There are a few common brands that come up when you're looking for vintage tractors; names like John Deere, Case, Massey Ferguson, Allis-Chalmers and McCormick often appear if you attend a farm auction. Of course, Australian classics like Chamberlain can often be found in good collections--in fact, some of the most popular vintage tractors are often Australian classics.
Some of the appeal of vintage tractors might come from their simplistic design. With no extra features, these old tractors were barebone machines that simply did what they needed to do. Often without some basic safety features that many take for granted these days. In fact, some of the earliest tractors had unguarded wheels, exposed pulleys at foot level, or even buzz saws. Vintage tractors were made to be tough, and it shows.
Part of this toughness translates to their ability to still run 30, 40, or even 50 years since they were manufactured. Aside from simply giving them a quick paint job, many collectors, museums or auctions will do a full restoration of their vintage tractors, before showcasing or selling them to the public. This not only increases their value, but it also showcases just how tough these old machines are.
Of course, not all vintage tractors are equal and there's a few things to keep in mind if you're looking to get a new addition for your collection--or start one.
The first point is fairly obvious, condition. While you will expect a vintage tractor to look, sound and feel old, that doesn't mean it's in bad condition. But, you do need to look out for broken components, rust and whether the tractor even starts or not. While this may not stop you from buying it, it will definitely affect the price. After all, a working tractor is going to be easier to restore than a faulty one.
Another factor to consider is the brand. This will vary depending on your tastes, as you may only want to collect Australian classics like the Chamberlain, or you may just want to collect a bit of everything. But knowing the brand of your target tractor will give you a better idea of the average price and whether what they're asking for is fair or not.
This leads into the final tip, competition. Most of the time, vintage tractors will be sold at auction, and there's more than one vintage tractor collector in Australia! So knowing as much as you can beforehand and knowing when to stop is vital. Of course, this doesn't only apply to vintage tractors, but anything at an auction really.
Knowing whether you've got a vintage tractor worth a mint can be tricky, and it never hurts to have it evaluated if you're not sure. But if you're lucky, that old tractor your grandad left you might actually be worth more than you think.
