WMT's Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade 2013 - Day 3 Finish

Day three of WMT's Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade 2013 concluded at noon today after a trip from Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids to nearby Swisher, Shueyville and Ely. This was the third loop in three days of riding from Hawkeye Downs to various locations nearby. Interesting note to self: On day 3 the Tractorcade runs a short route as to be back to the starting point by noonish. Above is the second to last group of tractors heading for home base. 

Ron and Jamie Ginkens of Chariton, Iowa load their 1963 Farmall on a flatbed trailer for the 140 mile trip home. After tying down the tractor Ron and Jamie made their way to the Tractorcade luncheon on the Hawkeye Downs property.

Ron told me this was the last production model for the 560 which actually sold into 1964. A decade later he bought this Farmall as his working tractor. Now, after refurbishing the tractor he parades the 50 year old machinery any place he can.

Some 530 tractors and riders made their way around eastern Iowa for three days. The weather was perfect with only today's potential for severe weather developing. Many farmers left the grounds as soon as they returned from the loop today to get ahead of the weather. But the balance of the riders and their supporters came in for a brat and hamburger lunch. Many will see each other in other regional tractorcades this summer. Radio station sisters WMT (Cedar Rapids) and WHO (Des Moines) both sent announcers to the site for live updates and interviews. Check it out next time when Tractorcade rolls near you. Sunday staging photos here.

WMT's Tractorcade 2013 Ready to Roll on Monday Morning

Radio station WMT (600 AM) annual Tractorcade is ready to roll. The procession of new and vintage tractors staged this evening at Hawkeye Downs in preparation of running three routes in three days. 

Staging for the three day event was made convenient on the Hawkeye Downs property and nearby hotels. Each day will find the drivers covering a different route in eastern, Iowa but returning to Cedar Rapids by evening using a hub & spoke logistics plan.

If you encounter a column of these slow moving tractors be sure to slow down or pull over over and watch them. You'll see a wide range of tractor brands from several decades. I saw a hand crank Oliver from the 1940s and late model John Deeres on the track, both shined and ready to go.

Update: Day 3 photos here.

Moline's Seasonal Rest

Warm autumn weather has given Iowa farmers time to finish the harvest and condition their fields. I found this older (some say antique) Moline-brand tractor and rusted pull plough positioned on a field's edge. Together they finished field preparation and await more warmer weather for beginning spring planting in about four months.

Restoring Minneapolis Moline Tractors

Each year a group of Minneapolis Moline enthusiasts meet to exchange stories and parade their yellow tractors in area events. "Restoring tractors is half the fun of owning one," a guy on this tractor told me. He was trying to replace the steering wheel. His son grew impatient holding the wheel while his dad tried to unhinge the bolts.

When assembled and painted the restored farm tractors look like they did in 1929 and ending in the 1960s when they rolled off assembly lines. More examples of restored Minneapolis Moline tractors can be seen annually at the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. From the grandstand and parade grounds you can experience a wide variety of American made tractor brands spanning steam to diesel power. This year the event is August 30th through September 3rd.

Late Season Field Work Moves Along the Road

Just ten days ago these scenes were typical of area rural roads around 42N country. I was going to use the intro, "You know you are in Iowa when you see..." but I'm guessing this happens all around the northern US and Canada while the weather is still good. What I observed on this day was a combination of corn harvest and distribution plus some field preparation for next season.

Obviously when tooling around in your latest version of the Model A, be on the lookout for these giant field machines. Sometimes a caravan of vehicles accompany these slow movers from one field to another. Usually the slow moving tractors don't travel long distances and will try to help you navigate around them. Field preparation and harvest season may be finished for the season with many fields cleared and snowy weather predicted soon. Know that. 

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part III

Lots of heavy machinery paraded before the grandstand at the 2011 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa over the Labor Day weekend. This bad boy made a lot of noise from steam valves and a whistle. The farm field behemoth is basically a boiler on wheels.

Families of tractor owners rode along on these well maintained working machines of days long gone. The kids seemed to enjoy the parade as much as their parents.

The old tractors certainly have a lot of charm, retrospectively speaking. However, look at the open gears, hot boiler accesses, chains links and other hazards on these machines. Its a wonder that anyone survived with all their limbs and various digits in place. Know that.

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part I

For decades the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa has celebrated machinery, animals and people. The three day exhibition runs like a mini state fair complete with food on a stick, named music acts, machinery and process demonstration, and a parade of progress as viewed from the grandstand.

Old and young come to the Labor Day weekend event - many are from machinery or agriculture backgrounds. Plenty of people from all walks of life came out to just enjoy the day.

Food and beverage vendors did quite well this Sunday before Labor Day as the weather was perfect to watch over a hundred years of farm machinery, from steam to gas, pass by the grandstand.

Proud owners of life size and scale model engines took time to explain what their machine did, how it ran, and how they became interested in motor ownership and maintenance. This owner explained how the wide belt running off this motor was used to calibrate the equipment for various loads.

What is a fair without an artist drawing funny faces of the kiddies? This girl tried to sit still while her brother attempted to annoy her. Sound familiar?

While powered machinery helped ease the amount of labor on the farm, it also meant that the operator had additional chores to fill the gap. Early models like this gas powered tractor required big muscles to steer since all the motor generated horsepower went into rotating a flywheel or pulling things rather than into steering. 

At the end of the day the reunion is a celebration of the machinery and people who help put food on our tables from these mid-northern latitudes. Know that.