The Haney

Kevin Fay and son Hayden have been “oddball” collectors all along. At least since they started collecting in 2011. The term oddball may seem derogatory, but it isn’t. Its just the label for unordinary or unusual tractors.

One tractor, of the many, in the Fay collection is a 1948 Haney. The machine was only in production for one year Haney tractors left the Philiaphia PA plant powered by a 8 horse Western engine backed by a three speed transmission. The Fay’s tractor has been repowered with a Wisconsin Twin. The tractor was mostly used for drawbar work but this one is equipped with a belt pulley

This Haney was origonally owned by Kevin’s wife’s grandfather. He had restored it in the 90s. This gentleman was also the inspiration for Kevin to start collecting.

The grandfather was an early pioneer to tractor collecting. He,was one of three, who founded the Vintage Tractor Club in 1994. His amassed collection began to be sold before they family was offered their choices to keep tractors. Unfortunately Kevin’s choice, the Haney, had been sold.

According to Grandmother, The Haney went to a collector in Kentucky. In reality the tractor went to Ohio. Fellow “odd ball” collector Joe Lofink had it. Joe in fact gets credit for the repower. Joe eventually sold the Haney to another “oddball” collector Carl Hauger.

It’s notable to understand, there are a limited number of oddball collectors like the tractors themselves. The collectors tend to know one another. One might not exactly know what someone else has in their private collection, however. Kevin and Carl live within an hour of each other, know each other, but Kevin didn’t discover Carl owned the Haney. That is until the day after Carl had sold it!

Despite Kevin’s effort, after he had finally located the Haney, He wasn’t able to make a purchase. The Maryland buyer wouldn’t sell. After a year the Maryland man finally decided to let it go, and Kevin FINALLY secured the tractor in his collection. After a many  year search the machine returned to the family.

Kevin shared with me that he, wife, and Hayden surprised Grandmother with the fact they had secured the tractor. Grandmother initially was thinking they were going to make a different announcement for her surprise, Grandmother figured they were telling her that Kevin’s wife was pregnant. Kevin never gave me a straight answer whether she was disappointed no baby was due, but she was happy to see Kevin had secured the tractor.