We have received word of this year’s
first confirmed case of " green garden tractor collector’s virus".
The victim’s name is Kevin Holcomb of Hastings, Minnesota. It
appears Holcomb was first exposed to the virus during a visit to the
Little G Expo 2007 in Dyersville, Iowa late last year. He traveled
to the Expo to meet Mike Horn, Rob Kruger, and other members of the
Weekend Freedom crew in person. Although he even took a ride on the
"Alaska" 318 owned by fellow WFM member Chris Anton, of Anchorage,
Alaska, it appears he was not bitten by the collecting bug at that
time. Apparently his immune system was in top form and he was able
to fend off the virus.This year however, he returned to the
Little G Expo, and when the virus struck again, he was unable to
resist. The villain was a John Deere 120 in great original
condition. Kevin purchased the tractor and now has a confirmed case
of the garden tractor collecting virus. Experts say there is no
known cure at this time.
While researching the background of the victim, it was discovered
that he has a family predisposition to the virus and was a prime
candidate to contract it. It was only a matter of time.
Kevin’s grandfather owned a John Deere dealership, so green was
always in his blood, he just needed to be exposed to the right
carrier. Kevin began collecting big tractors at the age of nine,
when he got his first John Deere B. He said he was grateful that he
and his grandfather were able to fix and restore it before his
grandfather passed away.
Until this year’s garden tractor purchase, his passion was
two-cylinder John Deeres. His collection of eleven full size
tractors includes a 36BW, an older model orchard, a G, a GP, and
several B’s, but his pride and joy is a 1919 Waterloo Boy N which
has been featured on many calendars including one which will be
coming out soon. He and his dad have exhibited the tractors at many
shows and are also involved in the Two-Cylinder Expos. They do all
their own restorations and he said he is simplistic and likes the
Two-cylinders without lights.
Kevin said the thing he enjoys most about collecting John Deere
tractors is the people you meet and the friendships you make along
the way. He noted that some people get in it just for the money but
that most of us are in it for the people. He said he especially
liked the people at Little G because, " I’m not saying Two Cylinder
is old, but Little G people are a little closer to my age."
When not working on his John Deere tractors, ( and to support the
collecting habit ), Kevin works as the quality assurance manager at
a company which builds pumps for fire trucks and the fire hydrants
which you see in your neighborhood. When asked what advice he would
give to someone thinking of collecting, he said, " Look for
something that catches your fancy first. Don’t worry about value. If
you like something, pursue it. It’s all about having fun. Get
something you like and start there."
