use your dozer, to drag it 10ft into the plot where it was digging, then at least the guy can sell the other house. Chase a title for it, and if you get that, start work on it and take it.

[@caveweta]

This is job for Marty T and Captain Kleeman. Sorted in no time!

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

Not sure getting it started up is the same as getting it running.

[@Dumpster_Dave]

That thing ran smooth, but was blowing hydraulic fluid everywhere

[@MrPhotodoc]

Discretion is the better part of junking.

[@Booker58]

Dave don't do it .........much to risky.....

[@Dumpster_Dave]

Yeah it needs a lot

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

That's a Andrew special! Andrew would pimp that out

[@Dumpster_Dave]

Lol

[@Trumptrain2024Vance]

@@Dumpster_Dave I would take all the parts off it motor and Scrap the rest! It's on her property she could claim it! I would put it at the contractors front lawn of his his!

[@Bugsbunny-mc9qq]

@@Dumpster_Davehave Andrew help it he can lift it out of there with his 10 excavators lol😂

[@chuckiowa]

@@Trumptrain2024Vance did not hear Him it Also setting some on the next door Lot and they can't closed until it off the lot

[@dougrenaud]

Dave, Bad Karma, walk away from this situation ! Nothing good will come from it.

[@jennyoreilly5980]

Keep your hands in your pockets.

[@14sgdpg82]

leave it mate not worth the hassle in the long run

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

The homeowner trying to close will likely have to haul the machine off his property. Maybe it should go to Police impound.

[@jeffreyc6508]

Run Forest Run!!!!!

[@caleb9138]

Go for it. Not only is it a cool project. But the drama is good content. Just as everyone else has mentioned taking possession of the machine is not a big deal because if that individual wanted it back, he would have to pay tow/storage in addition to any repairs that you have done. Keep a good record of it and you’ll be fine.

[@lithiumike]

Better for a tow company to take and hold in their yard, if they can find one that'll take it.

[@walterbrown8694]

If it were in "perfect condition" (didn't need any repairs/whatever), how much is it likely worth on the market ? How much would likely be needed for you to get it to the sellable condition ? Since it's currently an element of ongoing litigation, what would the likely financial impact of that be on your decision ? Don' know Dave, but to me it's a "no brainer". Enjoyed the video though.

[@Steven5teven]

Walk away from it, It will be one big headache!

[@brianr2964]

not worth the hassle

[@socialkruption]

Why you NEVER give money like that up front.

[@mikenelson6630]

One thing you should be aware of with Hydraulic hoses, I know that they can be extremely expensive to replace. I can't give a clear price, but I believe that just the one hose that blew might cost a couple hundred dollars or more. (my guess) Many of the hoses are in bad shape, and if the contractor actually had a bucket under it, you know it was almost certainly NOT well maintained. Until the hose is repaired, it won't be able to be removed from the property. The body rust is not good, but isn't necessarily a deal breaker. Even though the engine runs, before you do anything with it, you MUST be certain that you have clear 100% title of it - IN WRITING. Anything else, and it's best to walk away.

[@chuckiowa]

Hey as a x cop i tell you to run away from it and also being have own a backhoe This one is a Money pit if can get someone to haul out for the iron But your going have to hold onto it for some time to claim over a storage bill I would walk away

[@huntersisk1294]

Fix the hoses and whatnot and bring it home, They are good machines.

[@junkboxgarageOG]

I wouldn’t touch this thing with a 10 foot stick. Not only is it old and tore up, you won’t even legally own it. Going after the guy for “storage” fees will never work. Sucks for those people but it’s their problem.

[@johnmcdermott8523]

I would need to see pleadings in the civil case and see the contractor's prior criminal record. Only two States title heavy equipment. I might want an order from the Judge in the civil case allowing me to purchase it at a fixed price, free of any claims of any party, except the lady homeowner's claim for two years storage. Possession is 9/10ths of the law.

[@Dumpster_Dave]

I told her to call the police tomorrow and ask to get it In writing that your taking possession. Then I’ll come back

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Take to the scrapers!

[@AlwaysBored123]

On the one hand, it's a running backhoe for free. On the other, it's going to cost thousands of dollars in parts and labor to get it into usable condition and at any time some random crooked contractor or the police might pop in and take it. Hard pass imo.

[@TheSubatomicCheese]

"Running" is a loose word for something as worn out as this.

[@bobmazzi7435]

Uhh, the motor runs. Who knows what the drive is like. And it needs major investments in hydraulics. OTOH, the hydraulic oil looked clean which is a good sign, and it did fire right up. It could be a nice machine again with enough money dumped in it.

[@josh-t4y]

Buy it and take it to the Auction

[@joshuapaul349]

I was going to say on the laat vid with the shop build, "Now you just need more stuff". Well, there you go.

[@Dumpster_Dave]

I have a lot broken stuff lol

[@joshuapaul349]

@@Dumpster_Dave I have a 10x20 block building at my house. Finally added AC to it so projects are enjoyable now. Hopefully you find a good way to insulate your new one.

[@hilham89]

She didnt pay $30k for a garage she paid that for a backhoe. I know you said she got permission to do with it whatever she wanted, but I'm not sure. Technically, she owns it now, depending on what state this is in. I'm actually at a loss of words, that a lot of money for someone to just give before they started the job. Should have known better. Never give up front.

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

Dave, I would not even mess with this, too much going on with this and you can find a much better and clean title machine. Walk away form this. This has disaster written all over it, don't get involved.

[@keithmatthews1673]

I would suggest doing nothing until the court case is finished as that could have unpredictable consequences. I don't know any USA law but the police seem to be implying that the home owner does not currently have the right to dispose of the machine! I would say leave your business card and for now walk away and in any case it is probably only worth scrapping.

[@bobmazzi7435]

The home owner certainly does have the right to dispose of abandoned stuff on their property. But, without a bill of sale it's not saleable. And it will need lots of hydraulic repairs to be useable.

[@PaulRansonArt]

Shame - but it's a millstone and probably better sent to the breaker yard. The owner has a few more things to worry about right now so I don't think he'll be easy to find

[@stuartmorris4932]

Take it to a auction

[@GICK117]

Sadly, you should walk away. Or at least talk to a real estate attorney before hauling it off. It could cost you money. These days? Best to leave it where it sits. Or charge the neighbor to move it to that victims property.

[@3sparewashers-lg3gf]

Honestly I would enjoy watching a “revive and drive” type thing on this, but if I know anything about AGCO, best of luck trying to get parts for that thing, more over, getting them without needing a second mortgage. I’d be very cautious of getting involved in something with this much ongoing due process. It may be best for everyone involved for the land owner to hire a towing company to remove it, let them worry about storing it. I want to save it as well but it’s probably best to not get involved. Shame how nice people get suckered like they did.

[@BrianMDIY]

I'd help to move it off the property line. Leave it with the homeowner. Not worth the drama beyond that.

[@richkh]

@13:25 - When I saw that container, I assumed that the scumbag contractor left his lunch there to ferment for a couple of years!

[@samuelbacon1596]

Dave for the sake of the woman who got screwed and $30,000 that’s a shame if you could get it running and moving on her property only for the people next-door can sell their house that would be a great at a boy then let her charge storage and put a lien on the equipment and let her get involved in it you stay out of it but if you could move it so the guy next-door can sell the house that’ll be a big big big Attaboy that’s how I handle this you have a business to run and you’re trying to establish shit you get a blackeye for not helping somebody and you’ve already put it on KZbin not good Samuel bacon

[@Sjanzo]

Cant the property owner report a stolen vehicle abandoned on his property, and have it brought into police impound yard ? The issue i see is that the property owner is still fighting over the 30 grand, and you are already involved on youtube. No chance to make it just disappear with a torch and say it was stolen. So, best to pull it fully onto the customers property and wait the court case and let the judge decide.

[@leonardwalker8700]

If you can get a clean bill of sale it would be a great machine, but anything less than that I would run

[@kennethney4260]

I really doubt there's a ground wire on that 3 wire key plug. Should be a 1 hot wire and 1 load for run (lights etc) and 1 load to engage the starter

[@Dumpster_Dave]

It’s doesn’t, I don’t know why I said that

[@Ned-p1y]

As Kenny Rodgers would say no when to walk away

[@kennethney4260]

@@Ned-p1y no?

[@inthewoods5471]

honestly man put that up on your flatbed and tow it to the scrap yard take the cash solve the problem.

[@joeyschannel3760]

You need to finish the other backhoe and work on your excavator

[@tomjohn3364]

Run don't walk away

[@jacklabloom635]

The owner will wait until you repair it and then claim ownership of it.

[@leolarocque-v5v]

It look like its Scrap down put mony in that backhoe .

[@bumpkinrocks]

If the owners can sort the legal side for you 100% then great, otherwise not worth the hassle!

[@horstszibulski19]

Just leave it there, too much work and dealing with these kind of guys can lead to more problems that this is worth... 😮😵‍💫😱

[@terryadams4857]

Wow Captain Kleenman would have loved this one it’s actually in real good shape for ist age shame about the baggage that comes with it but Run and hide is ur best bet sadly 😕

[@Bwess2023]

Leave that money pit right there.

[@harleyshihtzu5558]

Run like hell

[@kwinterburn]

Get the backhoe get a signed statement from the lady as to the $30,000 story and the man arrested , it has sat for years , it's hers to do as she wishes , just problem would be with her for disposing of it , not you , and he would not approach her , get it font forget the oil spilt on the neighbours land that comes with a serious penalty if someone comes calling , as you would clear it up

[@keiths-teeth]

Store it in the metal shredder

[@michaelreischman9429]

Good luck finding parts Hard to find-- List it as a parts machine.

[@slngblde]

Run from that deal, they will end up suing you most likely. Only value I see is the engine and it’s not worth enough for the years of hassle you will be dealing with.

[@timhernandez2582]

Walk Away - too much entanglement

[@criticalevent]

Why does it look like fire hose connections on the right side?

[@markswede1737]

Leave it and don't look back!!!

[@jeepwild5772]

Walk away, don’t make someone else’s problem yours

[@michaelwilbur7959]

D ONT TOUCH THAT

[@scottfoster2487]

See if you could offer 3 grand for the machine to get the folks some money and and then fix it up ,it is rough yes but for a future project it could be a unique restoration.

[@WeekendHandymen]

do a good deed and move it ever so slightly over the property line so the house can sell then run and dont look back

[@Dumpster_Dave]

If they want to buy the parts

[@CSWmanofsteel]

Walk away!! It’s a pile 🤓🤙🏼

[@SWResto]

Feel for the lady!, But unless you could get money back for any work you did on it Via mechanic storage lean? Doubt it would work out!

[@paulholman1554]

RUN

[@suzrtimm5930]

Well…. It’s probably not worth your time since there’s a lot going on with this. But only if you want the headache to repair everything and get involved then go for it. But if I was you I wouldn’t go with it unless you can speak with the 👮‍♀️ officers to set some sort of compensation for your hauling it away off the property. But it seems like you would have to make that decision yourself. We’ve given you our thoughts. 😊

[@kenfrazier616]

wise thing is to pass, who knows the dollars you put in it and get taken

[@felixlujan4809]

A lot of work, but you took on the job for your video content, just through your assessment/walkaround you would have known that it's not worth fixing.

[@droidian]

I believe that backhoe is from Big Lots. yw 🐝 I hope you can help them out ... somehow. 🐝 Good in/outros.

[@TheSubatomicCheese]

If you can get it clean then take it, else, too many uncertainties and legal issues. Don't want to get involved with a machine belonging to that kind of sketchoid contractor either, he might show up at your shop looking for it and take something else as payment.