Marvin and Shari Hintz of Seymour bought this tractor brand new in fall 1976 for $21,000 from Wegner Implement of Denmark. The tractor is a 1977 John Deere 4430 delivered on Feb. 17, 1977. It was their first new cab tractor and came loaded with a power-shift transmission, air conditioning and AM/FM stereo radio with an eight-track tape player.

At 135 PTO horsepower, it was the main tractor on the dairy farm used for chopping and heavy tillage on 400 acres until the cows were sold in the late 1990s. 

Their son Terry was just a small boy when it arrived, but it was his pride and joy. When Terry got older, he took the 4430 tractor-pulling, which is why it had a chrome muffler. Terry died in 2010. The tractor was showing its age after 38 years of service, so in loving memory of Terry, the tractor was professionally restored back to its former glory.

It was completely torn down, repaired, sandblasted, repainted and outfitted with a new cab interior. The tractor also received new AC, 18.4-42 radials, replacing the old 20.8-38 tires, and a chrome muffler. More modern decals were made to go with the new paint job. And as a crowning touch, the genuine dealer emblem was placed back in its original position. 

Marvin still farms 900 acres, but when the tractor was finished, he felt it had paid its dues and was now too pretty to go back into battle. As part of his collection of John Deere tractors, Marvin displays the 4430 at parades and fairs. Bob King submitted this information and photo.

To have your favorite tractor featured, send in a photo of yourself with your tractor, along with a 150-word write-up about the tractor to: Wisconsin Agriculturist, P.O. Box 236, Brandon, WI 53919.

LOOKING GOOD: After a full restoration, the John Deere 4430 owned by Marvin and Shari Hintz of Seymour looks just as good as it did when the couple bought it new in 1976.