Family Created Its Own "Museum Of Molines"

Family Created Its Own "Museum Of Molines" TRACTORS Antiques 23-2-22 Lloyd Monroe and his son Kale of Castalia, Iowa, have put together one of the most unusual collections of Minneapolis Moline tractors and equipment to be found anywhere. The men enjoy their collection so much they decided to share it with the public by opening what they call the "Museum of Molines". It's open free of charge to anyone who wants to visit. They own 30 antique tractors, with 24 of them in working condition. The others are in the process of being overhauled and painted. The collection includes tractors and implements from the Minneapolis Moline Company, as well as from the companies which merged to form it such as the Moline Plow Co., Twin City, Minneapolis, Minneapolis Threshing Co., and Avery. One of the most unusual tractors in the collection is a 1930 Minneapolis Moline model 3957. "It was one of the biggest tractors built that year and was popular with road construction crews and big wheat growers. However, not many of these tractors were used in row crop country," says Lloyd, who estimates there are only about 10 of these tractors left in the U.S. He found his in a museum in Indiana. The collection also includes a Moline planter, baler, plow, and manure spreader. Why do they collect Molines? Because that's what the Monroes have always farmed with. Lloyd started farming with Minneapolis Molines when he came home from the service in the 1940's. In 1980 they began collecting. The first tractor in their collection was a Model KT which they purchased in 1980. They've found other tractors for their collection in Iowa, Ohio and Indiana. One part of the museum includes a collection of antique cars and pickups. If you want to visit the museum, call ahead to let the Monroes know you're coming. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lloyd Monroe, RR 1, Castalia, Iowa 52133 (ph 319 567-8344).

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