Walking through this year’s Farm Progress Show, there was no shortage of cutting-edge equipment. Yet some of the most talked-about attractions weren’t the newest, biggest machines, but a pair of restored classics: a John Deere 8400 honoring the 30th anniversary of the 8 series, and a 1998 Fendt Favorit, the company’s first tractor sold in the U.S. before the Vario line took its place.

Both tractors drew big crowds not just for their heritage, but for what they represent. The Deere 8400 helped define a generation of row-crop tractors with its power and simplicity. Fendt’s Favorit opened the door for the brand in North America, setting the stage for the advanced transmission technology that would follow. Restoring these models and equipping them with a few modern cab updates gave fans a rare opportunity to see history and progress blend together.

What stood out most was how much affection people still have for the boxier, straightforward designs of that era. The smooth, curved lines of today’s machines might look sleek, but there’s something about the clean practicality of the older style that feels just as right. These tractors were built to be repaired in the shop or even in the field, with fewer layers of complexity. That usability is one of the reasons why so many from the 1990s and earlier continue to hold strong value at auction and retail, especially when they’ve been well-maintained and not overworked.

The appeal goes beyond nostalgia. Collectors and working farmers alike see value in machines that combine capability with dependability. Restored tractors like the 8400 and Favorit are attractive because they prove that good design lasts. They remind manufacturers that sometimes the best innovations are the ones that keep machines easier to fix, easier to operate, and ready for decades of service.

It was fitting that among all the futuristic technology on display at Farm Progress, these two vintage workhorses held their own. They weren’t just museum pieces; they were reminders that progress doesn’t always mean abandoning what worked so well.

Of course, we’d be remiss in not mentioning how one of the biggest show-stealers there was the Big Bud from Welkers Farms, which looked absolutely incredible, but that’s a different story.

The Legacy of Big Bud: The Giant That Stood the Test of Time

At Tractor Tuesday, we know the pull of these “capable collectibles.” That’s why we’re proud to feature some great vintage machines of our own at the September 9th auction. If you’ve been looking for a classic tractor that still has plenty of work left in it, or one that carries a little history into your shed, be sure to take a look.