Tracing a tractor

[Shawn W]

Hello all
My grandpa bought several new John Deere over the years before he sold out in 1976. I would like to try and find one of those tractors that was on his sale. There would have been a 3010, 4020, 4620, and possible a 5010 or 5020.
We dont have any sereial numbers and the dealers they were bought at, is out of buissness.
Does deere keep a record of who bought those tractors and serial numbers. I know if i had a serail number we could plug it into Deeres computer and if the tractor was serviced at a dealer it should show up. But How in the world do i find out the serial numbers of those tractors. All his records are go and he doesnt remember if any of the tractor stayed local or not.
Thanks for any help
Shawn

 

[Anonymous-0]

I would start with maybe placing an add in your local papers or farm papers saying you are looking for those models, there maybe a chance they didnt move far away. Also anything that is special or particular about the tractors that would make them recognizable, for instance maybe grandpa had a homemade bright yellow rock box on the front with john deere bumper stickers on it, etc, you get my drift. I would look at any original photos of them if you have any for any other special features or characteristics. The more you can find out and learn about them, the better your chances will be, what options did they have, what engines, wide or narrow fronts, if your grandpa or dad are available to talk to about them, that would be a good starting point right there. Hope you find them, I too am looking for a couple family tractors myself, but no luck yet.

 

[RobMD]

Some people HAVE serial numbers and STILL spend 20 years looing for them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Do you know who the auctioneer or company who conducted the farm sale. They might have kept records on who bought what item and actually have an address associated with the payment of the tractors purchased. They may also have the seerial numbers on each tractor sold. Just a thought...good luck.

 

[PeterE]

If you did find one of Grandpa"s tractors... how would you know? Without serial numbers, or some other type of identification, the 4020 for sale across the street could be it.

As Harlan noted, you"ll need to determine some way to identify it. Otherwise you could be looking at one and never know it.

 

[KMK]

Any neighbors to your grandpa that was around back then that might remember who bought what?Some guys have really good memories about stuff like that.

 

[Roger in Iowa]

If bought new from a JD dealer, there are records I know as far back as 1971, how much further I don't know. Contact a dealer. Might have to keep trying to find one to do it. Search is by customers' name.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Gonna be tough without the serial number. Deere kept records of the dealers the tractors shipped too, but I don't think they have them for customer sales.