Every tractor tells a tale, and while traveling the country, Machinery Pete encounters numerous machinery stories. Greg Peterson visits enthusiast’s collections, farm equipment dealers and auctions, and the stories he gathers often strike a cord with his social media following. Here are four recent popular posts.
More Than Just a Tractor
Alan Conrad’s son Andrew wrote a college paper about how his dad found this John Deere 4455. It’s quite the story—one that includes the sister serial number and the South Carolina farmer who bought it.
A Man Ahead of His Time
In 2014, 92-year-old Carmen Start’s farm auction was featured on “Machinery Pete TV.” His 1975 International 1566 tractor with 450 hours sold for a record price of $45,000. Carmen passed away Dec. 21, 2016.
Lost and Found
Macon, Ill., farmer Paul Butler spent years searching for his grandfather’s Minneapolis Moline U tractor,
the first tractor he ever drove. After years, he found it at an auction 15 miles away. The restoration is now complete with grandpa’s handwriting still on the hood.
Auctioneering Legend Retires
On Jan. 14, 2017, 85-year-old Bill Gaule of Chatham, Ill., sold his last tractor at auction. I posted a YouTube video of Bill selling the 1964 John Deere 4020 diesel with 9,065 hours for $9,700. You could hear and feel the emotion as he cried out “Sold!” one final time.
