By Fred Hendricks
The desire to farm was firmly embedded in Mike Zeigler’s soul at a young age. And while Mike is now a professional electrician, that farming spirit lives on. Mike nurtures that life-force by collecting replicas of farm tractors and implements. He also stays connected to agriculture through Zeigler’s Electrical Service.
“My toys as a youngster were farm related. I would spend countless hours in the summer working the sand box with my favorite 1:16 scale International Model 1456 and 1466 tractors made by Ertl. A heavy-duty, articulated, 1:16 scale John Deere tractor made by Ertl saw the brunt of heavy play as well. In the winter months I wore through many knees on my pants while carpet farming. I could not wait to get home from school or for the weekend to come around so I could get the imaginary field work in order. My farming buddy back then was a good friend, Erik Sobers. No one could play-farm better than Erick and I. Although I had other toys that eventually bit the dust, these three pieces survived and are cherished pieces on display in my collection,” Mike reflected.
Soon after those days of child play, Mike was driving tractor on his grandfather’s (Wilber Grau) farm.
“I was probably ten years old when I drove Grandpa’s Farmall Model Super C the first time. I was quite young to have a responsible assignment, but driving a tractor for any reason was great fun. My teen years rolled around so I was ready for the real deal; working ground in preparation for spring planting. My first task was operating a Case Model 2594 tractor in the field. Wow… did I ever feel special? I was a little tentative, but I wasn’t about to let Grandpa know that I was nervous. I wanted to do the work right and not make any mistakes. It was a feeling of freedom; out in the open field working alone, on a tractor without a cab. Today’s tractors are far more technical with auto-steering and comfort cabs. Surely, it can’t feel the same as when I was driving tractor. I really miss those days, but I’m able to stay connected to farming through my collecting hobby and working with farmers in our electrical business,” he remarked.
Collection Launch
With Mike’s interest in farming well-grounded at an early age, his father, John Zeigler fostered it further. Appropriately, John would take Mike to Burkhart Farm Center to check out their latest toy offering. Burkhart Farm Center began as an International farm machinery dealer and later became a leading Case IH dealer in northcentral Ohio.
“When Dad would take me on a toy hunting excursion at Burkhart’s and other area farm equipment dealers, that was a special treat. He would usually buy a toy for me. I would bring it home and immediately display it on the shelf. Many times it would stay in the original box. If I took it out for display, the box would be put away in safe keeping. Even when I was young, I seldom took a toy off the shelf for play,” Mike stated.
Farm toy collectors are a special breed. And there are no two alike. Mike’s approach to collecting is a little different, as he explained, “I’m not out beating the bushes looking for that next elusive item to expand my collection. I’d probably be considered a casual collector. I’ll go through stretches of time when I’ve not added anything to my collection. And then, I’ll come onto something that catches my eye. If I like it, I’ll usually buy it.”
Mike’s early exposure to farming was predominately International and John Deere tractors utilized on his grandfather’s farm. However, his collection includes nearly every brand. “My shelves are packed full of tractors, farm equipment and trucks. I’m not partial to a certain brand as nearly every make of ag equipment is represented. Although I’ve never driven a Big Bud tractor, I’ve always been drawn to their massive size and horse power. I currently have 39 Big Bud tractors in 1:64 and 1:16 scale, so that probably represents a brand preference. If there is something in the Big Bud line that I don’t have, I’d like to know about it.
“I have over 300 pieces that comprise the rest of my cache. And, they include scales of 1:64, 1:32 and 1:16. I also have a hand-full of industrial equipment in 1:50 scale. I try to buy most everything in 1:32 scale. This size model works best with my limited space and restrained budget. Available display units in our basement are totally consumed with the collectables. Before adding more models, I’ll need to locate additional cases that are suitable for display purposes. But first, I’ll need to see how that flies with the family,” he explained.
Sentimental Favorites
The size of farm toy collections varies depending on the person and their interest. A common thread among collectors, however, is their sentimental favorites. Each person has cherished items and for different reasons. Mike enumerated on those favorite models in his collection, “It would be difficult to list an order of preference for my favorites. I have several, so let me start with my oldest model. My Grandfather, Carl Zeigler, worked at a Huber Manufacturing plant in our home community of Bucyrus, before the production facility was moved to Marion, Ohio. Huber manufactured steam engines, threshers and farm tractors. While working there, he acquired a 1:16 scale, sand-cast Huber steam roller built by Brubaker. I admired that old relic as early as I can remember. Grandpa promised that it would be mine someday. It’s been passed along to me and now part of the collection.”
Another special remnant came from Mike’s dad. “The 1:16 scale John Deere Model 620 tractor with rubber wheels and tires along with the flare side wagon was my Dad’s toy as a youngster. It was acquired through the local John Deere dealer at the time, A.J. Halliwill. The toy was a mid-1950s release by Ertl, so it’s been a long-time family favorite. These toys have been through rough play with visible wear, but I’ve kept them in their original condition,” Mike said.
Mike holds dear two of his original toys; the International Model 1456 and the International Model 1466; made by Ertl. Both tractors have cabs with duals. These were gifts as a child and worked hard by Mike in his play-farm production. “I hope to have these restored some day as they provided endless hours of play time as a youngster,” Mike shared.
While somewhat nondescript, the cherished gift from Mike’s aunt is the tractor-trailer with a pup. The TC/Trans Con rig is made of tin and built in Japan with an unknown scale, but a unique collector item. “This model probably doesn’t have a lot of value. It came to me in the condition shown in the attached picture. With it being a gift from my aunt, it’s quite unique,” he noted.
Mike’s Background
As mentioned earlier, Mike worked away on his grandfather’s farm. He was however involved in rural youth activities. His projects throughout the four years of 4-H and FFA were market lambs.
Mike and Jeri married in 1994. They settled in next door to Mike’s parents south of Bucyrus, Ohio where they raised their two children, Dustin and Hannah.
Bucyrus is the seat for Crawford County, a northcentral Ohio county. Crawford County was formed in 1820. It was named after the Revolutionary War hero, Colonel William Crawford, who was eventually burned at the stake by Delaware Indians in retaliation for the Gnadenhutten Massacre of 1782. The county is situated at the eastern edge of the great corn-belt. With the county being heavily rural, the fertile prairie soil provides prosperous crop farming. Hog farming is the dominate livestock enterprise throughout Crawford County.
Mike’s father, John, worked for a local utility company for several years. In 1973, John started Zeigler Electrical Service. At 13 years of age, Mike started tagging along with his dad as a helper. At the age of 18 and following high school graduation in 1992, Mike started working for the business full time.
Mike recounted those lingering farming desires, “When I worked at my grandfather’s farm I was involved in all aspects. Grandpa milked Holstein cows, so I helped with milking. His principle crops were corn, wheat, hay and soybeans. Naturally, these crops required bailing straw and hay. And then, having market lambs for fair projects helped me connect with the farm.
Through our family business, we do residential, commercial and agriculture related electrical work. Although I am involved with all phases, I prefer doing work for farmers. Grain farming is heavy in our surrounding community, so there is always work relating to grain handling systems and grain dryers. This provides another avenue to stay associated with agriculture.”
Notable Reflections
The casual collector can easily fall out of the loop in staying current with new releases. Mike commented, “I’ve probably missed some opportunities by not following closely the information about new releases. I’m still interested, but collecting at my own pace.
“There are several outlets that have helped me locate ag equipment replicas of interest, including; farm equipment dealers, farm toy shows and the Toy Farmer magazine. The models I’ve missed will likely show up some day at a farm toy event.
“I appreciate the added detail that is being incorporated in today’s farm equipment models, but they cost considerably more. Again, that is why I’ve focused on the 1:32 scale versions; less space and lower cost.
“When collecting, make certain to keep the boxes your models come in. Mine are stored away in safe keeping, away from moisture and dust. I also protect my models as they are displayed in dust proof cases with glass front doors. Collectables covered with dust quickly lose their value.
“Someday I hope to pass the collection onto my children or their children, if that comes to pass. Until then, I’m enjoying the hobby and the opportunity to interact with others who have a like interest.”
About the author: Fred Hendricks owns SunShower Acres, Ltd. of Bucyrus, Ohio, a dairy cattle consulting business. Mr. Hendricks is a freelance writer on subjects related to agriculture. He may be contacted at email: fwhendricks@gmail.com.