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Authentic Dash Decals For "New Generation" Deeres
Rebuilding a Deere 3020 or 4020? If so, you'll want to get in touch with Roger Ballstadt. The Goodhue, Minnesota farmer has become a decal specialist, one whose work is more authentic than replacements ordered from John Deere itself. Decals have become a profitable sideline for the dairy farmer, one he discovered by a
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Authentic Dash Decals For "New Generation" Deeres TRACTORS Accessories 24-5-40 Rebuilding a Deere 3020 or 4020? If so, you'll want to get in touch with Roger Ballstadt. The Goodhue, Minnesota farmer has become a decal specialist, one whose work is more authentic than replacements ordered from John Deere itself. Decals have become a profitable sideline for the dairy farmer, one he discovered by accident two years ago.
"I was restoring a tractor that had burned up and couldn't find the decals I needed for it," he recalls. "When John Deere changes models, they only continue to make one decal that fits all the models in a line over a 13-14 year period. As a result, a 3010 that had three reverses will only show two if you use the dash decal offered by John Deere."
When he couldn't find what he wanted, Ballstadt created his own decals, following the original design. They looked so good he made up additional ones and began selling them. Today, he specializes in the New Generation 1010 through 5020 series of tractors. He has 9 different decal sets. His dash decal set, consisting of two dash decals and one hydraulic lift decal, sells for $8/set.
Creating a decal is not a simple task. When Ballstadt identifies a decal that is in short supply, he contacts collectors to find an original. Based on the original, Ballstadt painstakingly creates new artwork that he can take to a printer. The entire process can take six months or better. Little differences stand out between the decals, such as line and type variations. The John Deere generic has a dismounting warning on it that didn't appear on the original.
"If I get a request for one I don't have, I try to decide if it is one that will have much demand," explains Ballstradt. "If it's a real low production model, such as a 2020 orchard where there were only 200 produced, it may be easier to help them find an original rather than develop a new one. In one case, a person wanted a particular decal, and I had two sets, so I sold him one."
While Ballstadt enjoys his hobby and plans to expand eventually to include 1970's vintage John Deere tractors, the real payoff is in the people he meets. "I get to talk to people all over the country about tractors and farming," he explains.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Roger Ballstadt, 20325 410th St., Goodhue, Minn. 55027 (ph 651 923-4906)
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