New Bavaria, OH – Siefker Real Estate & Auctions had an online sale on Oct. 7 featuring compact John Deere equipment, shop tools and other farm-related items. The machinery had been meticulously maintained by Bill Helberg, a longtime local farm equipment repairman who was downsizing his collection. The auction included 187 lots offered via Proxibid.com, with a preview available on Oct. 4. Payments were accepted by cash, check or money order.

Of particular draw were six Deere compact machines. Grabbing the event’s top sum of $24,000 was a one-owner 2024 John Deere 835R Gator with only 100 hours, lightly used for cruising. The super-clean 4WD unit featured a full cab with power steering, heat and AC, and radio. It was fitted with tight doors and glass, and custom wood sideboards.

A bid of about half of that – $13,250 – took second place, for a good-condition JD 4WD 1025R diesel tractor with only 198 hours. The ready-to-work machine was outfitted with hydrostatic, a 120R loader, a custom boom, a fork-ready bucket, plus an auto-connect 60D mower. A near-new JD 1023E diesel subcompact utility tractor drew $10,750. It featured a factory cab, hydro drive, a custom rear blade, and a 47-inch quick-hitch snowblower with a rolling cart. Practically untouched, with only 11.3 hours, the owner joked, “It just didn’t snow much!”

Winning bids dropped noticeably from there, with a finely maintained 2024 Deere Z530M zero-turn mower with just 77 hours landing at $3,200. It was equipped with a 48-inch Accel deep deck, Kawasaki v-twin engine, hydro-drive, custom step assist, chute and rollbar. A well-kept JD X590 followed at $3,100. Showing only 179 hours, it was the owner’s main mower and came equipped with a 48-inch Accel Deep deck, Kawasaki V-twin, power steering, hydro drive, heavy-duty frame, and chute. Bidding hit $2,200 for a 1988 John Deere 332 diesel garden tractor, showing 1,718 hours. In exceptional shape for its age, and a true workhorse, it offered a 50-inch deck, three-point hitch, and front snow blower.

Deere and other brands of implements were also offered, including a Deere garden disk – originally used on the JD 332 (above) – going to a new home for $110. A Deere garden cultivator, also used on the 332, went for $60, while a Brinly cultivator was grabbed for $55.

Equally prominent at this sale was the selection of shop equipment. It was led by a well-cared-for Enco 110-1351 lathe – stored under a blanket when not in use – with a 13-by-40 gear head, cabinet, chucks, live centers, and accessories, all going for $3,100. An Enco ZX-40 milling machine, with additional face mills, chucks, boring heads, cabinet, work lamp, transformer box, and power feeder, sold for $950. Later, a Craftsman 20-inch industrial drill press hammered at $750.

Somewhat lower offers scored items like a 20-drawer U.S. General rolling tool cabinet that changed hands for $475 and an air-operated shop press that struck $400. Bidding went to $200 for a Central Precision 7-by-10 mini-lathe – yet another piece stored under a blanket to preserve its condition.

Tool sets and hand tools also attracted attention: an approximately 200-piece SAE and metric socket set, with sockets, handles, extensions, and other accessories, reached $200 even though incomplete. Then, a Chas Parker 974 1/2 bench vise went for $80, while a Pittsburgh compact bender pulled $75.

For the home and garden, there were items like a Brinly lawn sweeper, scooped up for $150. An offer of $90 won a Ryobi 3000psi pressure washer, and an 85-pound tow-behind spreader left for $75. Some practical finds even went for under $25, including a Remington pole saw snagged for $20.

Back in John Deere territory, this sale also held a handful of JD accessories and collectibles. A working, lighted, round John Deere wall sign shone at $170. On the other end, a collection with two Deere clocks, a round tin sign, and a figural sign of a tractor was picked up for a modest $30. A $25 offer won a set of JD tractor weights, while a Deere four-drawer metal file cabinet filled with belts and supplies went home for just $4.

Siefker has several auctions currently on its calendar.  For more information, visit: www.siefkerauctions.com.