Antique Tractor Gets Trenton Teacher National Attention

Bryan Monaco became interested in engines in high school after taking a small-engine repair class.

"If it has an engine--I'm interested in it," Monaco said.

Monaco, automotive technology teacher at Trenton High School, collects and restores antique lawn equipment. One of Monaco's prized tractors--a 1969 Hahn Eclipse GT700--was featured in the January/February issue of "Lawn & Garden Tractor Magazine."

Monaco purchased the Hahn from a friend and college schoolmate Zac Winstead. Winstead grew up in Evansville, IN, which was once home to the Hahn factory, and his interest in the yellow tractors soon spread to Monaco.

In June 2012, Monaco, Winstead and another friend who owns an antique Hahn tractor, Kevin Burton, attended the 2012 Lawn & Garden Tractor Extravaganza in Evansville, where they met Kate Goelzhauser, a writer for "Lawn & Garden Tractor Magazine."

It was here that Goelzhauser said she decided to feature the three friends in the magazine article. In the article, Goelzhauser said Monaco's booth at the extravaganza was, "probably the largest collection of Hahn garden equipment ever on display."

"She was so interested in our collection she decided to write about it," Monaco said.

Monaco, Winstead and Burton hauled their tractors to Evansville in October to meet with Goelhauser to be interviewed for the magazine and for a photo shoot. All three tractors were featured on the cover of the magazine.

Monaco said antique tractors and lawnmowers fill nearly every inch of his garage in Taylor including a 1947 Farmall A and several early engine-powered push-mowers.

Monaco said he is one of only a handful of Hahn aficionados in the world and he likes it that way.

"It's fun," Monaco said. "The people (who collect Hahn tractors) are fun. Generally, the people that collect them and work on them are not, particularly, the hardcore serious-type people. They're more the laid-back enthusiast."

The resale value of an antique Hahn tractor, even in prestine condition like Monaco's, is typically not more than about $200, but Monaco said his collection isn't about making money.

"It's generally not something where you're going to make a lot of money," Monaco said. "People aren't in it for money. People are in it for fun."

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