Before four-wheel drive was a selling point, one Michigan farmer built it out of necessity — and what he created was decades ahead of its time. John Fitch had a problem that no tractor on the market could solve. His fruit farm near Ludington, in the light sand soil of northern Michigan, was eating tractors […]
Engine History
The Raymond Improved Gas Engine: J. I. Case’s Forgotten Experiment with Gasoline PowerWhen most people think of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, they think of massive steam traction engines and portable steam engines that powered farms across North America. But in the 1890s, Case briefly experimented with gasoline engines. At the center of that experiment was an obscure and fascinating design known as the Raymond […]
Antique Engines
Opinion
My Picks: The Top 3 Engines At The Coolspring Power MuseumIt’s overwhelming with the number of rare and quality engines ther are at the Coospring Power Museum. Building after building is filled with something you might not find anywhere else. Let’s take a look at three of the best show stoppers. These are my top three picks for best show stoppers at the Coolspring Power […]
Antique Engines
Engine History
The Oldest International Harvester Engine: A Rare Piece of Farming HistoryWhen it comes to early farm machinery, few artifacts carry the weight of history like the oldest known International Harvester engine. On display this year at the Coolspring Power Museum, this remarkable survivor isn’t just another antique—it’s a rare glimpse into the very beginnings of one of the most iconic agricultural companies in the world. […]
Tractor History
How We’re Helping Museums GrowIf you’ve ever walked through the gates of a tractor or engine show, or spent an afternoon at a living history museum, you know how much these places matter. They’re not just museums — they’re community hubs, classrooms, and time machines that keep the story of America’s agricultural and industrial past alive. But here’s the […]
Collector Stories
All good things come to an end…Remembering the people & places that made the hobby great.This is one of the harder things I’ve written. I’ve been in denial for a while. I didn’t want to recognize that there’s a shift coming. A shift I saw coming. For over 30 years, I’ve been a part of this wonderful hobby and I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunities and met so […]
Just For Fun
John Deere To Reintroduce Iconic Two Cylinder Tractor in 2027Last week John Deere announced they’ll be tooling up and reproducing their iconic two-cylinder tractor.
Opinion
No, Your Tractor Is NOT an Antique – And Here’s Why!*Satire I’m still struggling to accept that tractors built in 1925 are now considered antiques. That just doesn’t sit right with me. I always figured the magic number was 100 years. If your engine or tractor hit the century mark, congrats, it’s an antique. But here we are in 2025, and that logic has betrayed […]
Opinion
Five Reasons You Should Own An International Scout And Not A Ford BroncoIf you’re debating between a vintage International Scout and a Ford Bronco, here are five reasons why the Scout might be the better choice: Some History What’s a Scout? The International Harvester Scout was introduced in 1960 as one of American’s first compact SUVs, designed to compete with Jeep. International Harvester was a company known […]
Tractor History
A Plow That’s Impossible To Find – Engine Gang Plow For An 8-16 Mogul TractorMaybe it’s not impossible to find, but it’s one we’ve tried to find for decades. Sure there’s a few around, but no one wants to part with it. Then just a couple months ago, a tractor, plow guide and plow setup came up on auction, and we decided we should try to own it.
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