What's That Thing Worth?: Second "All Green" auction can't match first one.

As more than 10,000 John Deere collectors and enthusiasts gathered for the "All Green" auction at the John Deere Collectors Center in Moline in August, all wondered if any tractor would even come close to last year's top-seller that fetched $141,000 -- a record for a two-cylinder tractor at public auction. Records are made to be broken, but it wasn't about to happen this year... nothing came close.

Not that $73,000 is chicken feed. That was tops this year for a John Deere BWH-40, one of 13 built. All were shipped from production to Sacramento, where their sole purpose was vegetable harvesting.

Other rare or semi-rare Deeres in prime condition like the BWH-40 brought big bucks, but most observers felt prices were soft, overall. Thing about it, there was something there for just about everyone.

Serious John Deere collectors found several excellent tractors to add to their own long green line. On the other hand, one buyer pointed out the John Deere "B" he purchased for only $800. Sure, it'll take a lot of work and TLC, but he was tickled pink and went home happy.

This year's auction proved Hi-Crops are still good property. Yet the condition of the tractor, and having two hard-nosed buyers who come to the sale with a trailer or truck wanting the same prized tractor, still sets the final price.

In a teeter-totter national economy, valuable antiques generally remain at the higher level, and when stocks dive, people look for "hard goods" investments. Not everything is bulletproof, but vintage John Deere tractors, especially those rare and unusual models, appear to be about as close as you can get.

And, any item with a leaping deer is apt to appear at a John Deere memorabilia auction, which was the case in Moline during the second annual auction at the John Deere Collectors Center. We've included a sampling of what those items went for, in addition to our list of the equipment that brought top prices.

A honey of a dealership

John Deere heritage is on display to stay at the Moline Tractor & Plow Co., the recreated 1950s-style dealership that is a centerpiece for Deere collectors.

They have thought of everything... a parts department where you can order parts for that Johnny Popper you're restoring, a showroom sporting the best looking John Deeres built in the 1950s and the back shop where vintage tractors and equipment are undergoing repair and restoration.

You can buy caps and sweaters that are new, but have a 1950s look. It's a walk down memory lane, for sure. Would you believe the Danbury Mint just introduced a sculpture of a '50s John Deere dealership? Costing $78, the piece is about 11 inches long, nine inches wide and five inches high. You can almost smell the green paint.

Top Prices Paid at 2001 "All Green" Auction


JD BWH-40                       $73,000
JD HWH, 1 of 125                $43,000
JD 70 Diesel Hi-Crop, 1 of 44   $33,000
JD 4020 Rice Lugs               $27,000
JD 620 LP Standard, 1 of 38     $24,000
JD 4020 Console Hi-Crop         $23,000
JD 4020 Console (front assist)  $20,000
JD 4020 (mint condition)        $17,000
JD AOS Citrus Dress             $16,000
JD 430 Crawler                  $12,000
JD "B" Standard                  $1,900
JD 40 Standard                   $1,700
JD "B" (good condition)          $1,600
JD Memorabilia Sampling


Waterloo Boy Indian headband      $650
Waterloo Boy desk pen set         $175
1919 JD magazine                  $110
JD men's bicycle (blue)           $750
Deere/Mansur corn sheller         $500
1885 Farmers Pocket Companion     $300
JD farm implement sign          $1,150
JD springboard seat               $850
JD 1847 cast iron seat            $140
JD 4-leg watch fob                 $80
Two cotton picker belt buckles     $40
Ten assorted tie tacks             $30