[AT] When did you start collecting old tractors?

[Greg Whittaker]

  Growing up we had and still have a '69 180 MF, a '37 A JD, and an 8N with 
a Wagner loader and a Sherman backhoe.  We added a 42 JD B and a 41 H 
Farmall while I was still in school.
  My other grandfather farmed with IH stuff.  He had an H, a W6, BN, F-12 
and later bought Uncle Russel's 300 Farmall from the estate.  He also had a 
Corley #5 sawmill powered with a MM G403 power unit.  After my other grandpa 
passed away Grandpa Bob helped me rebuild our '41 H which got me really 
interested in old iron.  After he retired he added a couple Hs and built one 
from the two.  He also won an AC G in a raffle.  When he passed away Grandma 
gave me the machines.
  My Dad and I have continued to add to our collection.  There are 105 or 6 
total tractors around here now.  Over half of them run and the rest are 
pretty well split between restorable and parts tractors.  Most are IH and 
range in size from Cubs up to a W-9 gas and 706D and range in age from a 28 
Regular up to the 706 which has a four digit serial number.There's a C and a 
240 Farmall with three digit numbers.  There are a fair number of Cases 
including unstyled overhead steering RCs and a Sunburst Grill RC, VACs, SC, 
Ds of several variations, LAs and a 400 diesel.  A 77 and an old style 88 
Oliver represent that brand.  There's two AC Gs, several Bs and Cs, a CA, 
WCs, and a WD.  JD Green is covered by the '37 A and 42 B plus an MC 
crawler, 2010 RC and a couple other Bs.  There's a Cockshutt 40, 30 and a 
Co-Op 30.  Last spring we picked up a MM G-VI from the estate of a local 
farmer we knew well.  He bought it new.  There's also a Ferguson 40 wide 
front row crop like my Grandpa Whittaker used to have and I bought my wife's 
Grandfather's MF 50 from her uncle a couple years ago for my sons.  They've 
got tractors from three of their Great Grandfathers.
  We've hauled old iron home from most of the Mid West.  We've been to 
Medicine Hat Alberta twice.  Once to pick up a '53 MM GTB and the 2nd time a 
Case LA.  We've been to the Arkansas Ozarks for a 200 Farmall and a Cub and 
last fall hauled home another Corley #5 sawmill from the Mo, Ozarks.  We've 
got to go back in the spring for the Cat D-13000 power unit and the mill 
husk.  The hobby can get out of control but my wife and mother both agree 
that Dad and I could spend $$$$ in much less productive ways.

Greg Whittaker
Wolverine,Mi.