December 21, 2009
Oldies but goodies
M.E. Miller Tire harvests big bucks selling hard-to-find, antique farm tires
By: Mike Manges
Authentic, model-specific tires are important to most antique farm tractor collectors, says Ed Miller, co-owner of M.E. Miller Tire Co. in Wauseon, Ohio. “You ask them, ‘What’s more important to you: brand or tread design?’ and they usually say tread design.”
I tell people we sell a few tires out of an old barn between two corn fields out in the country.” If there was an award given for Understatement of the Year, Ed Miller would be in the running to win it.
In addition to selling medium truck, passenger and new farm tires, Miller’s dealership, M.E. Miller Tire Co. in Waueson, Ohio — which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2010 — may very well be the largest distributor of antique farm tires in the country, possibly the world.
In the close-knit realm of antique farm equipment collectors and restorers, where word-of-mouth is king, the company is the definitive source for out-of-production rubber.
Need a front tire for your 1938 Allis Chalmers B? Miller , who runs M.E. Miller Tire with his sister, Bev, can get it for you. Looking for a rear tire to replace the old, worn-out rubber on your 1955 John Deere 40? Ed’s your man.
“We’ve always specialized in ag tires,” says the easy-going Miller, who once farmed the ground on which his shop now sits. “We know the farm tire market.”
Blast from the past
Farm tire sales and service comprised 67% of M.E. Miller Tire’s business in 2008. Antique tire sales made up 47% of that percentage.
The dealership’s antique farm tire business has come a long way since 1989, when Ed read an article in Successful Farming magazine about a farmer who used old tractors — equipped, naturally, with antique tires — to till his fields.
In the same issue, Ed also read about a big antique tractor swap meet to be held in Iowa later that year. He decided to attend the event.
Sign up for our Enews and receive the latest news, trends, and product information right in your e-mail inbox.