Antique tractors vs warbirds...

[davidbray]

So I'm sitting here writing a cover letter to go with my new resume, I have had a passion for old mechanical items for a long time. One of the first tractors I ever drove was a Farmall C. The first aircraft I ever sat in was a UH-1 that had mechanical issues and had to land in one of our hay fields when I was 3ish. I still remember getting to sit in the helicopter and wear the helmet.

But what this is really about is this question... which area has more anoraks? I was at an antique tractor show a couple years ago with my dad, and saw a tractor that didn't look quite right... before I could stop myself I said "that tractor is the wrong color." I didn't think about it again until today. There are other examples just from my dad and I (wrong carburetors etc.)

[Django]

I think with something like antique tractors or cars, there is a way they came originally and a wrong way when you're talking about restorations. The tractors and cars generally only came 1 way so it's easy to know right away what is correct and what isn't. The warbirds are a whole different ball game because of all the markings, field mods, etc. As for who is the bigger geek, I couldn't say. I like them both.

Grew up in the '70s/80s on the family farm, but it was stuck in about 1960, which I am really thankful for today. Our brand was Minneapolis Moline. After my uncle died in '85 we rented out the fields but still have all the tractors. Six MM and 1 '29 Fordson.

I really would like to have one of the R's someday, but living in a major metropolitan area, I'm not sure where I would put it, or what I would do with it beyond the yearly parade.

[LadyO2Pilot]

Interesting question.....have both warbird (and have flown ones owned by others) and antique tractors. The "family" has 10 (counting on fingers now ) 7 Farmalls, 2 Olivers and 1 John Deere. There anoraks on both sides. All I know is the tractors cost less to own, restore, repair and operate But both warbirds and tractors are fun and they can live together. Currently my aircraft tow/tug vehicle is a Farmall A.

[davidbray]

Interesting question.....have both warbird (and have flown ones owned by others) and antique tractors. The "family" has 10 (counting on fingers now ) 7 Farmalls, 2 Olivers and 1 John Deere. There anoraks on both sides. All I know is the tractors cost less to own, restore, repair and operate But both warbirds and tractors are fun and they can live together. Currently my aircraft tow/tug vehicle is a Farmall A.

Yes, the tractors are much cheaper to own. We have 2, I would love to be able to find an Oliver 88 to restore with my dad someday. We currently have a Farmall C and a Farmall Super H. The Super H has always been in our family since the day it was delivered from the factory. We fully restored it, engine overhaul that I did and an amazing paint job by a guy that my dad used to work with. The C just has the paint done. They are fun to be sure. The problem now is finding storage for them, we moved a few years ago into town.

[LadyO2Pilot]

The problem now is finding storage for them, we moved a few years ago into town.

Oh just put em hangars with the other toys Seriously, the one A I have in hangar with my plane and the rest are in another hangar with other planes.

[Second Air Force]

I spent my first thirty-odd years sitting on various two-cylinder John Deeres working on our farm. I love 'em all and wish I could have kept the whole "fleet". Dad and I used to drag 1930s/1940s A, B, and G models home and repair/rebuild them in the winter. And yes, I am pretty picky about the restored ones--accuracy is important on these, too!

It's probably kind of silly, but I still remember the serial number of my '36 A.......427326!

[Nathan]

I used to own a Farmall Super H and my dad had two John Deere "A"'s. Farming is still in my blood.

BUT....this is what I own now. Bought a few months ago. It's a Cub Cadet International 1650 with a Kohler 16 hp engine. It's a very popular model and made in the 70's. Not really rare but not common these days. Can do anything. Currently fixing her up some so she will last me longer.