I’ve done so much writing about my grandfather and his old farm equipment. You’ve seen his boots and his weathered hands, but you’ve never seen a picture of HIM. Well, here he is. This was taken at my dad’s farm sale in December and he’s standing in front of his 4020.

I say “his” because the most popular tractor of its time, the John Deere 4020 was the very first of my grandfather’s diesel-powered tractors. He bought it around 1965 and I bet if we dug long enough, we could find the bill of sale.

As I mentioned, the farm sale represented a sort of end-to-the-farming-era for my family. However, we couldn’t let this one slip away, so my brother bought this tractor to keep it in the family. My brother commented the day of the sale when I asked if he wanted more photos taken, “I don’t get all sentimental about this stuff like dad does.”

I think this photo would tug at a heart-string for anyone in my family.

Until we walk again …