In 75, I was working for a farmer who knew I was looking for a small tractor to do work on our 1 acre yard. He found an auction flier for a 49 JD M that was located about 4 hours away from us. Told me he had one earlier and it was a great tractor.
I went to the auction, bought the unit (tractor, 1 x 16 rollover plow, sickle mower, and cultivator) for about $750. It was rusty enough, it looked like an IH! Started ok at the auction, so I figured it was good.
The farmer I worked for let me use one of his trucks to haul it home in exchange for mowing around his pond with this unit. Many hours of wire brushing, a gallon of green/yellow paint, and some decals, it looked great. Needed a new wire harness as the old one was frayed big time.
I owned/used it for 15 years, and sold it for about $2000.
Over my life, I've drooled over owning a 4020 with FEL, but I have no need for one. To me they were the finest tractor ever built.
I'm an orange guy now, with a
BX2200 and FEL. Reminds me a lot of the 4020, except for the size and color.............
Happy New year.
Ron