Shortly after Randall Wegner rented a farm from his grandfather Ben Filenius, he purchased his first new tractor, a 1980 Model 2940 John Deere, from Sales and Service in East Troy, Wis., for $15,500.

“As a demonstrator, it had been on and off the sales lot a few times, so the tachometer showed 112 hours,” says Wegner, Sullivan. “With 85 acres of corn, alfalfa, wheat and 25 cows, it rarely sat idle. I plowed, disked, pulled a 327 John Deere baler and hauled manure in the wintertime, so it served as the ultimate workhorse for the farm.”

Major features include a 5.9-liter, six-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine; 80 hp rating; wide front end; power steering; PTO; three-point rear Type 2 hitch; closed center hydraulics; partial power shift transmission; eight forward and eight reverse gears; wet disc brakes; 101.6-inch wheel base; 33.25-gallon fuel tank; and two lights in the front under the fenders.

This utility tractor was manufactured from 1980 to 1982 in Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The original tachometer now reads 11,000 hours. It has never been overhauled. However, Wegner has replaced the tires several times and added a new seat. Today, the tractor mainly operates a New Holland 1465 9-foot windrower and handles manure hauling chores.

“This machine has good measurability, is dependable, always starts, is handy, versatile and easy to get on and off,” Wegner says. “I would compare the 2940 to a pair of faded blue jeans, durable and well-worn.

“When I walked into that dealership 40 years ago, I nearly bought an International but switched gears because in my mind, the Deere was a better deal. Over time, it truly has become my favorite tractor.”

Persinger writes from Milwaukee, Wis. To have your favorite tractor featured, email or send in a photo of yourself with your tractor, along with a 300-word write-up about the tractor, to [email protected] or Wisconsin Agriculturist, P.O. Box 236, Brandon, WI 53919.