John Deere tractors line the pavement in Hays

John Deere tractors line the pavement in Hays
John Deere tractors line the pavement in Hays
One agricultural equipment dealer had some extra John Deere tractors outside its windows on Saturday, when John Deere enthusiasts from around Hays, Kansas, convened to show off their green machines and swap stories about their performance in the field.

According to the Hays Post, most of the tractors that parked outside the Carrico Implement dealership on Saturday were old enough to be considered collector's items, and drew a large crowd as part of the third annual Old Iron Classic Antique Tractor Show.

John Dreiling, a Hays resident, has been collecting and restoring antique John Deere tractors for 30 years, a hobby he started with his father.

"We have about 32 tractors,  most are John Deere," he said. "My dad was born in 1931, and walked behind horses.  My grandpa drove a John Deere D. I just like to keep the heritage going."

That heritage is indeed being passed on, as Dreiling's 7-year-old daughter was at the event, where she showed her admiration for the family's John Deere Model 60 tractor.

According to Tractor Data, John Deere made five variants of the Model 60, many of which are now highly sought collectors items.