Where Do Old Tractors Go When They Die?

Reader Contribution by Lois Hoffman
Published on September 11, 2014
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It’s time for the 7th annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing. We have been up for this event a couple of times and it really is something to see. Last year’s parade saw 907 tractors go over the bridge in approximately 3 1/2 hours. Many were restored and others came straight from the field, sporting rust and all.

What is it about rusted old iron that is so appealing? For many, it brings a sense of nostalgia for a way of life that has passed and for others there is a sentimental attraction. So, I began to wonder as to what does happen to old tractors when they die.

A whopping 75 percent of tractors past their prime are collected and usually restored. The general rule of thumb is any tractor over 25 years old is considered an antique. The other 25 percent go to museums or are broken down for parts.

The oldest gasoline tractor in the United States is displayed in the State Agricultural Museum at the Stonefield Historic Site in Cassville, Wisconsin, a charming little town in the state’s far southwest corner. The tractor is a one-of-a-kind McCormick Auto Mower and is estimated to have been built in 1899. We had a chance to tour the museum a few years ago and I can safely say that modern-day tractors have come a long way. The McCormick didn’t look like any tractor I had ever seen!

Another rare piece at the museum is the Allis Chalmers Model U Tractor, the first farm tractor with factory installed rubber tires. When you want a break from seeing vintage farm equipment, you can wander through Stonefield’s re-created 1900 rural farming village.

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