OMAHA (DTN) -- A couple of months back I wrote about the upcoming auction that Kinze founder Jon Kinzenbaw was going to have in early November. The online auction, which featured 150 vintage tractors, was to sell a portion of his massive tractor collection.

Then in mid-November, I reported on some of the results I had seen online from the auction. I wrote at the end of the column if anyone had bought a tractor on the sale, to please contact me.

I really didn't think anyone would respond, but two people emailed and told me about their purchases that day.

The first email was from Nathan Grove, and he said he bought a 1972 John Deere 4020 power shift tractor on the sale for $33,500. That was the entire email.

Then Bob Hennen emailed me this:

"On the Kinze sale, I bought four (tractors). When I saw he was having a sale, I knew I had to buy something!

"That ridiculously expensive (John Deere) 4020 with the 38" rear tires and power shift and great paint job? I paid $36,000. Yea, got a tad bit carried away with that one. Someone from Nebraska wanted it almost as bad as I did!

"I simply asked Gary (the head mechanic of Jon's collection) which was the best one and he thought that one was or the one that sold for $33,000. That other one had more weights and less hours and a newer engine, but 34" rubber and I just simply did not like it as well.

"It also sold first and I thought the one I got would be cheaper! But in the end, it cost more! I just really wanted a power shift 4020 from Jon's auction.

"Then the two JD 4000. The one with the roll guard has low hours and is nice and according to Gary sat on a shelf for the past 20 some years. The other one is a custom low profile that brought less money and is a cool tractor. I can run it under trees to mow some grass hay.

"And that German John Deere 3120 with a French diesel motor. It's just got a lot of cool factor and a two-speed shift-on-the-go option with some big rubber on the back.

"I was tempted by some others, like that very nice Alice Chalmers G. And I actually bid $30,000 on that one and only Massey Ferguson (there was Massey Harris also, and maybe a Ferguson... but no other Massey Ferguson).

"I thought that MF 1130 would have been great with a mounted roll over plow and a full stack of weights on the front. I'd never actually seen a narrow front 1100 series in person before. My brother and I did get to drive it!

"I hope Jon decides to have another sale and sells some of his repowered tractors. I'll be bidding if he does. I'm kinda feeling like I need a 4020 with a 6-71 Detroit engine!"

A big thanks to Bob for his email about his purchases on the auction. I appreciate his complete openness about what he bought, how much he paid and why he bought them.

In an email back to him, I asked what his plans were for the tractors. He mentioned something in the first email about mowing hay with one of the tractors he bought on the auction. I was curious if he would use these tractors to farm with.

This was his response:

"I will use those tractors for some farming and to just enjoy owning. I tend towards using the older tractors for parades, tractor rides, and even tractor pulls.

"I have mostly two-cylinder John Deere tractors but I also enjoy using those to farm with as well. They work well for seeding hay and to pull a small hay tender and rake."

Again, a big thanks to Bob for what he plans to use his four tractors from the auction on. It is nice to see he will be using his purchases some on his farm.

This is completely my opinion here, but I have always thought it is better to be able to still use vintage iron. I know that's not why some people collect vintage iron, but in my view, being able to use them occasionally on the farm is better than just having them sit.

Happy Holidays!

Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com

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