EquipmentJunkie

Yes, there is some of that. Fendt tractors seem to be sold to larger operations and custom operators. The conservative Mennonites have discovered auctions and repossession avenues. The majority are running 10-20 year old Deeres.

Agreed. I am surprised that AGCO pulled off the removal of both Agco-Allis, White, and then eventually the newly created Challenger. Some upheaval but I think that the AGCO customer was braced for a lot of that change, like you mentioned. Locally, AGCO has been aggressively on the move with Fendt hitting the other green paint pretty hard while MF kicks CNH in the plums. I can't tell you when I last saw a new, blue tractor over 150-hp. and there aren't a ton of large Case IH machines either.

I have been trying to makes sense of that article for the last several days. It seems like the farmers and the dealers all lose and the bottom line for CNH Industrial is the only winner in a "purple" era. Please let me know if I need education on the topic. AGCO has done a similar thing with pretty decent success, in my opinion. However, AGCO did all that moving forward with a potpouri of brands for the last 20 years and were not trying to do it by reversing course like CNH will be.

Does Darn Tough have an outlet store with seconds or discontinued styles? I have tried looking a bit but only got a vague reference to a sale they may have once or twice per year.

Red Wing Heritage Iron Rangers are a great boot for the money. Whites are heavy but comfortable…and pricey. Built like a 56-series IH. I doubt I will wear mine out. Wesco Boots are extremely comfortable but are even pricier than Whites. Mine were custom made which took a year! I have a safety toe Danner boot which is pretty decent. I switched to wool socks exclusively over 25 years ago. I see zero downside other than up front cost but literally have some pairs in regular rotation that are 15+ years old! Orvis and Darn Tough are my favorite brands.

I had the privilege of meeting Pete while roaming the grounds at the Half Century of Progress show last year. He seems as genuine in person as you see on screen. I will definitely miss his content. Prime example was his excellent restoration job on his 856 Custom.

I don’t know if we will get there or not. My father wasn’t feeling 100% today and I don’t want him to overdo it. He had a few attachments for the M over the years and eventually sold his, as well. He’s approaching 89 and will be moving later this year. It is time to downsize. Plus, it became too difficult for him to get on and off the M. Shucks, I find it clumsy. It also needs to run a different fuel and gain more cylinders for my liking.

Sorry, I wish I knew. I wouldn’t think that parts are too difficult to find.

My father’s ‘49 JD M will be selling there. It’s as nice as the one on display at Deere’s Dubuque plant.

Tractor Data claims the engine is a turbocharged 276. Should be similar to one found in a 2750 tractor.

No, that model is made in Jackson, MN. The factory there offers an impressive tour. I’m glad I went.

Nice! I am sure you will be as happy as I am with mine.

I have been thrilled with my experiences with M H Eby aluminum bodies over the past 25 years. (Buy once, cry once) We had what would now be called their Big Country and the Drop Side models. They have skirted options now which I would want to look into further. Eby has a number of sales locations in your part of the country and the Grand Island location might be the closest. https://www.mheby.com/truck-bodies I saw a Martin Truck Body at the Keystone Farm Show this week which caught my eye. While I'm an Eby fan, I would give Martin a look. I see that they have a MO location. https://martintruckbodies.com/truck-bodies/?_product_cat=flatbed-bodies

Thanks for the photos. That museum has been on my To Do list for a few years but I haven’t made it yet. Perhaps 2026 will be the year.

I tend to shop at the excellent independents who have a stronghold in this area. Shady Maple Farm Market is my favorite. No doubt a number of you have been to their smorgasbord which is across the parking lot. Our local independent grocery stores have terrific meat, produce, and bakery departments. The chains we have locally are: Giant Foods, Weis Markets, Walmart, and Wegmans. Giant and Weis are generally pretty lousy in my mind. Walmarts have the benefit of all the other stuff under one roof. Wegmans has excellent quality and their prices can be good if you are discerning. Their Wegmans branded items are nearly always as good or better than national brands. I tend to go there about about once a month and always dress like I know how a hammer and wrench function. I also try to be cheerful and appreciative to counter the influence of the Karens. Trader Joe's and Lidl are also what I would call boutique stores which I frequent monthly, as well. I also resort to my Wegmans attire and attitude to enlighten the dour and entitled. For those who aren't familiar with Lidl (pronounced Lee-dle), they are a German brand which is very similar to Aldi but with more selection. Most of my produce and eggs come from farm stands or farmer's market. They are difficult to beat unless you have your own garden and flock.