When we talk about tractor collections that inspire envy, awe and nostalgic respect, few rise to the level of the one owned by Jon Kinzenbaw. An accomplished farmer, inventor, equipment manufacturer and longtime collector, Kinzenbaw is now preparing to let go of more than 100 antique tractors from his private collection. The auction promises to be a landmark event for the collector community.

The Man Behind the Machinery

Jon Kinzenbaw was born in Iowa in 1944, and his farming roots run deep. At the age of 21, he opened a small welding and repair shop in Ladora, Iowa with just a few tools and a loan of $3,500. That modest beginning would grow into Kinze Manufacturing, a heavyweight in the agricultural equipment world.

His company made its mark through innovations such as a high-clearance, variable-width moldboard plow, a two-wheeled large-capacity grain cart, and a rear-fold planter that changed how farmers moved large machines from field to field. Kinzenbaw has contributed more than 100 patents over the years. Even today, he remains involved in the business as Chairman of the Board, guiding the company’s culture of innovation and farmer focus. At the same time, he continues to farm, embodying the rare combination of maker, farmer, and collector.

The Collection of Iron Treasure: Over 100 Tractors

Kinzenbaw’s private collection has long been the stuff of legend among antique tractor fans. And now, he has decided to sell a substantial portion of that collection. According to the auction listing, more than 100 tractors and other equipment will go up for auction.

Here are a few stand-outs:

• Among the offerings are more than 50 tractors from the red-iron side (Farmall, International Harvester) including several Super M models from the 1950s.
• On the green side, the collection includes over 20 John Deere machines. One particularly head-turning example is a Deere 4020 with hydraulic front-wheel assist, fitted with the biggest tires many have ever seen. Its hour meter shows just two hours.
• Also notable is a 1937 John Deere B, the oldest tractor offered in the sale. It is an “unstyled” version with a hand-crank start and fresh tires.
• From Allis-Chalmers, there are ten vintage machines, including a 1947 grader with a 10-foot moldboard blade.
• Kinzenbaw is also including recent equipment from his own company, with planters, grain carts and other units less than five years old.

The sheer size and variety of the auction make it stand out. Many of the tractors have been stored indoors, some are fully restored, and others remain in original working condition. For longtime enthusiasts, the breadth of brands and eras makes this auction especially unique.

The Auction: When, Where and What to Know

The sale will be conducted as an online timed auction with bidding closing on November 4. All items are located in Williamsburg, Iowa, about 30 miles west of Iowa City. The open-house preview runs from October 27 through October 30, with viewing hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Load-out for purchased items is scheduled for November 5 through November 7, with shipping options available for buyers who cannot make the trip. The auction is being handled by Sullivan Auctioneers, a BigIron company, on behalf of the Kinzenbaw family. Importantly, it is a no-reserve auction, meaning every item will sell to the highest bidder.

For tractor collectors, dealers, historic machinery enthusiasts and farmers who grew up around these iconic machines, this sale is a rare event. A collection of this size and quality, with so many tractors stored in good condition, does not come up often. For anyone who has dreamed of owning a piece of Jon Kinzenbaw’s remarkable collection, this is the moment to step forward.