Olivers and brethern from Half Century of Progress at Rantoul

If you look closely at the first two you should notice the four garden tractors are Oliver, White, Minneapolis-Moline, and Cockshutt.  That is one RARE collection of garden tractors. The Oliver and Cockshutt are model 75s. While the other two are 107s.  The kids sitting with the garden tractors told me all four are the same tractor.  From the looks of it, I believe them.

 That 1800 is beyond restored.  Great job.

 This 125 is supposed to be rare because of the transmission. I took a picture of the underside to help me remember why it is rare but the pic did not turn out.

 For the Cletrac fans.

 Here are two more nice restorations.  Was there a different "white" used at the factory or is one of these tractors off in color?

 I love these things - the redheaded stepchildren of tractors.

 This 2255 was still in workclothes.  Sounded like a dream when that kid fired it up.

 These were in the same collection as the 2255.

 The kids in front of Olivers lined up to pick corn. That bottom pic is all Oliver, wagon included.

My daughter and Jon Kinzenbaw at Half Century of Progress

 

Thanks to my wife Audrey got to meet Jon Kinzenbaw, the creator of the machine below.

33 hours until Rantoul

http://www.halfcenturyofprogress.org/

One of the biggest tractor shows in the USA started today.  We will be heading there Saturday morning with the hopes of seeing Kinze's Big Blue.

This tractor has TWO engines - one in the normal position and one under the cab.  I have trouble believing that cab is a cool ride! 
 I was told I needed a golf cart to tour this show but I had to call ahead of time to rent one.  $75.  We are taking the bikes.  I need the exercise anyway.  I am going to keep this short in hopes that the next one will have loads of pictures, videos and stories.

I have a cat. Sort of.

   

For the first time in nearly 30 years I almost have a cat.  Actually it is my neighbor's cat but it has been living over here ever since my neighbor burnt it. 

      Earlier this summer I went across the road to help my neighbor Gary, he was moving some equipment around to load his planter.  He started a grain truck that he was using to carry a 1,000 gal water tank, fertilizer and seed.  The belts on that truck started squealing like a steam engine locking-up the brakes on a downhill grade.  Gary cut the engine and I realized that squealing was the sound of a cat.  

      While I stood with my fly catcher stuck wide open and brain in low gear Gary jumped out of the truck and popped the hood.  The cat (named Bonesy) was in the worst position possible.  He was stuck between the two hottest parts of the engine - the block and the exhaust manifold.  Literally stuck.  All four paws were running in midair.  Had Bonesy been on the ground he would have outrun every dog that had ever lived.  As it was, he was doing nothing except making it harder for Gary to get a hold on him.  Gary did get him out quickly.  The fur was burnt in several places, a few spots all the way to the skin.  Bonesy quickly fought free and ran off for the next 3 weeks.  

      We found Bonesy in our barn lot and took him back across the road twice a month ago.  Last Friday my wife was showing one of her friends our barn lot when Bonesy appeared again.  This time he stayed around until I got home from work.  He looks to be healed but malnourished so I gave him some meatloaf.  And again on Saturday.  Again on Sunday.  Monday he was AWOL.  Last night he was back.  Tonight he showed up in the back yard after dinner and hung out for a half hour.  The picture above and below were taken an hour after that when he made a run for the water bowl.  

   Did I mention my son and I are allergic to cats? 

Huh. I forgot to hit publish.

Last week I wrote what I thought was a nice article detailing why I needed a tractor of my own to enjoy instead of mom and dad's.  I explained how color was not as important as the model and model was not really that important as money was my biggest concern.  I even went through the reasons of why a non-runner would not be a bad thing as I would have some time this winter to get it running.  I read the preview of the post and then promptly did something else.  Never hit the publish post. 

 So I guess it is not meant to be - at least right now.  But keep me in mind for that thing that has been sitting back there covered in whatever.  I might be just the guy to take it off your hands.  If I can get it on the trailer. 

Greatest Dad EVER!!! For today.

Last week I bought a go kart frame with 4 wheels and tires.  3-10" tires, 1-11".  3-5" rims, 1-6 rims.  3 knobby lawn mower tires, 1 slicker road course tire.  So today I head up to the town wide garage sale to find some sort of combination and an engine.  Instead I found this:

This thing MOVES.  Thankfully both kids are still scared of it. That will keep them safe until we get a couple of helmets.

This one is for Chad Watts

Chad is a childhood friend who has a 1959 Oliver 550.  This isn't it but if memory serves this ought to be close.  I think his might have the exhaust routed underneath the axle.  Tractordata.com has this listed as being produced from 1958 to 1975.  17 years for a single model to be produced is a pretty good track (or field) record.  Chad said he mostly uses his 550 for snow plowing and mowing and will put it in a show with proper arm twisting.

Tippecanoe Steam and Gas Show 2011 part 5

Finally, here are a few of my favorite pictures from the show.

Tippecanoe Steam and Gas Show 2011 part 4

The previous videos were really fun to shoot as I knew one of the participants.  Eric Miller, a Purdue University grad student, is seen tossing the wheat into the thresher.  Eric is one of those who will charm you with his "Aww shucks" attitude while slapping a "kick me"  sign on your backside, but still a hard worker through and through.
  I took 72 photos and videos so I probably won't post them all.  Here are a couple to give you a little scope of the size of the event.

The live demonstration scene was pretty involved - especially for the shelling.

Tippecanoe Steam and Gas Show 2011 part 3

Tippecanoe Steam and Gas Show 2011 part 2

Tippecanoe Steam and Gas Show 2011 part 1