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Article published May 10, 2008 Old tractors DEERE to them Retired pair restores antique iron
By Rheta Murry Daily Times Correspondent
For a lot of people, tractors are the workhorses on farms and in rural areas.
That isn't so with Phillip Wiseman and Elmer Hill. Instead, they're an obsession.
The brothers-in-law together collect and restore antique tractors. So far, Wiseman owns 15, and Hill has eight tractors that have either been reworked, taken apart or waiting for the process.
"When we get them, we take them clear apart," Wiseman said. "The insides come out and we start from scratch."
The pair tries to restore the tractor to its original specifications whenever possible. When they can, Wiseman said they use parts from the manufacturer. Or, they might get parts from other collectors they meet at special events or swap meets. For example, Wiseman said he traded a tractor grill for another tractor he didn't have in his collection. Other times, they get a little help from their friends, especially when the tractor is badly damaged.
"A friend of ours, Steve Coulter, did some sheet metal work for us," Wiseman said. "Other times, my brother-in-law James Hill does some. And, my wife puts on all the decals"
The pair primarily researches the tractors using books, manuals and magazines.
"We're not real good at the Internet yet, but we're learning," Wiseman said.
In the winter, Elmer Hill and Wiseman work in the heated basement of Wiseman's rural Tomotley Road, Maryville, residence, out of the weather. Usually, six tractors of various sizes fill the large area, along with parts taken off those under repair. During the summer months, Wiseman said he and his brother-in-law work outside under Hill's carport a few houses down the road.
"My wife really likes us to do this, especially since we are retired," Wiseman said. "It gives us something to do and she likes it because I'm home most of the time."
Wiseman didn't plan on collecting tractors, it sort of just happened, he said. He only wanted one to restore, something to do in retirement. Once he got that old 1939 John Deere Model H running, and heard it idling, the bug bit him.
"I really like John Deeres," Wiseman said. "They just have a different sound."An adventure
Now he and Hill own several John Deere tractors of various models as well as those from Case, BF Avery, Gibson and Minneapolis Moline.
Locating tractors can be an adventure. The men learn about them primarily from auctions or word of mouth from fellow collectors or others familiar with Wiseman and Hill's hobby.
"They're usually always sitting there with one or two flat tires," he said.
Wiseman recalls digging out one machine from under a collapsed chicken coop. Another one sat in an open field for many years before someone offered to sell it to him. Sometimes, the tractor will be filled with water because the lid for the oil receptacle had been lost, or it will have other problems.Rare finds
Another time, a man approached Wiseman at an Atlanta, Ga., gas station, as he put air in the vehicle tires following a tractor show. The man offered to sell him a John Deere tractor. Wiseman, Hill and their families often participate in events in Atlanta, taking six to eight tractors with them.
"He said it belonged to his uncle," Wiseman said. "Of course, I got into it quick-like. We just thought it was a run-of-the-mill tractor until it got picked up."
Wiseman said he bought the tractor sight-unseen. His son, who lives in Atlanta, picked up the tractor, photographed it and sent them to his father. That's when Wiseman realized he had purchased a rare 1952 John Deere MI tractor for $200.
"It's an industrial model," Wiseman said, pointing out the all-yellow tractor in his side yard. "It sits lower to the ground and the wheels are closer together. It was mostly used to mow along the highway. It was a mess."
A previous owner had painted the tractor yellow and green, "normal" John Deere colors. It wasn't until Hill and Wiseman started removing the old paint that they realized the tractor's original color. This rare tractor model is one of his favorites and probably the most valuable.
Hill owns a rare 1955 Case 400, which has an extra gas tank and is called an "All Fuel" model tractor. He bought the tractor and two air compressors for $50. Wiseman said he believes it's worth between $8,000 and $10,000. They didn't realize how valuable the find until, while looking for parts, Wiseman said the men contacted an expert on the Case tractor.
"The man told us he knew a few of them existed, but he'd never seen one," Wiseman said.
Wiseman and Hill not only restore the tractors, they enjoy showing them off. The pair rides their tractors in parades and exhibits them at craft shows, fairs and other events around East Tennessee. This weekend, the pair will showcase the John Deere Industrial tractor and the Case 400 All Fuel tractor during the arts and crafts fair at New Midland Plaza in Alcoa.
Why do the men work five days a week for several hours a day on the tractors?
"We like to do the restoration by ourselves, because we know what we are getting," Wiseman said. "If you do them yourself, you take more pride in it."