As in all restorations of vintage equipment, obtaining replacement parts is a particular challenge, although Lowell's sizeable collection is in itself a parts source. Decals, too, can pose a problem. "Decals are very hard to find," he says, "but with more and more people getting interested in garden tractors, more decals are becoming available for the older lawn tractors." Even determining the correct paint color can be a trick. "It's hard, sometimes, to find the right color of paint," he says, "because a lot of the companies have been bought out by other companies or gone out of business, and in the shuffle, part numbers and paint codes are no longer available. I usually have to match my paint by finding a place under the gas tank or someplace where it's still original.
As he builds his collection, Lowell is as enthusiastic about duplicates as he is about rare models. "When you're going into a hobby, collecting things, you like to find the rarest thing there is to find," he says. In the case of lawn tractors, for instance, some Oliver models are considered especially desirable, largely because of low production numbers.
Another factor that affects value is options. Fairly few lawn tractors were equipped with optional equipment, and because of that, those units are highly prized. "These tractors had accessories on them," Lowell says. "It was like ordering a car. When you bought a lawn tractor, you had the option of headlights, a cigarette lighter and different types of transmissions. They had lots of accessories ... loaders, blades, sickle mowers, tillers and snow blowers.
Lawn tractor sales literature also has value. "If you find the sales literature and brochures advertising lawn tractors," Lowell says, "that's another thing that's collectible." Because people typically held on to the owner's manual that came with their tractor, those pieces are less valuable. The manuals do, however, have practical appeal to the collector, because they often contain useful technical drawings and parts numbers. "They're important, but they're not as valuable as the sales literature," Lowell says. "Sales literature has nice, colorful pictures that are more attractive. It's just harder to find; I think it's something that just wasn't kept around."
The hunt for literature, parts, attachments and new additions to his collection takes many forms. Lowell and his wife, JoAnn, regularly attend antique tractor and steam engine shows, where they're finding a lot of interest in vintage lawn tractors. "I've put up 'Wanted to Buy' signs, and it's surprising what people will come up and talk to you about. I hand out business cards at different places, and go by word-of-mouth. Sometimes I'll find an advertisement in the newspaper. One thing leads to another; people are calling here all the time when they have a tractor, or they're looking for one.
People also stop by to admire, or perhaps marvel, at the collection. "We live on a highway, and it's surprising the number of people who stop," Lowell says. "I bet there's 20 to 25 people a week who stop and talk about the tractors. Some people admire them, and some say they just didn't know people did things like this."
- For more information: Lowell Brusse, 912 S. Section, Spring Valley, MN 55975; (507) 346-2594.
Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy is a freelance writer in Spring Valley, Minn.