Rare Tractors Bringing Record Prices

Rare Tractors Bringing Record Prices TRACTORS Antiques Rare antique tractors are bringing world record prices this year Recently a 1912 International Harvester Mogul Jr 15-25 sold for $462 000 A 1924 Deere 26-in Spoke Model D tripled the previous price for the model selling for $225 000     “We broke our own previous world record high price for a rare tractor which was a 3060 Case that sold for $420 000 a few years ago ” says Kurt Aumann Aumann Auctions     Aumann is a leader in rare tractor auctions doing around 30 a year with tractors or tractor-related equipment A visit to the company website links to past auctions like the Lake Side Farms auction It included the Mogul as well as the Deere Spoke and 112 other items from old magnetos to stationary and portable engines     An auction held earlier this summer was called Field of Dreams The Nebraska estate auction included 193 old tractors parts of tractors cars trucks grain binders threshing machines and more The former owner had started collecting the equipment in the mid 1950’s storing most of it in an open field The most expensive item out there was a Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co 22-44 3644 It sold for $75 000 unrestored and missing its radiator     A frame and a set of wheels for a tractor built in Nebraska in the 1910’s sold for $17 500 Aumann estimated restoration would run into 6 figures as it would require fabricating parts no longer available     All Aumann auctions are simulcast online so people elsewhere can bid on items at the auction A growing number are online only such as the recent Paul Hale Collection of 41 tractors It included not one but two rare Minneapolis Moline UDLX’s the first cab tractor Bidders and others could watch from day to day as bids increased One UDLX brought $155 000 and the other $90 000     “Online auctions are a great tool for sellers who are in an out-of-the-way place or for several people when none have enough items for an auction of their own and don’t want to have to move their tractors to a central site ” explains Aumann “With online auctions we get more international buyers They don’t have to pack up and go to an auction in a far away place The international arena is a growth area not just for antiques but newer farm equipment and even land sales ”     Aumann has yet to hold an auction in Europe but he has plenty of regular customers from Europe Australia and elsewhere bidding at his auctions     “We sell a tremendous amount overseas ” he says     Aumann founding publisher of Belt & Pulley an antique tractor magazine is also a tractor buff Many of the company staff are too His one rule is to not buy at his own auctions Most of his tractors were purchased privately That doesn’t mean he doesn’t get a thrill at rare tractor auctions     “It’s very exciting to see really desirable rare tractors ” says Aumann “The excitement builds the history of the tractor comes out and the crowd competes to win it As an enthusiast I relate to the buyers and recognize that none of us are really owners We are just caretakers of this equipment ”     When the current caretakers of tractors purchased at his auctions are ready to sell Aumann will be ready to pass them on perhaps at new world record prices     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Aumann Auctions Inc 20114 Illinois Route 16 Nokomis Ill 62075 ph toll free 888 282-8648; www aumannauctions com

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