Innehållsförteckning för APRIL/MAY 2025 från Farm Collector

Gene Hart is a latent collector with a focus on the iconic green tractor line. Although Gene grew up around John Deere tractors, he started collecting them later in life. He explained that progression: “As a youngster, I remember our neighbor having a John Deere Model G tractor. I thought it would be great to own one someday. “After Dad retired, he began acquiring John Deere tractors,” he continued. “Over time, he collected seven, including Model As, Model Bs, and one Model 50. With his mechanical ability, Dad took the tractors apart. He then repaired them as necessary and repainted them to be respectable show tractors. “Dad loved the John Deere equipment line, and that interest has spilled over onto me. In reality, I wanted a John Deere collection so…

Collecting, preserving, and using vintage farm machinery unites members of the Nebraska Antique Farming Association (NAFA, www.AntiqueFarming.org). Established in November 2011 with 10 members, the group now works to raise awareness of Nebraska’s agricultural heritage by promoting demonstrations, exhibits, and tractor drives such as their upcoming June 2025 “Tractor Relay Across Nebraska.” Typically, 35 to 40 riders participate in the annual event. Relay Coordinator Donelle Moormeier said the group’s annual relay events began in June 2012. “For the first relay, which was a nine-day event, participants wrote letters to themselves, which we carried as we followed the segment of the Pony Express trail that winds through Nebraska for nine days,” Moormeier said. “It was designed for riders to go as few or as many days as they wanted.” The Pony Express…

Have you ever heard the name, “DeLaVergne” before? Hmmm, probably didn’t think so! No, I’m not confusing that name with Delaval, whose equipment is probably used by many of our readers. They built centrifuges for cream separating, as well as other dairy products. They could make a great topic for an article. But this month we will take a peek into the heavy industry that DeLaVergne built. By 1890, DeLaVergne was a huge firm, located in New York City, manufacturing steam driven ammonia compressors for refrigeration. They proudly stated their location was at the foot of East 138 Street. These engines were used in breweries, ice plants, cold storage facilities and multiple other locations that refrigeration was needed. This all worked very well, but soon there was a cheaper way.…

The invention of the wheel is probably one of the most monumental achievements in human history. Wheels developed an efficient form of transportation for humankind. With the invention of carts and chariots, wheels have changed the course of farming, and they have provided labor-saving tools, such as wheelbarrows and handcarts. The wheel was also vital to the pottery and milling industries. Wheels in the form of pulleys, cogs, and gears have led to all manner of other inventions that have shaped the modern world. The earliest cart wheels were likely made from round sections of tree trunks, but these would have been heavy and cumbersome and insufficient for long distances. Experts think that, from around 5000 BCE, people were making wheels from three shaped planks of wood, but these sectional…

Perkins Wind Mill Co. was a prominent enterprise that began operating in 1869 in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was founded by Palmer C. (P.C.) Perkins from New York, where he learned blacksmithing and ax making. He developed and manufactured a line of windmills that were attractive and of good quality. Palmer bought the Bement Ax Factory, which had sat empty for five years. The Perkins buildings in Mishawaka were eventually on both sides of Bridge Street. With his twin brother, Pardon Joshua Perkins, and four other partners, a company was formed on July 14, 1873, with capital of $4,000. Palmer and Pardon passed away in 1895 and 1896, respectively, with six Perkins brothers surviving. Manuel M. Fisher, age 48, had worked his way up in the company since its founding in…

Mike Orr of rural South Haven, Minnesota, loves collecting old farm machinery acquired at auctions. He has set some up at the end of his half-mile driveway where many people often stop to take pictures, and kids exclaim, “Mommy, mommy, look at the Tyrannosaurus rex!” That is, a Tyrannosaurus rex that Mike created out of old farm machinery parts: the head, the hood of an IH lawn mower, thighs of inverted milk cans, the tail of handsaw blades, and so on. That is to say, one of 18 sculptures presently created for the end of his driveway. The ears of his elephant family are old Farmall and Ford tractor fenders. “The snouts are dump rake parts, and the bodies are 50-gallon fuel tanks.” His five bison have heads made from…

Illinois Heritage Days 2025 is July 25-27 in Greenville, Illinois! The American Farm Heritage Museum is featuring WD and WD-45 Allis Chalmers tractors and Upright/Vertical Gas Engine. Displays/exhibitors of all brands are always welcome. Demonstration areas include sawmilling, rock crushing, threshing, hay pressing, plowing, combining, grain grinding and shingle making. There will also be tractor pulls, the Lil Red Barn, Hill’s Fort, a military display, one mile train rides, Sunday car show/cruise, craft/flea market vendors, food, music and much more for the whole family. Huge air-conditioned building. Camping/showers available and hotels nearby. Check-out www.americanfarmheritagemuseum.com or follow us on Facebook. Funded in part by Greenville Tourism, Discover Downstate Illinois and the Illinois Office of Tourism. See our ad in the Show Directory on page 176. 54th Annual Sandwich Early Day Engine…