So I found this tractor sitting in a barn. I purchased it from the farmer and have been working on it this summer.
So here is the story. The guy I bought it from said the tractor was purchased new from IMT by Massey. They used the tractor to prove that IMT at the time was copying their patten. Massey had them shut down and they had to scrap all parts and tractors made. Although some made it out to the public in the overseas markets, this is the only one that was shipped to North America.
Then as it goes on, Massey didn't want the tractor sold to the public so they donated to a school for their diesel program. The guy I bought it from, His father bought is at least 20 years ago on a public state auction. He put it in the barn to work on it someday, but never did. He has since passed away or was getting older and his son pulled it out of the shed and sold it to me.
I reached out through social media and the internet on any info about the tractor. Early this year an older man got a hold of me, he knew of the tractor name, and he also told me the same story that the previous owner had told me. I believe he worked for Massey, that was how he knew. From the info I got from him, this is possibly the only one in the USA and North America. He said he thought there were only about 300 made and sold to the public overseas. After Massey shut them down they reached a deal where IMT would purchase their old pattens and start to build them again. But not this model. They were a whole different tractor.
This tractor is 100% original, with only 57 hours on it. Even the tires are still original and say "Made in Yugoslavia" on them. I have since got it running and driving. I had the injector pump rebuilt with parts out of the UK and from IMT. I have yet to learn of a date of manufacture on this tractor. IMT, which is based in Serbia now, cannot get me any info because they had to destroy everything.
So how collectable is this? I have had some decent offers from farmers wanting it for farming, since it is a 75hp diesel and four wheel drive. But id like to see it in a collection. Seems to be a lot of history behind this one. If anyone would have any info on it, I would love to hear it. Thanks for reading.
BTW I cannot get pictures to load. Ill keep working on it.
So here is the story. The guy I bought it from said the tractor was purchased new from IMT by Massey. They used the tractor to prove that IMT at the time was copying their patten. Massey had them shut down and they had to scrap all parts and tractors made. Although some made it out to the public in the overseas markets, this is the only one that was shipped to North America.
Then as it goes on, Massey didn't want the tractor sold to the public so they donated to a school for their diesel program. The guy I bought it from, His father bought is at least 20 years ago on a public state auction. He put it in the barn to work on it someday, but never did. He has since passed away or was getting older and his son pulled it out of the shed and sold it to me.
I reached out through social media and the internet on any info about the tractor. Early this year an older man got a hold of me, he knew of the tractor name, and he also told me the same story that the previous owner had told me. I believe he worked for Massey, that was how he knew. From the info I got from him, this is possibly the only one in the USA and North America. He said he thought there were only about 300 made and sold to the public overseas. After Massey shut them down they reached a deal where IMT would purchase their old pattens and start to build them again. But not this model. They were a whole different tractor.
This tractor is 100% original, with only 57 hours on it. Even the tires are still original and say "Made in Yugoslavia" on them. I have since got it running and driving. I had the injector pump rebuilt with parts out of the UK and from IMT. I have yet to learn of a date of manufacture on this tractor. IMT, which is based in Serbia now, cannot get me any info because they had to destroy everything.
So how collectable is this? I have had some decent offers from farmers wanting it for farming, since it is a 75hp diesel and four wheel drive. But id like to see it in a collection. Seems to be a lot of history behind this one. If anyone would have any info on it, I would love to hear it. Thanks for reading.
BTW I cannot get pictures to load. Ill keep working on it.