Power Outputs

But, I was just settin' here thinking about that old single row beet topper that IH built; probably because you can still see the old relics laying about, strung all over the countryside.

Anyway, every possible power output source of the tractor was used up:

The belt pulley ran the knife, flinger and kicker bed. The hydraulics lifted the diggers in and out of the ground. The PTO emptied the cart. And then, while all this was going on, the tranny, of course, moved the whole shootin' match up and down the field.

I guess the same could be said for those old corn pickers as well.

Boy! How those old tractors had to work for a livin'! :>)

Allan

Kinda the same deal with a mounted sweet corn picker on our faithful Super M. PTO ran the picker mechanism; the hydraulics operated the cutter lift cylinders and worked the dump cart; and the tractor moved itself, the picker and dump cart (cart weighed 8,000 lb loaded) across the field. Used every one of the tractor’s 44 HP!

Was no picnic for on the operator either. The picker sheet metal funneled engine heat directly back onto the operator - it was brutally hot even in moderate weather. And it was NOISY! Besides the normal exhaust bark, the myriad of chains, the elevator conveyor and blower (with the operator sitting right in the middle) made it deafening. Nor did the tractor have power steering. With an extra an 800 lb or so of picker carried on the fat single front tire, guiding the machine across our gravelly, side hill fields was indeed a “two fisted” job.

However I kinda miss running that outfit now!

Speakin' of hard work.

There is this old fella up the road from me a little ways who raises buffalo. He keeps off to himself and no one knows much about him other than he is somewhat of a "loner".

Anyway, this guy has got to be in his 70's or 80's and yesterday, when I went into town, he was out along the highway fencin' in a new 30 or 40-acre pasture for his big, burly beasts.

The thing was, he was doin' it like he did years ago, with the old arm-strong posthole diggers, the old tamper rod, the old rope stretchers, the fencin' pliers and the whole 9 yards.

Now, this guy has all the new toys to do this job 'cause I've seen him at it from time to time, but for some reason, on this particular day, he was doin' it the hard way.

I was so darned proud of this old guy!!!

If it wouldn't have been for my iced tea settin' on the table at home and gettin' warm, I think I would have stopped and asked him if I could help him for a little while. :>)

Allan

My Grandpa always used those old F series Farmalls and I guess I never paid too much attention to 'em.

But, one thing I did notice is that they not only worked hard, but I think they made the operator earn his keep too! They just look as though they are a bit tough to maneuver around. :>)

Later