Boomgarden

Why I Hate Fordson Tractors

There is one tractor many early tractor collectors hate. Or maybe it’s just me? The Fordson. Why do I hate these tractors? Why does anyone hate anything? Because it has done you wrong or you believe it has done you wrong. So even though I don’t want to, here’s some brief history on the Fordson.

El Diablo, A Classic Tractor With A Dark Secret

I thought since it’s Halloween, I’d share a story I heard a few years ago from someone who claimed it happened. There was nothing sinister about International Harvester’s 666 tractor when it was released in 1972. It was simply the next logical number sequence in the 60 series line. It’s doubtful the engineers gave it

An Auction Trip Unlike Any Other

The temperature was 88 degrees Fahrenheit when we arrived in Ripon, California, but by the time we left 5 days later it reached a blistering 108 degrees. We were in Ripon to meet with the Baker family who are selling their family collection with Aumann Auctions. The goal of the trip was to move, sort

Not Your Average Avery Steam Engine

I recently had the pleasure to tour the Virgil and Phylis Litke Collection near Marion, Kansas. Virgil and Phyllis were married 71 years and it was as much her hobby as it was his. As their children said, it was something that brought them closer together. Virgil and Phyllis passed away in 2019 leaving behind

Family Passes Father’s Life-Long Collection To Others

Earlier this year I traveled to Kansas near the small town of Marion to meet siblings Glen and Brenda Litke. Both of their parents Virgil and Phyllis recently passed away leaving behind a collection that took a lifetime to accumulate. Virgil Litke was one of the true pioneer collectors of the tractor hobby. As a

Nothing Like It! A Look Inside The Gray Tractor Factory

A Unique Design The Gray was built by the Gray Tractor Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Development of the tractors started around 1908, but probably went on the market around 1914. Company advertising shows the tractor stayed into production till about 1933. The Gray Tractor with its single wide rear drive “drum” is one of the

The Top Five Most Expensive Antique Engines

The internal combustion engine had its beginning around 1860 when Lenoir created the first commercially successful model. What we know as the first modern internal combustion engine was created by Nicolaus Otto in 1876. Over the next decades thousands of manufacturers tried to break into the engine market. The results were mixed with some rather

Controversy Still Surrounds Rare Tractor – Sells For $194,250

A rare antique tractor built by the International Harvester Company recently sold on the 2021 Pre-30 Auction Conducted by Aumann Auctions Inc. International Harvester only built 273 of these 20 horsepower Type D Titans from 1910 to 1914. Only five complete tractors are still known to exist. The tractor was originally shipped from the factory

Why Is This Early 1900s Engine So Sought After By Collectors?

At the top of most antique engine collector’s wish list is the Type A engine built by the Springfield Gas Engine Company of Springfield, Ohio. The reason why is instantly realized the moment you lay eyes on it as the engine design is among the most unusual ever built. One lucky collector bought this restored

International Controversy Surrounds A Rare Piece Of Agricultural History!

You’ve probably already noticed if you’re a collector or enthusiast of early International Harvester tractors that there’s a rare 1912 International Harvester Type D Titan 20 horsepower tractor selling on the upcoming April 24 Pre-30 Auction conducted by Aumann Vintage Power. International Harvester only built 273 of these 20 horsepower Type D Titans from 1910

The Most Traveled Antique Tractor In History!

If there was a Guinness World Record for the most traveled antique tractor, it would go to this Emerson-Brantingham Big 4-20. The tractor is currently owned by Wilfred Mole, but soon it will change hands on the upcoming Annual Pre-30 Auction on April 24, 2021 conducted by Aumann Auctions. The tractor has traveled the world

The Top 5 John Deere D Variations Collectors Want!

John Deere purchased the Waterloo Boy Company in 1918 and with it the Waterloo Boy Tractor. Deere continued to build the Waterloo Model N until about 1923 when they introduced their newly designed Model D. The D was a total redesign for the company, but did keep a two cylinder engine. The Model D has

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