Restoration Stories

Ray Haffner of Springfield, Missouri had his first encounter with a Farmall Cub when he was a young lad in his hometown of Pomeroy, Iowa. It was the late forties and he was at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa. He visited the International Harvester booth and there it sat the prettiest little red tractor he had ever seen. “I just admired the beautiful little red tractor,” said Ray.

Robert Warland of Fort Dodge, Iowa is currently the owner of his fathers 1936 John Deere A. In his story he recalls an earlier time when daily chores of man and animal were replaced by machine.
Robert’s father, Joseph W. Warland purchased the A new from the local John Deere dealership that was located in downtown Fort Dodge, Iowa at the time. Robert fully restored the A after he purchased it many years later. Robert’s son Joel wrote this tribute the family’s tractor.

Ode To My Grandather’s John Deere
By Joel Warland

When Curtis Henderson purchased his 1955 Oliver Super 77 from Tudor Farm Equipment in Zearing, Iowa he could have never guessed the affect it would have on his young son David. David Henderson of Colo, Iowa is the current owner of his fathers old tractor.

The Agricultural History Project located in Watsonville, California collects and restores local antique tractors. The group is made up of members with officers to oversee and assist in direction of the project. It has over 350 members and currently thirty tractors ranging from 1920 through 1965.

Paul Watral of Long Island, New York is a collector of rare and unusual antique farm tractors. His favorite are those with low serial numbers and very low production. In his collection of over 100 tractors several are one of a kind like this 1956 John Deere 60 Orchard.