Really is a small world we live in. Particularly when it comes to tractor stories.
Back in December 2015 I had the opportunity to visit and film an amazing private tour of the Tom Renner tractor and farm implement collection in Belleville, IL. Actually “amazing” does not do Tom’s collection justice. If I recall correctly we walked through 4 very large immaculate shed facilities, each beautifully displaying a variety of our American agriculture history.
And Tom’s tractors....wow.
Perhaps Tom Renner is best known for his outstanding John Deere 4WD Tractor collection, which includes rare WA-14 and WA-17 models, along with an outstanding 8020 complete with 8-bottom plow. Here’s link to my one hour plus video walk through of the Renner collection with Tom and son Jake telling us the stories behind the tractors...the John Deere 8020 is featured at the 7:45 mark, click to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rl8PVcQCi8&t=460s
As I said, small world we live in. Thursday I was speaking at the 2018 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days show in Marshfield, WI. I met Michael Koepke of Edgar, WI. Michael showed me a picture on his cell phone of this very John Deere 8020 and 8-bottom plow which his father Neal Koepke owned and sold to Tom Renner back in 2014. Here’s the picture:
“Dad purchased the tractor from John Mowrey in Milford, IL in 2001,” Michael Koepke said. “It was one of only two sold east of the Mississippi River with a 3 point. It sold new in Mississippi.” Deere only made approx. 100 of the 8020 models.
So fun to know the back story/history on tractors like this. Kind of like the stories we tell about our parents, grandparents or our own children, don’t you think? And as I’ve been saying for years now, when it comes to selling your equipment, particularly your used tractors and combines...very valuable to present as much oral, written and VISUAL history as you can to prospective buyers. The new frontier going forward when it comes to selling your tractor or equipment will be VIDEO history. Show that prospective buyer your tractor in action on your farm. Here’s video of this John Deere 8020 plowing with that 8-bottom plow, Jake Renner at the wheel:
And on the topic of small world, that 8020 was sold the Koepke’s in Wisconsin by John Mowrey of Milford, IL. Just so happens that Mowrey Auction has a big auction this Wednesday (July 18, 2018) in Milford, IL with a great line up of late model Combines and Tractors selling, here’s a link to the sale info: https://mowreyauction.com/2018/07/06/july-18th-flyer-click-to-view/
