525 tractors in the Kellers Collection WISCONSIN

Watching the Kellers from Wisconsin on RFDTV.

They have 525 tractors---many are very rare.

Just curious as what they do too make their funds--are they farmers. This is a very expensive hobby.

I'm watching it also, and have the same question. I would rather see the MMs other than the yellow wheeled ones. The Gibsons were neat. I have a neighbor who has one of the little gray one.< The County was neat, got a friend that has acollection of the all wheel drives. and they were somewhat common around here.br>Loren, the Acg.

525 tractors, can"t imagine that. That would be expensive to keep all those going. WoW

Weren't they a dealer at one time? Maybe still are?

Len up at Clare--they not only have a lot of tractors---many are the first ones produced in the serial number order.

Ya,I've seen that show a couple of times. Said they weren't really looking for first serial tractors,but they came to them. I'm thinking if they're dealers,a lot of'em came as trade ins.

Think they're in construction business

Pole Barns and buildings . Go figure they have to have them.

They were a John Deere dealer years ago.

Missed the show, but maybe they'll re-run it. 525 tractors would make about a 10 hour program.

I live about 5 minutes from thier collection- they were a very large John Deere dealer back in the day. Not sure when they closed, but there are some 80's vintage equipment with thier stickers on them yet. They held a show probably 15 years ago, and I went with my Dad and one of my brothers. They have a very impressive collection. Some Deeres were red, blue, yellow, orange, - whatever they were ordered from the factory for different public works customers.

I also grew up across the road from the construction business. I *think* it's a son of the original Keller that started the construction business. They did some work on our barn back in the early 70's when the hay mow floor collapsed on one side(before I was even a glimmer in my parents eyes). They are one of the largest contractors in the area, and they don't do just pole buildings. They do everything, but mainly comercial.

I want to say the company celebrated it's 50th anniversary in the last 2 or 3 years.

Donovan from Wisconsin

good info. Don--always enjoy your writing.

I used to live a couple miles from them, sold them one of my tractors that they needed for their collection.

Hello;; We have been to Walter's and Bruce's twice. Once in 2009 and Walter gave us a personal tour. I had my MM hat on, and he asked,If I liked MM's. I said, yes, we still farm with some. Well, There are some in this shed, even military! Right in front, was a WW2 MM half track!! With 38'' rear tractor tires, instead of tracks. It is, or might be the only one in the USA. very rare! 800cu. gas engine. There was a UDLX sitting next to it.......But 30' away were 2 UDLX's...CABLESS, one was a military tractor. The 2nd time (2010) was for Walter's 80th birthday party. We had seen Walter and Bruce at the big tractor swap meet in Mn in April. We were looking for a LA JD to add to our collection. Walter said he had a LA, with the tag on it, that he would be willing to sell, so I bought it sight unseen! Then, he said, here's a invite to my birthday party, so you can pick up the LA at that time. These are the most trusting and honest people we have ever met. We drove our motorhome over there,pulling our trailer. Not only did he he have a place for us to park and camp, he let us use his new Chev diesel PU, to get around while we were there! I'll see if I an post a couple of pics! Bobmn

I believe Don Dufner in North Dakota has more than 525.

Hello;; We have been to Walter's and Bruce's twice. Once in 2009 and Walter gave us a personal tour. I had my MM hat on, and he asked,If I liked MM's. I said, yes, we still farm with some. Well, There are some in this shed, even military! Right in front, was a WW2 MM half track!! With 38'' rear tractor tires, instead of tracks. It is, or might be the only one in the USA. very rare! 800cu. gas engine. There was a UDLX sitting next to it.......But 30' away were 2 UDLX's...CABLESS, one was a military tractor. The 2nd time (2010) was for Walter's 80th birthday party. We had seen Walter and Bruce at the big tractor swap meet in Mn in April. We were looking for a LA JD to add to our collection. Walter said he had a LA, with the tag on it, that he would be willing to sell, so I bought it sight unseen! Then, he said, here's a invite to my birthday party, so you can pick up the LA at that time. These are the most trusting and honest people we have ever met. We drove our motorhome over there,pulling our trailer. Not only did he he have a place for us to park and camp, he let us use his new Chev diesel PU, to get around while we were there! I'll see if I an post a couple of pics! Bobmn

From what I know Walter and I think some of his family ran a JD dealership at one time. Walter started Keller construction I think sometime in the 60"s. He sold that to the employees in the 80"s but he still is on the board. I think the number of tractors he has is much more than the 500 number.
I met Bruce in the 70"s and he worked for the construction co. from then to the present.
This info is from what I remember so I hope it is fairly accurate.

We sold Walter a low production M-M a long time ago. Neither he or I really knew what a fair price would be. We had a very friendly "haggle" sesion on the phone for several months. We agreeded to a price that we both felt comfortable with. Done deal. We would deal with him again as he is a very honest tractor collector. clint

For those that don't know:

Lookie Here

More vids of Keller' Collecton on that page also.

Noah W