A Revisit with Carl Davis

One of my first interview articles resurfaced today. I penned this in June 2017. The article really should have been in this blog’s archive, but back then, I was a beginner. I didn’t know what I was doing…I sometimes still don’t! This article was written before Antique Iron Media was created. Originally, the blog was titled Old Iron Passion

The day Carl was interviewed was special for me. We were attending a tractor show in Carlinville. In fact, that was one of my first opportunie encounters with Cindy Ladage.

I ended up being left behind by my choice during the tractor drive that departed. Maybe it was fate, but I took advantage of that time and sat down with Carl for this interview.

Let’s step back in time to 2017. This was in the Facebook group Antique Iron Mafia

If you like ferris wheels, thank our next feature collector. Carl Davis has spent the last 24 years working for Eli Bridge, the oldest manufacturer of the rides. Carl spends his work time as a welder.
I have to admit this was an anticipated interview. Those of us who are friends with Carl here on Facebook get the pleasure of seeing his take on work and play. Carl also raises cattle and farms part-time. He has a knack for taking great pictures.

Carl claims to be an L&G guy. He has an extensive collection of John Deere and David Bradley to prove that. I found a disclaimer in my research, though. It seems he just might have a John Deere A and Farmall M. For all we might discover, he may have more larger tractors. L&G is easier to transport, so that is his reasoning for his claim.
He started into this in the early 80s. He still has the John Deere lawn tractor he originally mowed with. Mowed with? I’ll bet it still mows. He has all but one of the John Deere 100 series and lacks a 120 hydrostatic. I learned they are rare, and that explains why I didn’t know they even existed. I have faith that Carl will have one at some point.
The David Bradley passion began a little later for Carl. He has another amazing collection. Last year, while at Penfield, it was fun helping / watching him reload on Sunday morning to go home. After spending the few days with him, I’m pretty sure he didn’t go home with the same load he came with, and I’m sure there was more on the trailer going than coming.
Carl has been featured in articles, so he was better at being interviewed than I was at conducting one. I enjoyed very much the chance to sit and visit with him.

Back to the present day.

Carl and I have been long-time friends. If you can imagine, we were country and western line dancers when we were younger. We didn’t know each other as well as we do now, but that’s a little fun trivia. Tractor collecting and attending the same shows together has strengthened our friendship.

Carl did find an elusive 120 to add to his John Deere collection. He’s managed to add two, one for each year they were made. Now a days his collection includes more variety. He has a few Cub Cadet, Wheel Horse, and Economy in the collection now. Carl also has several brands of walk behinds. I can’t imagine he has an easy choice of what to load for a show.

Carl is still welding for Eli Bridge. He talks about retiring. It’s doubtful he will slow down. If anything, he’ll be busier when work doesn’t ground him.There is too much joy and happiness for him in life.

Everyone knows Carl!

Carl and I posed in a picture with Fred Young, the drummer for the Kentucky Headhunters. I’ve shown that picture around. One response was” I’ve seen that one guy, but who’s the fella in the middle”