What or who is a tractor collector?

NY 986

Well-known Member
The varying opinions about JD Seller's 1466 got me thinking as to how we view what a collector is. Some seem to think the age of a tractor plays into it as though if a tractor is of a certain vintage or newer then it is not desired by a collector. If an owner buys a tractor to use vary sparingly such as a couple of hours a year does that mean the tractor was not bought to collect even though it is seldom practical to own a tractor for such limited use? My life's limited experience has shown me that there are tractors out there owned by people just for the sake of owning it and if it never gets to a show then no loss. I know of more than one JD 4440 that is kept on those terms. I know of tractors that have not been to shows in a couple of decades so even though somebody has collected it a person who is under age 25 probably has never seen any of those tractors at a show.
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Being a tractor collector doesn't require collecting a specific brand or type of tractor. Everyone has their own reasons for owning what they own, and that's ok. I don't see why a collector has to start with an antique or classic to be considered a collector.
 
The Mennonite that I get my seed corn from put it the best way I've ever heard it. He's fond of crawlers and has more than he really needs. He said "If you buy something because you want it,not because you need it,that makes you a collector".
 
True enough and I should say that a couple of the 4440's I know of very seldom come out of the shed on very active sizable farms. Those 4440's are very low houred to boot. Probably on par with JD's 1466 or even less.
 
I have a pretty good size group of tractors most I use sometimes or the other,got tired of the show thing about 15 years ago sold some some of my older rare tractors,no desire to take
any I have now anywhere to a show.
 
I own 4 acres of land -have 12 tractors and the only implements I have is a finishing mower and a scraper blade. I just built a $25.000 building to keep them in. I have never been to but one tractor show and my 8N won best of show. I don't know if I am a collector or just have a really bad habit that I can't break. My oldest tractor is a 1950 model and my newest is a 1980. I really don't have any desire or need for anything newer. But I never seem to turn down a good deal on an old one.
 
Agree with both RR and Drussel. At Junkshow we see a vast array of exhibits. Some are one of a kind and some are not. Some are shiny and restored and some come in work clothes. Some were bought and paid to restore and some are simple family hand me downs. Each case is a varying degree of this sickness and a simple engine that has been passed through the family is likely to have as much meaning to a young novice collector as a rare piece is to a seasoned collector.

My sweetheart tells me I'm a collector because I've got 2 of everything and they're all heavy. I do have 3 pairs of shoes though. Whereas she has many pairs, but that doesn't make her a collector.
 
I own 2 Oliver 1950 FWA tractors that I saved from the scrap man.Not worth what it will cost to restore them.My late father used them and kept them running until he retired,then my uncle abused them and they were "junked" a year later.They sit along my tree line now to be restored later.dont really need them but it's a sentimental thing I guess
 
Oliver (or probably any) older FWA tractors are always worth saving, IHHO. At worst, they may provide some scarce parts for someone in the future.
 
So what advantage is there to an owner of a tractor to take it to a show ? Down sides of Fuel costs ,risk of damage hauling mainly as the roads are DANGEROUS. Sitting out in BAD weather. It rains at most shows in Ohio. I quit hauling mine all over.
Nothing wrong with having a tractor and not running it many hours. We have a JD 4020 with a loader at Dad's place used to have 14 acres. It sees limited VERY limited use now. I have a JD 5105 with a loader at my place 3 acres. It does not see much use either. But if the need arises to lift something heavy or move some dirt we can easily do it with these machines. If I could afford a 4440 I'd put the loader on it as a cab would be nice in bad weather.
 
Mike,
I'm with you. I have no show girls and don't care to haul them so someone can look at it.

I have 4 tractors and they are all dirty working girls. Use them all the time and if needed thought I needed another one, I would buy it. I'm not a collector, I'm a user.
geo
 
I have a number of tractors and do it because I have all ways liked tractors and now being retired I can play with them. I go to pulls and shows and meet older guys that have the same likes and have a good time. Most of the older guys the working on and showing tractor is what keeps them alive( gives them something to do). I have been retired 7 years and have d0ne 2 1/2 tractors and 8 to still restore if I have enough time left to do them. .
a169262.jpg

a169263.jpg

a169264.jpg
 
In Britain collectors of old tractors are often referred to as :-

The Nut on top of the steering wheel !!!
 
I guess the definition depends on who you ask. My definition of a collector is someone who buys a tractor, or anything, for personal pleasure. They may or may not use it. I don't collect any piece of machinery that don't have a use. It has to pay it own way.
I guess I collect pounds. I add pounds to my collection nearly every holiday. Sometimes I lose a few but I quickly replace them :D
 
Tractor collecting is a hobby that you get enjoyment from.
Everyone should have a hobby.

2126.jpg

2127.jpg


The 1951 Farmall Cub was purchased in 1996 for mowing and other duties on our 7 acres.
The 1950 John Deere A was purchased from an uncle in 2011 for something to tinker on.
The 1940 and 1943 Farmall H's and the 1950 Case VAI were my fathers. I inherited them.
None of them see a lot of work. Mostly mowing duties for the Cub and H's. The Case gets taken to 3 local shows a year. The H's get taken to one.
I would like to own a Farmall 400 because it was the first tractor I got to drive while working on a farm as a kid.

Rodney 8)
 
I might be a tractor if you count the forty setting all types of conditions. Dixie says I am a junk collector and my lawyer said if I kick the bucket before Dixie one of the first things he is going to do for Dixie is call a scrapper.
A sample!
Tractorsinyard81003pic1-vi.jpg


Olivercletrac-vi.jpg


10-20rightside-vi.jpg


CAcloseup-vi.jpg


CAcloseup-vi.jpg
 
The F20 is not quit done yet. I bought a rebuilt carb and didn't like it. I have found the parts for old carb. and have to put it on tractor and paint wheels and new rubber on front.
a169293.jpg

a169294.jpg

a169295.jpg
 
We take our " dirty working" tractors to shows ,what ever implement is on em goes too. No bath first ( for tractors) folks love to stop and talk about old tractors still working. Amazing the stories you hear
 
well my view is if you have more than what you need to farm and they are running then you are a collector, I never had one to a show yet would like to but to busy it seems. if you enjoy your tractors then that's all that counts, I have 10 tractors ih, case and caseih and looking for more.
a169297.jpg
 
Family tractor since new, I guess I'm a saver.
<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto2163.jpg"/>
 
My wife said she feels like a tractor-widow, so that might make me a tractor collector. Maybe more of a lover than a collector since I only have two.
 
One man's trash is another man's treasure. I have been accused of being a "junk collector" since I have a slightly greater number of tractor that do not run, versus those that do run. Now, if you talk about capable of running, then that changes things a bit. I have two restored and running, one capable of running, and three in need of a lot of work with one in progress. I was told that I need to start getting more restored and running before I buy any more. I got one running two years ago (it was completely torn apart), but I have not purchased another one to replace it......................yet.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top