How do I prepare my orchard’s equipment list and maintenance records for a buyer?

Walk the shed and the yard with a notebook. For each item, record what it is, roughly how old, who made it, where it is kept and whether it runs today. Group the list by job: tractors and sprayers, harvest gear, irrigation, packing area, and small tools. Photographs on the same sheet save the buyer a trip.

Then attach the proof. Gather service invoices, repair notes, oil and filter logs and any operator manuals you still have. If records are missing, say so plainly rather than rebuilding them from memory. A short note beside each major machine, such as what it was last fixed for and what is likely next, is worth more than a polished binder.

Be clear on ownership. Mark anything leased, under a financing agreement or borrowed from a neighbour, and say what happens to it on a sale. Items that are personal rather than business belong on their own list. Finally, be ready for a buyer to have a mechanic look at the main machines. Your lawyer can advise on how equipment is described in the sale agreement.

Key takeaways

• List each machine with age, condition, ownership and where it is kept.
• Attach service invoices and manuals, and admit plainly what is missing.
• Separate leased, financed and personal items from what the sale includes.
• Expect a buyer’s mechanic to inspect the main machines, and leave them accessible.