A Reverence for Rust and a Passion for Revival

There’s a certain magic in the clank and hiss of old machinery, a story whispered in every worn gear and faded decal. For me, the passion for restoring antique equipment isn't just about nuts and bolts; it's a deep-seated reverence for the history, the ingenuity, and the sheer grit of a bygone era. It’s about understanding what it was like to rely on these mechanical marvels for a living, long before the advent of today's push-button world.

My journey into the world of mechanical restoration began, as it does for many, on a small scale. I started with the humble lawnmower, learning the satisfying rhythm of diagnosing a problem and bringing a silent engine back to life. From there, I graduated to ATVs and, eventually, to the machines that truly captured my heart: farm tractors.

My first full-fledged tractor restoration was a project I shared with my father – an early-styled John Deere Model B. Together, we did more than just fix the mechanical issues; we breathed new life and purpose into it. We designed a custom front brush guard, heavy-duty fenders, and even extra seating. That tractor wasn't destined for a life of ease on a trailer; it became a workhorse and a source of joy, skidding logs, pulling rocks, and carrying us on adventures through the woods.

That first taste of bringing a piece of history back to functional glory was all it took. I was hooked. My collection grew, and my focus sharpened on the John Deere lettered series two-cylinder era machines, though I couldn’t resist delving into other brands as well. As my skills and collection expanded, so did my fascination with older and more complex machinery. I dabbled in outboard boat motors, hit-and-miss engines, and even the industrial might of Hyster Karry Kranes.

The natural progression of this passion led me to the very heart of the powered farming revolution: steam. For the past eight years, the world of steam has become a culmination of my personal and professional interests. As someone who operates a large steam plant for a living, the steam hobby felt like coming home. I found myself drawn to the oldest mechanical devices in the powered farming process, particularly the early M. Rumely steam engines, with their distinctive bunker tank slung under the right rear axle – machines that were in production from about 1890 to 1907.

1897 12hp M. Rumely

One of the most rewarding aspects of this hobby is the challenge of the unknown. With these century-old machines, there are no service manuals readily available, no online forums with quick fixes. It’s a process of dedicated research, of poring over old documents and photographs, and, in many cases, of reverse-engineering and fabricating parts from scratch. It's in this deep dive into the history of these companies and their creations that you truly connect with the past.

I don’t consider myself an expert, not in the truest sense of the word. The real experts, the men who designed, built, and operated these machines daily, have long since passed. But through years of dedicated research and a sharp eye for detail, I’ve been able to connect dots and unearth details that might otherwise be lost to time.

Most of my collection was built on a shoestring budget, which meant I often worked on machines that others might have considered too far gone. But in those challenges, I found the greatest rewards and the most valuable lessons. Over the years, between my own projects and those of friends who’ve recruited me for help, I’ve worked on hundreds of machines, each with its own story and its own set of puzzles to solve.

This journey has instilled in me a strong belief that these machines are more than just static displays. While I appreciate a beautifully restored piece, my heart is with the mechanically sound machine that’s being put to work, its engine breathing, its wheels turning. It’s in the use of these machines that we truly honor their legacy.

It is with this spirit of sharing knowledge, appreciating the capabilities of antique machinery, and a desire to help others experience the same joy of restoration that I partnered with a good friend to start Vintage Parts Revival. Our hope is that we can help others not just to restore, but to appreciate, enjoy, and share the incredible history of these machines, just as I have.