For Tim Malin, better late than never

Posted by JRM on July 22, 2002 at 18:27:33 from (152.163.213.64):

Posted by Tim Malin on June 04, 2002 at 16:18:46 from (207.190.93.163):
Hey again, guys. Does anybody have any tips on how to find a tractor sold a long time ago? I have a large list of tractors I'd like to find eventually, but my grandma's Farmall B is No. 1. Then it's great-grandpa's John Deere A, and I could probably list 10 more. However, I know that someone here MUST have looked for a long sold item that was precious to them and found it, and if you would be so kind give me some pointers. When my great-grandpa retired from the farm in 1965, he had an auction in 1967. I have an original flyer from the auction, and have found the person who bought it. Well, actually his wife. He has long passed on, and the Mrs. doesn't have anything. I'm kinda stuck. Thanks for your help, everybody.

Tim,

Regarding your post back in June about finding your Grandpa’s Farmall B, here are some of the things that I did to find my Grandpa’s F20.

I ran adds in the local papers in areas that I thought the tractor might be located.

I tracked one previous owner thru 2 moves in 2 different states, this was the most helpful.

He didn’t remember who bought the F20, but he gave me a couple of general locations where the tractor might be.

I checked every internet, auction, and newspaper for sale add with F20’s listed. (Over 200 during the search.

I talked to other collectors and F20 owners at shows, looking for leads.

I read about Charles English and his search for the only Gold John Deere D. He found about this tractor thru some literature and spent 2 years tracking down a tractor he wasn’t sure existed. I at least knew Grandpa’s existed.

I met Charles English at a show and talked to him. He ask if I had a special project and I told him about my search. I was about to give it up. He encouraged me to keep looking, you never know what might show up. He then told me I would probably have it in my barn by fall. He was almost wrong…….. I found it on Sept 22nd, the day before fall begins. I did bring it home after fall officially started. ;-) The Englishes have a web site with the story of the Gold D, well worth reading. I lost all my saved links in an AOL crash, his son Chances R post on YT frequently and always list the link to their site. They are a super nice family.

I actually found the tractor on the day I decided I would stop searching. It was in a post on ATIS that simply said “For Sale”. I usually don’t read posts like that, but for some reason I opened the post. For Sale, 1938 F20, Northeastern, OH. I signed off the net, but that add kept calling me back. I sent an e-mail, and the rest is history. One of the keys, he had bought it from an area that another previous owner had given me. 11 years to get it back and worth the wait. The tractor was actually sold at Grandpa’s estate sale and went for $50 more than I told my bidder to go. I was at the hospital for the birth of my oldest daughter. She will turn 12 next month, and the F20 is hers.

The most important thing I can tell you is if you really want to find the B, you must not give up hope of finding it. Write down any scars, alterations, and blemishes that the B had to help identify it as your grandpa’s. Grandpa’s F20 had a harness ring on the gear shift. He put it there when he bought the F20 and replaced his draft horses. The ring was the first thing I saw when I went to check the tractor out. Talk to the widow’s husbands friends and neighbors. One of them will remember where it went. Keep looking as the B may have been sold many times since then. I got serious in my search about 3 years ago. I spent several hours a week and almost gave up. Enjoy the hunt, the payoff is an unbelievable feeling. Grandpa’s F20 is just a common tractor, but the search and eventual purchase made it so much more. This is just a small part of the overall story of finding this tractor, but I hope it helps you. Keep in touch and let us know how your doing.
John

Follow Ups:

• Re: For Tim Malin, better late than never Yours truly 12:25:35 07/24/02 (0)

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: For Tim Malin, better late than never Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]