[AT] 8020 Antique

[Gene Dotson]

    There are a few misstatements in this story. The 8020 was a follow on to 
the 8010 which was first produced in 1957 or 1958. I was privileged to see 
the first 8010 tractor in Ohio at 1958 Case Farm-O-Rama near Richwood, Ohio. 
The Walton-Case families were big farmers there and had close working 
relationship with John Deere Company and hosted this show for several years. 
Russell Case bought the 8010 and used it on the Walton-Case farms for 
several years. This tractor originally had a fully mounted 7 bottom 
moldboard plow that lifted completely off the ground when raised from the 
furrow. Russell's wife, Meriam, drove the tractor regularly and when turning 
at the end of the field, the plow extended quite a distance behind the 
tractor and swung directly behind the tractor. Meriam was known to misjudge 
the length behind her and destroyed a few telephone and electric poles. 
Fences were not a problem as the plow raised high enough to clear the 
fences. The 7 bottom mounted plow was  traded for a 6 bottom semi mounted 
plow for the second year.

    My good friend, Jim Gillfillian worked on the Walton-Case farm for 
several years. I have driven this tractor several times and ridden with Jim 
even more times. The tractor was upgraded to 8020 specs some time in the 
early 60's by John Deere. I don't know if the Walton family still has the 
tractor. They reduced their farming operation considerably in the early 
70's. This would certainly be a valuable tractor today.

                        Gene



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralph Goff" <alfg at sasktel.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 11:32 AM
Subject: [AT] 8020 Antique


> Ok, which one of you atis guys came up here to Sask. and paid $90,000 for 
> this JD 8020 4WD?
> http://www.mackauctioncompany.com/10-oct2.html
>
> If I'd known it was going to sell that cheap I'd have gone to the sale. 
> :-)
>
> By WILLIAM DEKAY, Saskatoon Newsroom
> October 14, 2010
> Bidding was intense on the ground and via the internet Oct. 2 for a rare 
> four-wheel drive John Deere 8020 tractor.
>
> In the end, an anonymous buyer bought the tractor for $90,000.
>
> The tractor is one of 74 out of only 100 manufactured. This particular 
> tractor has serial number 14 and created a stir in the agricultural world 
> because until now, it was not known what had become of it.
>
> Initially, auctioneer Norm Mack questioned whether he would handle the 
> sale when he went to inspect the farm machinery of Edmund Pranke.
>
> "His equipment was nothing special, but he took great pride in what he 
> had," says Mack.
>
> Then he saw the 8020 and knew it was something different.
>
> "We knew we had found a diamond in the rough. This was a special tractor," 
> he says.
>
> On a warm harvest day Oct. 2 the sale attracted almost 300 bidders and as 
> many spectators, many travelling from the U.S.
>
> "The night before, when we pulled in, there were cars already there. Every 
> Midwest state that farms was already there," said Mack.
>
> "Going over this tractor, they were almost in awe that this tractor would 
> be in Saskatchewan. A lot of people travelled hours, even days just to see 
> this tractor with no intention of buying or even bidding, but just to come 
> and see."
>
> John Deere's 8020 was built between 1961 and 1963 with a price tag of 
> $32,000.
>
> "It was a tremendous amount of money in the early '60s. Therefore demand 
> was low," said Mack.
>
> It was the first four-wheel drive articulated tractor produced by a major 
> manufacturer. Mack says all future four-wheel drive tractors were based on 
> the 8020, even the new ones today.
>
> "It was ahead of its time," he said. The 8020 also boasted a Detroit 
> diesel engine commonly called a Screaming Jimmy. "You could hear them 
> coming a mile away," said Mack.
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Ralph in Sask.
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at