Gene Hart is a latent collector with a focus on the iconic green tractor line. Although Gene grew up around John Deere tractors, he started collecting them later in life. He explained that progression: “As a youngster, I remember our neighbor having a John Deere Model G tractor. I thought it would be great to own one someday.
“After Dad retired, he began acquiring John Deere tractors,” he continued. “Over time, he collected seven, including Model As, Model Bs, and one Model 50. With his mechanical ability, Dad took the tractors apart. He then repaired them as necessary and repainted them to be respectable show tractors.
“Dad loved the John Deere equipment line, and that interest has spilled over onto me. In reality, I wanted a John Deere collection so I could share in his hobby. Unfortunately, Dad passed before I was able to do that. I did inherit his two unstyled 1936 Model A and 1937 Model B tractors, however,” he said.
Gene’s John Deere assemblage has grown since those early tractors. “In addition to those first two tractors, I have a 1935 Model D and a 1938 Model G. My goal is to have a collection I can play with rather than simply show and display. To that end, I have acquired the correct period John Deere plow for each tractor model. Some need repair before they are field-ready,” Gene said.
John Deere Model A
As noted, Gene inherited the 1936 John Deere Model A tractor fully restored. The following information covers John Deere’s first true row-crop tractor.
From the Waterloo, Iowa, manufacturing facility, John Deere produced 320,000 Model A tractors. During its 18-year production run, it was considered the most popular tractor of that time.
The Model A replaced John Deere’s Model GP. John Deere produced several variations of the popular Model A. Model As were row-crop tractors and the first John Deere factory-produced tractors with rubber tires. Model AR was the standard (or fixed) tread model. Model AO was an orchard model with shielded fenders but no exhaust stack. There was also a Model AI, or industrial model.
According to TractorData, the two-bottom plow tractor was Nebraska-tested and rated at 18.72hp on the drawbar and 24.71hp on the belt.
Importantly, the Model A was a major factor in John Deere’s transformation from an implement company into a full-line farm equipment manufacturer.
John Deere Model B
As with the aforementioned tractor, Gene inherited the 1937 John Deere Model B. This tractor model filled other needs of farming, being a lower horsepower design than the Model A.
The Model B was also manufactured at Deere’s Waterloo, Iowa, production facility. The original Model B is frequently referred to as “unstyled” and includes all tractors built through year 1938. Beginning in 1939 with tractor number 60,000, it was referred to as “early-styled.” In mid-1947, the “late-styled” Model B was launched with production number 201,000.
TractorData shows the two-bottom Model B tractor was Nebraska-tested at 11.80hp on the drawbar. The 16hp rating on the belt was claimed but not Nebraska-tested.
The Model B was considered a general-purpose, row-crop tractor. When first introduced, it was rated as a one-bottom plow tractor with a short frame like Gene’s tractor. The frame was lengthened on later models to share mounted equipment with the Model A. John Deere also increased the horsepower to handle a two-bottom plow.
Interestingly, the cost of the Model B in 1937 was believed to be about $1,900 or two-thirds the price of the Model A. The two-cylinder Model B tractor with adequate horsepower made it very popular for smaller farms during those times.
John Deere Equipment
As noted earlier, Gene has John Deere plows to complement the tractors. In addition, he owns an antique John Deere manure spreader.
John Deere first entered the manure spreader business in 1902 when its dealers started selling the Success spreader. In 1910, Deere started building the Success spreader after acquiring the Kemp & Burpee Mfg. Co. of Syracuse, New York, the original builders.
In 1912, Deere began manufacturing its own beater-on-the-axle spreader developed by Theo Brown. It was sold as the Model B and drawn by two horses. The Model C was a three-horse version, although both spreader models had the same capacity. Deere introduced an improved version in 1929 known as the Model D.
Around 1936, the last of the beater-on-the-axle spreaders came out. Gene’s spreader is a 1937-manufactured Low Down Model E. This model has auto-style steering with a cutout in the front on both sides of the box. This allowed the wheels to turn under the box. The addition of coil springs provided for longer spreader life and an easier ride for the operator.
Although Gene’s spreader has not been restored, he uses it about once a month to clean horse stalls. The manure is spread on the field near the horse barn where the spreader is stored.
Gene’s Model 4B, two-bottom plow was made by John Deere between 1940 and 1945. “When I retired from Eurodrive, those under my management gifted the plow to me. I considered it a very unique and thoughtful gift. Perhaps I’ll restore it at some future date,” Gene shared.
Collector Profile
“I grew up in a rented farmhouse in western Miami County, Ohio, along with my two sisters. My dad owned a 1941 Allis-Chalmers Model B tractor that he used to tend our large garden and potato patch. This led to farming our neighbors’ 25 acres. Eventually, Dad sharecropped 80 acres,” Gene said.
“Dad purchased a 1941 John Deere Model B along with equipment to handle the farming operation,” he continued. “He did this while working a full-time day job. My dad and grandfather were handymen who could fix or repair anything on the farm or around the home.”
As a youngster, Gene had toy farm tractors and equipment. “In addition to playing hard with those toys, I enjoyed taking them apart. I believe there were times when I imagined they weren’t working. That provided an excuse to dismantle them for repair. That mechanical interest carried over to working on my bicycle and then tinkering on my first car,” he said.
During his teen years and throughout high school, Gene spent his summers working on neighboring farms. This included baling hay and working the tobacco fields. “My first tractor-driving experience was at my grandfather’s farm. His friend was baling hay with a Ford model 8N. When I was given the chance to drive the tractor with the baler, I jumped on, and off we went. Driving a tractor was always a joy whenever I had the chance,” Gene said.
“After high school, I attended college interspersed with employment. Eventually, I completed my education with an engineering degree. While a Springfield, Ohio, resident, my last employment was as application engineer with Eurodrive, a German-owned company,” he said.
Conclusion
In addition to Gene’s farm collection interest, he has restored a 1940 International dump truck. “The truck comes in handy to haul various material like mulch and gravel. I also assist friends with their hauling needs,” Gene said.
Due to limited space, Gene stores his collection on two farms and his home garage. “I’m currently looking for items that will allow use on the farms where they’re stored. I’m looking to add a pull-behind bushhog to chop corn stalks in the fall,” he said.
“Collecting this antique equipment serves to preserve farm history. At the shows — where I display — it’s enjoyable sharing stories with fellow hobbyists. There’s always something to learn by interacting with other collectors. It’s also satisfying to use the equipment on a regular basis as they were intended,” Gene said.
If you would like to learn more about Gene Hart’s John Deere assemblage, he welcomes your contact by phone: 937.409.9014, or via email: epjjhart@yahoo.com
Freelance writer Fred Hendricks of Mansfield, Ohio, covers a vast array of subjects relating to agriculture. Contact Fred at fwhendricks@gmail.com
