Iconic tractor collection to go under the hammer

Len Hanks has spent a lifetime living on the land and working his farm with his beloved Ferguson tractors. Now his impressive collection is for sale.

When 89-year-old Len Hanks was 17, his father bought a Ferguson tractor home to their farm in South Gippsland’s Meeniyan.

It was the beginning of what would become a lifelong journey for Len, who has since spent decades gathering a vast collection of vintage tractors – predominantly Fergusons – and other mechanical engines.

But now the sprawling collection of about 30 vehicles, along with a number of other farm vehicles, will be auctioned off at an upcoming clearing sale next month.

Among the many heritage tractors at the sale include a 1934 International McCormack Deering W12, a 1948 International McCormack Deering AW6, a 1958 Massey Ferguson 65 MK1, and a 1942 John Deere Model B.

“I’d always been interested in collecting something,” Len said.

“I couldn’t decide whether it would be motorbikes, or cars … but I’d worked with tractors all my life.

“I just like tinkering.”

Len, who was made a life member of the Henry Ferguson Tractor Club in 2016, is discerning with what he’ll buy and what is worth restoring.

“They’ve got to have potential. They can’t be wrecks” Len said.

Len Hanks, 89, with his tractor collection, Meeniyan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“They can’t have too much rust, because you have to replace panels then. But anything mechanical, I can fix.”

The oldest model he has is a 1934 model, “it’s only two years older than me”, and restores the vehicles in his workshop using skills he learned as a young man.

“I’m only self-taught, and you’re only as good as the people you mix with.”

Len Hanks, 89, with his tractor collection, Meeniyan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

For Len, not only is a Ferguson tractor an iconic vehicle, but was essential to many producers in South Gippsland clearing land that would otherwise have been unable to be farmed on, due to heavy forest and bushland.

Len Hanks, 89, with his tractor collection, with Ferguson FE 35, 1957, Meeniyan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

“They were so well-built, and each one was a development on the one before,” Len said.

“All the farmers of South Gippsland, and a lot of Tasmania, owe a lot to the Fergie.”

The dispersal sale will be held February 15.