Several Southern gentlemen were present with their rare and unique John Deere tractors at this year’s Kalamazoo Antique Tractor, Engine and Machinery Club Show; Hamilton Halford of Perry, Ga., was one of them, at the Gilmore Car Museum.

Hamilton, a Georgia state trooper, had one of only two known John Deere 330 U tractors that were painted orange. His recently restored U was setting in a semi-circle of 330 tractors JD collector John Craig and his friends strategically placed at the show, which featured the brand this year.

“I purchased this from a gentleman in Tennessee,” Hamilton said. “It was a highway tractor that I just had restored.”

The other 330 U, which was originally painted green, was also part of the semicircle. Hamilton said he and its owner had struck up a friendship and both brought their tractors to be part of the unique U selection that visitors had the chance to see at this show in mid-June.

Another Southerner who had his beautiful John Deere 430 LP hi-crop parked nearby was Lee White from Madison, Ala. “I have had this for two years,” Lee said about his hi-crop. I have around 50 tractors, and I collect the 30 series.”

The hi-crop is a special tractor: “It is one of six built and it is a fitting one for me. I have been looking for this for 25 years,” Lee said. “I chase tractors; I am addicted to them.” The 430 LP was primarily used for sugar cane and vegetable crops, he added.

Another Georgia collector, Hyler Bracey from Taylorsville, had his 1958 John Deere 420 row crop LP gas Hi-Trac at the show. On the sign explaining this unique piece of equipment, Hyler wrote it was created by Vicks Mfg. of Plainview, Texas.

The Hi-Trac was “used for flame cultivating or spraying tall crops of cotton, corn and milo; approximately 500 built with Ford and International chassis. Only one John Deere converted to Vick’s Hi-Trac.”

Not all of the special JD tractors on display had Southern origins. Steve Gazdag of Kalamazoo, Mich., brought his 1936 DI John Deere industrial tractor, which drew attention with its bright yellow paint.

Sharon Schut from Byron Center, Mich., had a couple of models he created on-site, but along with his models he also had a John Deere 1010 crawler and a 1946 LA that he has owned since 1951 or 1952. “I bought it for gardening,” Sharon said.

As for his crawler, he said it is special because it is an agricultural rather than a construction crawler. “This sat in the shed for 20 to 25 years. I bought it from a friend. It only has 1,740 hours and it is designed for agriculture, not construction. They made 515 of these altogether.”

For JD lawn and garden lovers, there was also a full set of John Deere 110 patio tractors in an array of yellow, red, orange and blue.

One of the most unusual John Deere tractors at the show belonged to Bill Miller of Carlinville, Ill.

Bill brought several tractors, but the 1988 900 HC is one of seven that were converted for ginseng production in Marathon, Wis.

Bill wrote: “The local dealer and John Deere worked together to modify these tractors for producers’ requirements of this specialty crop.”

Other highlights of the show included Neil West’s Lanz Bulldog tractor and his Velie car, which Chris and John Boyens brought to the show. Visitors also enjoyed a chance to see a JD cotton picker, which brought home the Southern presence at this northern Michigan show.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.