tracking down family tractor

[1944bgardner]

At a family gathering we were looking through some old pictures and I spotted a tractor in the background. It was my Grandpas, who past away 1983, my uncle remembers it was a hand start A. He remembers who got it (auction I assume) when Grandparents moved to town. This was probably 30 years back. I have a name and address. Would I be too brave to call? Stop by? I would like to know if this tractor still exists. Am I getting my hopes up? I would hate to think its sitting in a tree row rusting away. I have a hand start B that was my other Grandpas. Any advice? Thanks Jim

 

[johndeereman]

get in touch most they will do is tell you get lost (very unlikely though)

 

[2520-4010]

Go for it; it may be sitting in the fence row just waiting for your rescue. It shouldn't hurt anything to ask....

 

[1944bgardner]

I've done my homework, searched the web, I have address and there ages. The farmer who had the tractor has past away 1991, but there are two sons. Has it became somebody elses family tractor? I really want to pick up the phone.

 

[alabamafrog]

I’d say if it isn’t too far out of the way, stopping by in person may be a little more productive than a phone call. It could be a cherished family member they keep in perfect shape or it could be abandoned in the tree row or may have been sold and changed hands 10 times and could have been melted down years ago. Only way to know is ask and see where the journey ends.
Please let us know how it goes, there is no tractor more special than a family tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Just as the other guys have said, GO FOR IT! I would rather ask and not get it than not ask and it get chopped up weeks after thinking of asking. My grandfathers R was sold to my cousin and have expressed interest in it many-many times and he has said that if he sells I get first chance. Then I would have both of my grandfathers tractors. Neat personal collection.

 

[travz500]

call or stop by the worst they will do is say no its not for sale but if they farm like most of us they know the significance of things like that

 

[1944bgardner]

You guys aren't gonna believe this! I called the son of the guy who bought the A still has it! When he got it from his Dad the block was cracked. He replaced the block and sleeved it. Had it painted, he said it was a bear to hand start I think he bored it oversized too. It's a 39 styled, stored under roof. Not sure if its stuck or not. He works at a Deere dealership. He said he normally doesn't sell tractors but I think because of the family ties is making exception. I started shaking, made my eyes water alittle too. We are gonna meet up once he gets caught up on farming in about three weeks. I called first and talked to his wife, I tried to just leave a message but she wanted to know what I wanted so I told her, I think she also took a liking to my story because he called me as soon as he got in from the field. He is willing to sell it. WOW!! Means I better work some overtime!

 

[tim s]

Your "very" lucky to have found it, We have been looking for years for my Dad's 60 ser #18,517 it was traded at Stall's Equip. near Mechanicsburg Ohio in 1966, It could be any where by now,,but I'm still looking....

 

[CLW]

Be sure you post back with pictures. Glad you called.

 

[primerk5]

Congratulations on the find. I'm like everyone else on the thread, looking forward to some pictures of it. Keep up posted when you go to see it.

 

[JDTECH]

Great ending to a great story! I'm glad you found it. I've looked for years for Dad's first tractor, a Farmall F-20. He bought it from his dad. It was sold when I was just a kid. From my reccollection, the purchaser was a salvage man, and was probably parted out and scrapped. Still gonna keep looking. If no good then Dad's second tractor was a Super M which he still has. We will restore it someday. He calls it "Baby". LOL.

 

[RandyB(MI)]

Hope you go there and make sure and take the original photo with the tractor in it. Everyone can win here!

 

[primerk5]

Wonder what ever became of this..