Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1544539
DYERSVILLE, Iowa – In a northeastern Iowa community best known as home of baseball's Field of Dreams and the National Farm Toy Museum, Paul Helle and Helle Implement are well-known in their own right among those who love Allis-Chalmers. Helle's history with the brand goes back more than 80 years, to the WC his dad farmed with. Helle later purchased his first tractor – a D17 – in fall 1977 from Taucke Implement, a business he later took over. Helle still operates Helle Farm Equipment, now an AGCO/ Gleaner and New Holland dealership, along with collecting and farming with A-C. Born on a farm east of Dyersville in 1944, Helle was raised in town, as his parents exited farming the following year and moved the family. Helle helped his dad with his livestock business and worked on a relative's farm. In 1962, just out of high school, Helle got a job in set-up and sales at Taucke Implement (formerly G.J. Taucke and Sons), the local A-C dealership, and worked his way up through the business into parts a couple years later. He and his brother Bob bought the business and started Helle Farm Equipment in 1983. By the following year, they had put up a new building. Helle's three sons joined the business – Mike works in parts, Randy handles the shop, and Phil is in sales and repair. The Helles have stayed with the A-C brand through the decades, starting with Allis- Chalmers, then Deutz-Allis and now AGCO. During the Deutz-Allis years, some farmers asked that their tractors be painted orange, Helle said. They also have stuck with New Holland and New Idea from the start, he adds. They, like many other dealerships, have seen equipment get bigger and more complex over time. Along with that, farmers' tractor and implement needs have changed, and the Helles have adjusted accordingly. AGCO has been good to work with, according to Helle. As is fitting for a dealership located in the Farm Toy Capital of the World, Helle Farm Equipment, particularly Bob, is heavily involved in farm toys and getting new toys produced. They have sold many toys through the years and spearheaded the making of many special toys cherished by collectors. A longtime member of The Allis Connection, Helle said he never planned to collect full-sized A-C tractors; his hobby just kind of snowballed as the result of owning a dealership. Among his A-C collection are a few Olivers and lawn-and-garden pieces. Currently in his home shop is a project 6080. Helle also uses A-C's around his farm, which includes about 14 head of beef cattle and 13 tillable acres. He opens cornfields using a 150 picker, finishing the field with a one-row New Idea. After he and wife Stella got married in 1968, they lived on his dad's farm. Ten years later, they moved to Living the dream Dealership owner lives out A-C ambitions in Dyersville By Old Allis News staff Stella and Paul Helle are pictured inside their home shop. Above is his D Series lineup. 32 OLD ALLIS NEWS