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Not Run of the Mill:
Oklahoma collector puts focus on the unique
By Leslie McDaniel
Photos by G. Wayne Walker Jr.
Norm Wood is not your typical hobbyist. His collection includes an engine that runs backward, a tractor powered by a jet engine, and an engine cut away to reveal its working parts.
"I like things that are unusual," he said.
"That old bug just kind of bit me," he said.
He started going to sales and swap meets, restoring his finds himself. Before long, he had a collection of 25 John Deere engines, including 17 of different configurations. Why John Deere?
"I really don't know," he said. "My first engine was a 3 hp John Deere, but there's other manufacturers that are just as good."
Today, the collection includes the three sizes made by Deere: 11/2 hp, 3 hp and 6 hp, with variations of the 1 1/2 and 3 hp models. He also has a John Deere EP, designed for use with a combine.
"It's kind of rare. They didn't build that many of them," he said. "I see more 6 hp Deeres than I do the EP."
His was a bit of a find: he found it at a sale, but it had not been advertised.