All Work All The Time For This Fleet Of Classic Allis Tractors

It’s hard to tell whether Geoff and Travis Postin are farmers first and tractor collectors on the side, or if it’s the other way around. Either way, Geoff says they’re basically “two farmers who are stuck in the 1980s.” Like many collectors, the two brothers have a vast collection of tractors between them. In this case it amounts to 30 or more Allis-Chalmers models. Unlike many of their counterparts, though, the Postins use every one of their tractors in their farming operation, which consists of about 700 acres of corn, soybeans, hay, and livestock near Ellisville, Illinois.

“It all kind of started with our dad, who farmed with an Allis-Chalmers D19 and One-Ninety XT that he bought new,” says Geoff, noting that their father passed away in 2021. “Once we started collecting other later-model Allis-Chalmers tractors, I guess it just got in our blood and has become an addiction.”

Although the brothers do have one late-model New Holland tractor with front-wheel assist and a loader for feeding their cow-calf and background herds, Geoff says every other tractor on their farm was built before the demise of Allis-Chalmers in 1985, the oldest being a Model D15.

The rest of the tractors include one or more models within nearly every series built since 1969. That includes a Model 200; a 220; several representatives of the 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 series; and four four-wheel-drive articulated models. Travis notes, for example, that they own three Model 7010 tractors. However, one features an open platform, another has a canopy, and the third has a factory cab.

“A lot of the models with a canopy went to the Southern states, where they didn’t really need a cab, but wanted shade from the sun,” he relates. “But a few of them have made their way back north, which gave us a chance to collect all three variations. Depending on the season, which kind of determines which one we use, they’re great models for use on the rake, baler, or manure spreader.”

Geoff adds that they also have a Model 7050 with a canopy that is often used with their no-till drill. While it might seem like overkill, you’ll often see one of the Postins’ three 7580 four- wheel-drive articulated models, the 8550, or the big 4W-305 on the grain cart during harvest.

“Since you sit so much higher in the four-wheel-drive tractors, it’s easier to see into the semi when you’re unloading the grain cart,” he explains. “Of course, they’re great for tillage.”

Mechanically Sound

“Every one of our tractors is mechanically sound and used in the field,” Geoff says, noting that as the owner of a tractor repair business, Travis does nearly all the needed repairs. “If it’s been a while since one of the models has been used, we’ll take another tractor off of a piece of equipment and use that one just to keep it loosened up.”

Although several of the tractors have been repainted, Geoff says that is something they don’t do themselves. Instead, they’ve hired that portion of the restoration out to a professional. “It’s hard to find somebody who is good at painting tractors, and it doesn’t often come cheap for a good paint job,” Geoff admits. “Unfortunately, when we look at the cost of a paint job, it’s too easy to just spend that money on another tractor.”

Tractors Come From Far and Wide

Travis says the tractors they’ve collected have literally come from far and wide. Although some have been acquired locally, others have come from as far away as North Dakota, Iowa, and Georgia.

“We’ve found a number of them through websites like Tractor-House, AuctionTime, etc.,” he explains. “On the other hand, people who know we collect the later-model Allis- Chalmers tractors have simply called when they have something to sell or know of one for sale.

“Some of them just needed to be cleaned up and have required very little work at all,” he continues. “Naturally, others have required more repairs than we expected.

“There have been a few, too, that we’ve bought sight unseen. In those situations, we try to buy them at a price that gives us a cushion for any repairs they may need,” he says.

Geoff adds that it’s not always easy to find parts. Many of their tractors, for instance, aren’t old enough for reproduction parts, yet they’re old enough that AGCO no longer stocks the necessary parts. Hence, the brothers have had to become resourceful at times.

“As an example, AGCO no longer stocks the lower bearing and bushing for the articulation joint on the 7580 four-wheel drive,” he says. “So, we ended up going to a company that specializes in bearings. After some research, they were able to find a virtually identical match. So, you have to be willing to do some digging and keep a list of resources if you’re going to restore some of these models.”

Still, Geoff says they aren’t ready to trade their vintage farm fleet for new computerized models anytime soon.

“I suppose if we farmed 5,000 acres, we’d need something bigger and more technologically advanced,” he says. “On the other hand, we have at least one or more tractors that fit every situation and are ready to go to the field. If something does break down, we can fix it ourselves.”