The tractor, which was dragged from the sand in two sections, had still not been claimed, but the Otago Regional Council would be following up on calls from the public regarding the identity of the owner, council senior environmental officer Richard Lord said.
It appeared someone had attempted to remove the tractor but when the front end broke off, had given up, he said.
Leaving the tractor there risked polluting the beach with diesel and oil and the council would be seeking the cost of recovery.
"It is pretty irresponsible to walk away and think you can get away with it."
As the tractor had not been claimed, Lucas Vorgers, on behalf of the Otago Harbour Recreation Trust, had offered to take it, in the hope it could be used for parts to repair the trust's ailing tractor.
