Martin Brothers Implement Co., Roanoke, Illinois, isn't a stranger to the classic machines that have developed into a major hobby or business for many collectors. Five Martin brothers started the business out of a house next to the dealership in 1926. Everything from refrigerators to Jeeps to construction equipment was sold here, including their first order of steel-wheeled tractors that had arrived by railroad from John Deere.

Seventy-five years later, one dealership has spun six, and the Martin organization is among the largest dealer networks in the country. Privately owned by Gary Rogers and his wife, Karen, along with son, Ben, and nephew, Matt Aeschleman, Martins are in their fourth generation and primed for future growth.

However, most dealers don't venture into the two-cylinder business. Some even avoid it. With all the technology and vast array of new products, including yield mapping systems for combines, commercial sprayers, 24-row planters, and more coming, most dealers don't have time but to service the equipment that is current. "We make time for our two cylinder customers," says Ben Rogers.

Martins created a niche in mid-1996 when they began advertising parts for two-cylinder tractors. At first their goal was to decrease the obsolete inventory that had accumulated over the years. This was a huge success, except the dealership found out that they had only half the parts in stock to fill customers orders! They had to subsequently locate the other parts to fill the entire order. "We found a couple of suppliers, but they still weren't enough to fill many orders," admits Rogers, "but we knew we could find more (suppliers) and be a dependable source for collectors."

If collectors haven't done business with Martins, they likely will eventually. And when they do, they may wish they had done so sooner. "We believe we are unique when compared to any other supplier out there in the areas of resources, courtesy, timeliness, and our willingness to do whatever it takes to find a part. Were happy when we can help a customer revive a piece of history," says Rogers.

Contact Martin Brothers, 1520 County Road 2100 East, Roanoke, Illinois 61561. Phone: 1-888-328-7490, 1-309-923-2731. Fax: 1-309-923-2791.