Clifford Ernst's 1919 Moline Universal Tractor
What are antique tractors? The best answer is probably: "It depends!" To a Truculent Tractor Troglodyte (see link below), antique tractors are those produced during the period from the early 1900's up into the 1960's. To a Baby Boomer or the member of a younger generation, antique tractors might well be ones manufactured in the 1970's or later. The Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association does not provide an exact definition of an antique tractor; however, in its safety rules for tractor pulls, the Association specifies that "All pulling tractors must be 30 years or older." The National Antique Tractor Pullers Association generally considers antique tractors to be those manufactured in 1957 or before, with the caveat that tractors manufactured after 1957 can be considered antique if their production models started in 1957 or earlier. Many people consider the cut-off date to be 1960, because that was the year when John Deere & Company introduced its New Generation tractors with four and six-cylinder engines. There also seems to be a growing consensus that tractors produced after 1960 but at least 25 years old are classic tractors. However, in the final determination, your age and your experience will very likely influence your decision, and, whatever you decide, who can disagree?
