Outstanding results were the order of the day for the timed online farm dispersal sale held by Cheffins for a client in Great Raveley in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, which closed on Monday 15th June. The auction was a genuine dispersal sale with some impressive and immaculate kit on offer including a number of low houred tractors, self-propelled sprayer, loaders, combine harvester and machinery.

Oliver Godfrey, Director and Auctioneer at Cheffins says: “Considering we are in the midst of a global pandemic, there were some truly remarkable prices achieved at this sale. This was the first time in our history that we have been forced to conduct a dispersal sale entirely online due to circumstances beyond our control. Over 150 people booked to view the sale at the two viewing days held on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th June which was orchestrated in accordance with social distancing guidelines. The number of bidders registered and the quantity and level of the bids received demonstrates that there is substantial demand for good quality kit both at home and abroad although overall the majority of kits was secured by domestic purchasers. The second-hand machinery trade appears stronger than pre-Covid with end-users and trade buyers absolutely determined to secure the best quality tractors and machinery and to pay accordingly. The results speak for themselves and exceeded both the client’s and our expectations.”

The star lot was the 2013 Quadtrac Case IH 450 rubber tracked tractor with fitted rear linkage and PTO, RTK ready with screen and Case 372 receiver and a total of 2,288 hours which was made an incredible £110,225.25.

A 2010 John Deere 7930 Autopower 40kph 4WD Tractor which made £90,562.50. Fitted with front suspension, Greenstar Ready and JD 1,150kg front weight on 650/85R38 Michelin Mach X Bib rear and 600/70R30 Michelin Mach X Bib front wheels and tyres. On farm from new and with 1,912 hours.

Other top lots included: the 2009 New Holland CX8080 straw walker Combine Harvester fitted with 2009 NH 24V 24ft cut header, Smartsteer, 2no. side knives, OSR header kit on 900/60R32 Michelin MegaXBib front and 540/65R30 Trelleborg TM800 rear wheels and tyres with just 1,630 engine hours and 1,432 drum hours made £83,576.25

The 2015 Househam AR3500 4wd 4ws Self Propelled Sprayer fitted with 24m hydraulic folding booms, Caterpillar engine, triple nozzles, with 1,532  hours fetched £80,988.75.

A 2002 JOHN DEERE 6920S PowerQuad 40kph 4wd Tractor fitted with front and cab suspension, PUH and JD 900kg front weight on 650/65R38 Trelleborg TM800 rear and 540/65R30 Trelleborg TM800 front wheels and tyres. On farm from new and with 3,202 hours fetched £42,176.25

Oliver adds: “While all of us, Cheffins and our clients, would obviously prefer to have a physical sale live on site, the results of this timed online auction clearly demonstrates that selling online can be an incredibly effective method of disposal. The sale had approximately 60,000 views online with the most popular item being the John Deere 7930 which clocked 2,051 views alone. The quality of the tractors and machinery on offer, the tenacity of the client, the ability to market this sale to a global database of purchasers and the sheer pragmatism of the global farming community were all significant factors in the success of this sale.

Until lockdown restrictions are further eased, timed online auctions will be the most appropriate method of sale for the second-hand machinery trade and on farm dispersal sales. We have a number of other timed online auctions coming hard and fast on the heels of this one, including one at Sandy in Bedfordshire and Harlton in Cambridgeshire which includes tractors, combine harvester, self-propelled sprayer and one for land drainage contractors equipment. Both of these sales close on 22nd June.”