PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF THIS TRACTOR DONATED TO

THE REPUBLIC COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Tractor History

This tractor has been in the Strnad Family of Munden, Kansas since 1957. First found by an uncle who was a scrap dealer south of Fairbury, Nebraska on Highway 15 and a little west towards a small town called Mahaska, Kansas.

In 1961 the family decided to enter the tractor in the Munden parade for the Kansas Centennial. At that time, the lugs were taken off of the rear wheels so that it could be driven on blacktop streets. It was then driven from the farm, 3 ½ miles into town and back. It stayed there on the farm and was used sparingly.

Family members remember the cab was red and had a door on the back. This “engineer” cab is pictured on the early 25-50’s in literature, while the later tractors had a canopy. It’s no doubt that the factory would probably have configured the tractor any way you wanted it since production was so small.

The tractor was used at threshing demonstrations once in a while through the years. It pulled a thresher in a 1976 United States Centennial demonstration. Ironically, the Strnad Brothers had returned to the spot where they bought the tractor afterwards to retrieve the wooden Minneapolis thresher that had been paired with the tractor for all those years. Once it was bought, they attempted to move it with a John Deere G and pulled it apart. It was subsequently burned on site and the iron was hauled home to make gates and hay feeders.

The tractor was still running according to the family in the late 80’s to early 90’s. The tractor sat on the east side of Munden until sometime in 1998 when it was put in a large grain elevator building. It has been a part of the Strnad family history, as well as that of the town of Munden, Kansas.

Tractor Description

Not often do we get to offer a tractor of such rarity in original, as found condition. Usually a tractor of this scarcity has been in the hands of several collectors throughout the years. Not is the case with this Minneapolis. Quite possibly, you will be the third owner in it’s 100 year plus history.

25-50 serial number 187 is one of the earliest examples known. In 1912 there were just 48 tractors produced. This low serial number leads us to believe that this might be a first year production tractor as all but one of the other 25-50's we have found have serial numbers above 500.

It is in original, as found condition with no restoration. There have been modifications over the years to the tractor. The magneto has been replaced with an early automobile distributor, the carburetor is a Stromberg and the water pump is off of an International 15-30 Titan. All of these modifications were made decades ago, quite possibly in the field when the tractor was in production use.

There are other minor modifications, but nothing major is missing or cobbled that we can see. The brass bell on the front of the tractor was added, but looks circa to the tractor. Probably an engineer missing his steam whistle was the inventor of this addition. The motor is seized. It has been soaking in PB Blaster since we were contacted about selling it. No effort has been made to break it loose. Gearing is in great condition. Please click the link to the video below for a "walk around" of the tractor.

Minneapolis Tractor Video

We have provided numerous photographs and some video to convey the condition of the tractor. Please inspect these thoroughly before bidding. You are also welcome to attend an open house for the tractor on Saturday, May 10^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The tractor is located at 505 South Main Street, Munden, KS. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Aumann Auctions. Our phone number is 217-563-2523.

Rare Minneapolis 25-50