Used tractors and other pieces of John Deere farm equipment have been a passion of Irvin Wildhagen since he returned from serving in the Navy around 60 years ago.
According to a report from Illinois newspaper The Telegraph, Wildhagen's father purchased a John Deere tractor while he and his brothers were away performing military service. Once he got back, he fell in love with the green-and-gold machines.
That love has turned into a used tractor collection that amounts to about 57 pieces of farm equipment. Wildhagen often finds and restores the pieces, which he features during area celebrations.
"I’ve got a bunch up at the farm yet that have never been touched," Wildhagen told the paper.
Wildhagen has a number of older pieces, including the John Deere Model D produced the same year he was born. Other machines in his collection include a 1927 Model D that features a solid flywheel and a truck built by the company in 1953.
John Deere also celebrates its history of producing tractors and pieces of farm equipment through museums it maintains. A new one is slated to open in Waterloo, Iowa, next year.
John Deere used tractors featured in Illinois collection
An Illinois man has been repairing older John Deere tractors for years.