Thoughts From the County Fair

[CaseDC3]

Had my tractor at the County fair last week ,, Had a few thoughts about things
First got me to think about why some folks feel the need to point out flaws in my restoration. Things like not correct fenders or carb etc.. Do they think I don't know that? I used what was best available. But others remark on how they prefer to see "working" tractors the ones held together with duct tape and dirt.. Do they think that my tractor was never used?
That got me thinking.. so I wrote this story.. Enjoy
A tractors life story..

I was born in May of 1952 in Racine Wisconsin. I left that factory building as strong and powerful as I could be. I didn’t drip a drop of my blood. I got a job working on a small Midwest farm for a man, his wife and 3 children. Everyone of them put me to work at one time or another. I gave them all I had everyday without question. After a while other tractors came to this farm, each one bigger and more powerful than the one before it. My work load got smaller and smaller every year. The farmer always kept me while the others were traded away. I knew I was always special. I stayed and worked with the farmer for 50 years helping to feed the world. Then the time came when my farmer friend and I said good bye to the farm and the farm work.

I didn’t retire just yet..

I still had some more life in these old parts so I went with this young man from town to town on a trailer most weekends to pull a sled straight and far. I did what that young man asked me, he said “ pull it far enough so I can brag to my buddies, and impress the little hotties” I did even sometimes earned enough money to pay for gas and maybe buy a beer now and then. It was a fun time. But my young friend and one of the hotties got married and started having a family of there own. So my pulling time was cut back to next to nothing.

I didn’t retire just yet..

I went with this middle aged man, he brought me into his garage and started to paint and polish me .. he fixed all my oil leaks, pounded out my dents, put on some new parts that couldn’t be repaired. Bought me new tires and shined me up just I was when I left Racine almost 60 years ago. My new job is to drive slow with the American flag upfront and wave at everyone I see.

I still haven’t retired..

I have a new bright paint job and I sit at shows in parks with other tractors some as shiny as me some not so much. Our job is to show up at these events smile and let the adults take pictures and the little children sit up in my seat.

My first job was helping feed the world…
My new business is making people smile, and let me tell you business is booming!!

 

[Ed Turner Camrose]

Very well said!

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

sadly you will have those who point out the obvious you can never make all happy I too have tried to please all never happened LOL I do enjoy a complement but that is not always to be I do hope you had a good time at the fair you have a very nice looking tractor for sure and can be proud the poem I thought was a very nice set of words put together maybe you could think of putting them down on a sign to go with the tractor at shows I bet that would get their attention even if they say nothing
cnt

 

[McKerrow630]

Very nice. Thank-you for sharing.

 

[Barry Small]

Since I started going to tractor shows about 30 years ago I more often find myself drawn to the original tractors than the show queens, especially the farm modified tractors. In a time when a whole farms viability rested on keeping the tractor running, or making it fill a specific need the most interesting things were done to them. I'd never put down someone's pristine factory original restoration, but those old flawed not quite right tractors have all the personality to me.

 

[Lamont]

I've not seen your tractor, but I'll say to you:
1) Thanks for recognizing its value, and there's no doubt to me that you see the value of the people who farm and have used this tractor as, and are themselves, an important part of the survival of society.
2) Thanks for not trading this tractor for a few quick bucks at the scrap yard which means that quickly, both the tractor and the money will vanish.
3) Thanks recognizing that using parts you already have to fix it up to make it shine again actually shows its value even more. There are some things that allow for no modification.
4) Thanks for sweat and labor in fixing it up.
5) Thanks for your story. I agree that printing it or something like that and posting it on your tractor at shows would add to its value in the eyes of others. Its value is already present in your eyes.
7) Thanks. That's it. Just, thanks! Please post a pic for us.

 

[Michael Beeker]

I agree with Ed that your poem was well written, brought a tear to my eye.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Adirondack case guy]

I have had similar experiences at county fairs, and tractor shows. Had a great time with the old customers and fellowes that had a "Case just like that".
The critics can go shi!! in their hat. I had one guy at a show that started in on me. I let him critisize all my flaws, and then I asked his wife who was at his side if he was the perfect husband. She gave me a no nod, and he walked away.
Loren

 

[mopar66701]

Thats almost as good as paul harveys ffa convention address. Very nice

 

[McKerrow630]

hee hee, Good one Loren

 

[tomturkey]

Yes, Just accept the fact that it makes some people feel BIG by trying to make you look small. Loren's post below is a good comeback. Sometimes just shake your head and say nothing.Takes the air out of the windbags and they move along. Thanks for the story, enjoyed it. gobble

 

[1370rod]

Great story, it is funny how some people will point out whats wrong with your work before they ever tell you whats right with it. After 40 yrs of trying to please everyone I have accepted the fact you can't. We all have different thoughts and ideas of what makes a good tractor. Clean and perfect for some and trustworthy and original for others even if it does not have any paint on it. When someone is willing to display their tractor in public they are proud of it and thats good enough for me. I enjoy them all regardless of their appearance and thank everyone for taking the time to show us their treasured tractors. What a boring world it would be if they all had shiny paint and correct fasteners. Rod.

 

[VAC400]

CaseDC3, What a wonderful story you have told. I also, like the rest hear the same thing. For when I restored my DADS VAC I left alot of things as dad repaired them, an I did not want to change them. As for now the Vac goes to fairs and tractor shows. Jerry from Ohio

 

[rvirgil_KS]

Good story

If you were to ask the critic "How do you have your tractor fixed up?" the likely answer would be "Oh...I don't have one".

 

[Don Rudolph]

Tod,

Your story should be told in a children's storybook. What a great tribute to your tractor and its history.

My son has a 1970 GTX and there is no shortage of know-it-alls that can find fault with it. But, the vast majority of people really appreciate the effort to keep it going. I am certain the same is true for your tractor. Don

 

[Andrew from Australia]

Yes it"s disappointing that some people don"t show respect, criticize and look down on others points of view. I"m glad you didn"t let it spoil your day....good story.
recently I"ve got..."they"re the wrong wheels!" or "when are you going to restore it?" or....thankfully the good people out there...on here... outnumber the wingers who probably don"t have a tractor or whose tractor is still sitting at home in the shed!
Thanks