By Fred Hendricks
When talking with most farm toy hobbyists, they will reference their collection. John Rindfuss views his involvement quite different.
“I’m an accumulator and not really a collector. My model tractors just started showing up without any real plan or direction. The first tractor I bought was a used 1967 Farmall Model 806. The day I bought that tractor, there was a 1:16 scale die-cast replica on the dealer’s shelf so I bought it to go along with the real tractor. I always liked that ole tractor so I have fond memories of it. Although I did not farm with John Deere tractors, I liked the Model 5010. With that interest, I bought a 1:16 scale die-cast Model 5010 for my wife, Carol, when our first son was born. After that, I started picking up a toy tractor here and there. Family members gave them to me along the way as gifts. So now, I’ve accumulated quite a few toy tractors and implements,” John related.
John and Carol Rindfuss have farmed all their lives in the lush prairie lands of north central Ohio. John reflected, “Although Carol and I were born the same day in the same Bucyrus hospital, she did not catch my eye until years later. Carol grew up in the city, whereas I was a farm boy. We had a common interest though. That was cruz’n the streets of Bucyrus during our high school years. With my interest in cars back then, I kid Carol that the fancy car she was driving caught my eye before I noticed her. Things fell into place and we married in 1969. And we farmed with my parents. Carol has been a wonderful mother and great farming partner. She enjoyed helping with the field work, no matter the task. God has provided well so we can’t ask for more.”
Bucyrus is known as the Bratwurst Capital of America. The community celebrates this claim with an annual festival. The festive event commemorates Bucyrus German heritage. Residents of Wisconsin claimed their state as the bratwurst capital. However, in the early 1970s Bucyrus took on Sheboygan, Wisconsin in a “Battle of the Brats” and won the title of Bratwurst Capital of America. The measuring stick in making this claim is unknown, but the folks in Bucyrus still make the declaration as the capital for sausage made from finely chopped meat.
Early Days
John grew up working alongside his dad. Woven between school activities, including youth organizations like FFA and 4-H, John helped wherever he could on the farm. The first serious tractor driving assignment for John came at twelve years of age. “I had ridden with Dad countless hours so I thought I knew how things should be done. I remember the day Dad sent me out to plow for the first time. Dad trusted my ability so I felt really grown up. I drove our Farmall M pulling a three-bottom John Deere rope-tripped plow. That was a special day and one I’ll never forget. We fed cattle for a number of years, but a barn fire destroyed those facilities and we never built back,” John shared.
Working with tractors and field equipment set the stage for John’s farm toy accumulation. Although John has a passion for the iconic Farmall, International and Case-IH red he deviated for a period. John noted, “Dad had a John Deere Model B, but for the most part we farmed with Farmall and International tractors. There was a period when we drifted away. Dad had an Allis-Chalmers Model 190XT. We also worked the fields for a short time with a Massey-Ferguson Model 1150 tractor, but soon went back to International and then Case-IH. It’s hard to beat the Case-IH service we get from our nearby dealer, Burkhart Farm Center.”
Accumulation Growth
John does not confess to growing his accumulation, but it does expand. “After a few toy replicas started piling up around me, I reflected on what I had. My first priority was building cases where I could enjoy the models while keeping them clean. With that task recently completed, I’ve moved on to the next priority. My focus is two-fold. First, the Farmall red is the most appealing paint color. And second, I’m not trying to acquire everything with that color scheme. I’m primarily interested in tractor and implement models we farmed with. Between Dad and me we’ve gone through a lot of equipment over the last 70 years. Models were not made for all of them, but there’s still a lot that could be added to my accumulation so the hunt goes on.
I always have something on my short list to track down. I’m currently looking for the 1:16 scale Silver King Model 41 row-crop version. That tractor was built in nearby Plymouth, Ohio and it was a blast to drive particularly on the open road with its high speed. We got great service from our Massey-Ferguson Model 1150 with the V-8 engine. A replica of that ole workhorse would surely look nice alongside the other tractors on my shelves,” he remarked.
Every collector can point to their favorite pieces scattered across the display shelves. And while John talks about a special model, there is a story to go with many more. “The 1:16 scale die-cast Farmall Model 806 launched it all so it’s pretty special. The first tractor I bought new was an International 2+2 Model 3588. The day I bought that tractor, the dealer gave me three 1:16 scale models; one for me and one each for our two sons. I still have the original tractor so the scale model fits in quite nicely.
One of our early small-grain combines was a pull-type Massey-Harris Clipper. The 1:16 scale die-cast version of this combine manufactured by Reuhl remains in original condition among the implements. When Dad bought the Allis-Chalmers Model 190XT as a new tractor, he also picked up the 1:16 scale die-cast replica made by Ertl. Dad planted with the Farmall Model H that was outfitted with an under-mounted two-row corn planter. When I saw Ertl’s 1:16 scale precision model of that setup I couldn’t resist. The detail is great, including the check wire brackets on both sides. We acquired a used International dozer with a Drott blade that worked good in handling heavy jobs, including clearing wooded areas. Ertl’s 1:16 scale die-cast Model TD-14D Diesel is a near replica of that old outfit. I proudly display it among my accumulated toys,” John stated.
My cousin had a nice group of 1:16 scale John Deere toys. When they move away and lost interest in them, my Aunt offered them to me. We got together on a price so they occupy a special section in my farm office,” John explained.
Notes of Interest
If you gather things in one realm, you are likely to find a few other things of interest. The accumulation bug has spilled over into original tractors and automobiles for John. “I’ll admit to having a number of old relics in the barns. The antique tractors include: a 1942 John Deere Model A, a Case Model SC from the early 1950s, a Massey-Harris Model 44 six-cylinder with a converted Henry J engine made by Continental, an International Model 706 from the 
mid-1960s, a restored Farmall Model Super C, the 1979 International 2+2 Model 3588 and five automobiles,” he indicated.
John has a gift for building farm equipment, wood working and more, but tinkering with farm toys has not occurred. “People give me more credit than I deserve when it comes to making things. I’ve enjoyed creating a variety of things and we’ve gotten good service from them. I fully appreciate the craftsmanship I find in custom and scratch-built farm toys. I haven’t had interest in doing that, primarily because I don’t have the proper equipment to complete the job right,” he lamented.
John shared these thoughts about the next generation, “As our youngest son, Mike, is phasing out of his full-time employment in Tiffin, Ohio, he is taking over the farming operation. Both of Mike’s sons are with him every step of the way when he’s working at the farm. Or they’ll be here with grandpa and grandma when Mike is working away at his other job and we’re busy in the field. The boys also have their carpet farm in the basement. If possible, they’ve already worn out the first 1:64 scale tractors we gave them. The oldest of the boys, Thomas, may become the next farmer in our family. He loves every aspect of farming. As they show interest in collecting (not accumulating), I may assist them through the experience I’ve gained. Although they’ve enjoyed playing with the 1:64 scale toys, I believe the larger scale replicas will hold their value better. I think it would be good to start by collecting models of the lesser known tractors and short line equipment. In the event those companies falter, the boys will have models that are rare and very collectable.”
John went on to say, “Accumulating farm toys provides a sense of nostalgia. It’s a snapshot of yesteryear with a glimpse into the past. With my models covering a wide range of time, I gain an appreciation for the progress made in the technology of farming equipment. The farm equipment models of today have so much more detail and greater accuracy compared to those early toys. I believe that most collectors are farmers or people with a connection to farming. Unfortunately as the number of farmers decrease, there may be fewer collectors. It has become an enjoyable hobby for me. And, I’ve met numerous and interesting people through my involvement.”
For those interested in learning more about the Rindfuss Farm’s Passion for Red, you may reach John via email @ jfuss@wavelinc.com.
About the author: Fred Hendricks owns SunShower Acres, Ltd. of Bucyrus, Ohio, a dairy cattle consulting business. Mr. Hendricks is a farm toy enthusiasts and a freelance writer. He may be contacted at email: fwhendricks@gmail.com.