Jon Kinzenbaw

CEO & Chairman of the Board (Founder), Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.

Search every verified Jon Kinzenbaw interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Jon Kinzenbaw, founder and CEO of Kinze Manufacturing, has been active in sharing stories from his personal tractor collection and his company’s history through a series of video interviews with Tractor Zoom and Successful Farming. In these appearances, Kinzenbaw recounted how he began collecting tractors with a Farmall B, which he modified with a second seat and clutch to create a “driver’s ed tractor” for his children. He also discussed his early repowering work, including a John Deere 5020 and a 6030 combined to build a twin-frame tractor he called “Big Blue,” which he later sold to DMI and then bought back. Kinzenbaw noted that he sold about 100 duplicate tractors from his collection at an auction in November 2025, and he stated that his hobby has always been collecting tractors when he is not working. Kinzenbaw also spoke about his company’s approach to manufacturing and competition. He said that he makes a point of staying involved in farming, including operating planters and grain carts, and that he believes this hands-on experience sets Kinze apart from larger competitors. He criticized what he described as overly complicated electronics on modern equipment and expressed a preference for simpler designs. Regarding a letter from John Deere, Kinzenbaw said that the company’s legal department had asked him to stop using the “5050” model designation on a tractor he built, and he characterized the letter as an attempt to intimidate a smaller, innovative company. He also stated that Kinze builds its equipment in the Midwest and that he sees no reason to send manufacturing work outside the United States.