This is my 1959 Minneapolis Moline 4 star. The tractor was originally my 3 great-great uncles who were bachelors and farmed all their life. In 2004, they all retired and had a huge farm auction to sell everything but a few of the tractors they still needed to mow the grass and push the snow; everything else was sold.
Among the tractors that were left was the 1959 Minneapolis, 1850 Oliver, and a John Deere A. In the years since the sale, the three brothers passed. As we were working on the Oliver about 2 years ago, I asked my Grandfather what that was he said, “It’s a Minneapolis Moline.” At that time I had never heard of the brand. He said the land renter wanted to buy it so I let my Grandpa know that I thought it looked cool because it was different then all the other tractors. I told him that I would like to restore it to keep the tractor in the family. I bought the tractor from my Grandpa in January of 2013 and took it home and started the cleaning and restoration process with the help of my Dad and Grandfather. A year later we had it completely restored and ready for paint. When it warmed up, we began the painting process and finished the restoration in August of 2014. I now take the tractor on tractor rides and to tractor shows. For as long as I live and hopefully longer, this tractor will stay in the family.
Dylan Haas
Yankton, South Dakota