Old Iron Connects Multiple Generations

OMAHA (DTN) -- A collection of more than 50 tractors on display in northwest Iowa has unexpectedly found a larger audience through social media this week.

Fourth-generation farmer Bob Mohr, of Correctionville, Iowa, caught the fever for collecting tractors after restoring one of his father's Allis-Chalmers tractors more than two decades ago.

"It sat next to the corn crib for a long time, and one day I decided, 'I'm gonna restore that.' I just kind of caught a fever, now I've got 50-some of them," he told DTN.

To maintain his vast collection, Bob takes them out periodically and lines them up on his homestead property south of Cushing, Iowa, where others can enjoy them.

"It's a lot of work and I want people to enjoy it," he said.

Bob last displayed the tractors during the COVID-19 pandemic for locals from the Cushing and surrounding areas to drive by and see the collection. This time, Bob enlisted his granddaughter, Regan Kelley, to take pictures and post them on social media.

Regan laughed that her grandfather wasn't exactly sure what the platform was called, but she knew what he meant.

Posting a combination of photos, videos and some heartfelt text, the response on social media was larger than expected. As of Sept. 10, the posts, on Facebook and TikTok, have drawn thousands of viewers and hundreds of reactions and comments.

Regan lived in the farmhouse near the tractor display until she was 6 years old. After moving about 30 minutes away to the Sioux City area, she remained close to her grandparents, Bob and Sue Mohr, maintaining her connection to the farm as she grew up.

Regan and her husband, Zach, remained in the area as her mother battled triple-negative breast cancer. After her mother's death, the couple returned to Correctionville in 2023 -- the place Regan said always felt like home.

In Correctionville, Regan and Zach have four children who love the farm as much as Regan did growing up -- following grandpa around the farm and developing their own connection to family and agriculture.

A mechanic by trade, Zach has also formed a close bond with Bob. Zach helped prepare the tractors for display, repairing water pumps and wiring, replacing parts and getting the machines running.

Zach has become grandpa's "right-hand man" when it comes to tinkering on equipment and tractors, which makes Regan's connection to the farm and the collection that much more special. He also helps Bob during harvest and has taken over the spraying work Bob used to handle.

"Grandpa is a huge role model to Zach. He always says if he can be as half as the man Bob is, he's doing something right," she said.

At 79, Bob hasn't slowed down much. He continues to farm, travels to his grandchildren's sports events and keeps working on his tractor collection.

"I can't sit around and watch TV, so this is what I like to do. I want people to see them. I got a lot of them redone and restored, some I've got to do yet," Bob said.

Since gaining traction on social media, Regan said Bob gets excited when she calls with questions or comments from people online, tapping into the original reason he wanted to share his collection with others.

"He isn't displaying these tractors to boast about what he owns. Collecting tractors is genuinely something he loves, and sharing it with others, hearing their comments and questions, is something he really enjoys."

Some people have driven to the farm to see the collection in person while others have shared personal memories of tractors, farming and family sparked by Regan's posts.

After 50-plus tractors and two decades, Bob isn't finished with his collection yet.

"I just keep working and dreaming about the next one I'm going to get," he said.

Watch Regan's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/…

More photos of the collection: https://www.facebook.com/…

Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @jpusan

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