Tractor collecting is a passion for many. Whether they have three or 30, each one is important. Each one has a story behind it.

During interviews for my book THE BREAKUP of IH, one collector commented that this family’s entire social life and trips were tied to his tractor collection. Another said his closest friends are all collectors like himself.

My favorite interview was with a Tennessee collector. He had 19 tractors. I asked if he planned to get more. He asked that I hold on for a minute. When he came back on, he said he had walked outside so his wife wouldn’t hear his answer. He said “I’m not done yet. Never will be.”

Larry Eipers, a Morris, Ill., collector has 20 tractors in his collection. His Super M-TA is a legend. He won first in class at the 1966 Kankakee Fair pulling contest. He pulled with it again in 2016 and again won first in class. Same tractor, same owner, 50 years later.

Two huge collectors have sadly passed away. Jerry Mez had more 200 tractors in his Avoca, Iowa Farmland Museum. Stu Paquette had even more in his Historical Farmall Museum, Leesburg, Fl. Both locations have been closed and all equipment has been auctioned.

Collectors Associations are numerous in the farm equipment world. Some are listed below:

Eastern States Allis Chalmers Collectors Associationm, email - info@farmcollectorshowdirectory.com

The Allis-Connection, email barma@frontier.com

Minneapolis-Moline Collectors Club

Winter Show Feb. 23-25, 2023 Davenport, Iowa, MinneapolisMolineCollectorsClub.org

Ferguson Enthusiasts of North America, 2023 FENA Expo Sept. 7-10, email tannerroofconsul@comcast.net

Ford/Fordson Collectors Association Inc., email tedf73@gmail.com

International Harvester Collectors Club, National Winter Convention March 16-18, 2023, Roanoke, Va., 34th Annual Red Power Roundup June 15-17, 2023, Grand Island, Neb., www.nationalIHcollectors.com

J.I.Case Collectors Association Inc., Illinois Case Collectors Convention March 23-25, 2023, Mt. Vernon, Ill., Lanesville Heritage Weekend September 2023, www.jicasecollector.com

Classic Green Club Inc, Classic Green Reunion June 15-17, 2023, Lebanon, Tenn., www.classicgreen.org

International Cockshutt Club,  Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club Feb. 22-25, 2023, www.cockshutt.com

Massey Collectors Association, Massey Days Summer June 8-10, 2023, Alpena S.D., Massey Expo of North America Aug. 8-11, 2023, Valparaiso, Ind., www.masseycollectors.com

Hart-Parr Oliver Collectors Association, www.hartparroliver.org

International Rumely Products Collectors, Oklahoma Steam & Gas Engine Show May 5-7, 2023, Pawnee, Okla. This information was courtesy of Dave McManus, Editor, Farm Collector Magazine. He can be reached at mcmanus135@gmail.com.

New parts for old tractors

Forty years ago, the Steiner Company was formed to make new parts for old tractors, primarily for those manufactured between 1939 and 1964. Dan Steiner, president, explained that they now have more than 60 employees and make parts for AC, Case, Cockshutt, Deere, Massey Ferguson, Massey Harris, MM and Oliver-White. The company provides a 650-page catalog, all new parts for old tractors.

Here’s the “rest of the story.” Dan’s parents, founders of Steiner Company. are also tractor collectors. They have more than 400 in their collection.

Some collectors will go to great lengths to get their tractor restored. Dave Nelson restores under his company name Agri-Crafts in New Haven, Mo. He told me an Alberta, Canada, collector heard about his good work and delivered a Farmall MD 1700 miles for restoration. His email is agricrafts62@gmail.com.

Another busy restorer is Triple R Tractors, Bartelso, Ill. Owner Mike Links works with collectors from Alabama, South Dakota, New York and other states. He also provides parts for older equipment. His email is trick26@frontiernet.net.

George Glasscock’s restoration business is also in Illinois. His company, Glasscock Motors, does work for collectors nationwide, and he says this on his website: “We understand that it’s more than a tractor; it is symbol of our heritage, our way of life. Often it’s an heirloom, a cherished piece of family history.” His email is gglass57@hotmail.com.

Another great tractor collection went across the auction block this summer. Ken and Dick Huber, Oxford, Wis., dairy farmers, had accumulated 175 International tractors over many years, plus 50 other makes. Now retired, they brought in Aumann Auctions to sell the collection. They kept just one Farmall – one that they had farmed with for many years. Just couldn’t part with it.

Paul Wallem was raised on a dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH on domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See more of his books on PaulWallem.com.