Passing the Wheel: Three Generations, One 1953 Minneapolis-Moline UB

There is a specific shade of gold that anyone raised around farming recognizes instantly. It’s not the gold of jewelry, but “Prairie Gold”—the unmistakable signature color of a Minneapolis-Moline tractor. For years, that color represented hard work, reliable engineering, and the backbone of American farming. Today, in our family, it represents a bridge between generations right here in Indiana.

A Labor of Love in Craigville, Indiana

The story of our 1953 Minneapolis-Moline UB really begins with my wife’s first cousin, Don Lehman, over in Craigville, Indiana. Don is a man who appreciates the history of iron and grease. Back in 2010, he poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into completely restoring the ’53 UB. He brought it back to its factory glory, from the purr of its engine to that gleaming coat of Prairie Gold paint.

For years, Don proudly took the UB to shows, sharing its history with anyone who stopped to look. But as time caught up, health issues unfortunately made it impossible for Don to load up the tractor and take it on the show circuit anymore. It sat, waiting for its next chapter.

A Spark in Monroe, Indiana
Enter my 13-year-old grandson, Gaven Gaskill.

Gaven and I live just a short drive away in Monroe, Indiana. You never quite know what is going to catch a teenager’s eye these days, but Gaven didn’t fall for video games or smartphones—he fell hard for antique tractors. When he saw Don’s 1953 Minneapolis-Moline UB, it was love at first sight. He didn’t just see an old piece of farm equipment; he saw a masterpiece.

Knowing how much the tractor meant to Don, and seeing the fire in Gaven’s eyes, I knew we had to do something. So, in 2026, Gaven and I teamed up and officially purchased the UB from Don, keeping this beautiful machine close to home.

“It’s more than just buying a tractor,” Gaven told me. “It’s like we’re keeping a piece of family history alive.”

Keeping the Heritage Alive

Don might not be able to take the UB to the shows himself anymore, but his hard work isn’t going to sit in the dark. Gaven has taken the reins with a passion that makes a grandfather incredibly proud.

Not only are we keeping it polished, but Gaven has big plans to get it out into the community. He can’t wait to drive the ’53 UB in local parades, and he’s already planning to proudly drive it to school during FFA Week.

Every time we fire up that 1953 UB, we aren’t just running an engine. We are honoring the work Don put into it back in 2010, celebrating Gaven’s newfound love for agricultural history, and spending invaluable grandfather-grandson time together in Monroe, Indiana. The tractor has a new home, Don’s legacy is secure, and the next generation is officially behind the wheel.

Ken Neadstine
Indiana

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