Last summer I added a nice Cub to my collection. The sweet little machine didn’t stay in my possession long though. A former owner realized his mistake, in letting the tractor get away. He managed to negotiate a deal, to get it back. I’m not going to reveal who owns the Cub, to protect his privacy. He doesn’t need tractor sleuths bothering him to prove my speculation wrong.

The tractor did not have a readable identification tag. That was something I would want to remedy, mainly for insurance identification. I like to protect my collection as much as I can. They are a monetary investment.

There was a ID tag on the tractor. Someone had painted over it . Luckily I learned a few tricks to read the old tag, and I know a guy. Doug Edwards, of course is to whom I refer.

To read the tag, it had to be removed. Sometimes its a simple matter of discovering the stamped numbers from the back. The tag is generally paper thin, held on to the casting by rivets.

I removed the tag, soaked it in paint thinner, gently went at it with a wire brush. I was satisfied to discover a number, which I took for a 1974 serial number. I wasn’t completely sure I was correct. I determined through logic. The grill style and paint coloring made the age logical.

If you read my articles you know I’m not the most mechanically apt. I take advantage of specialists friends. I don’t have the stamping tools to press the VIN number on a new tag. Replacements tags are easily purchased though. You can order through Steiner or better yet hook up with your local parts dealer.

The number I discovered was heavily debated. Doug has means of cleaning the old tag better than I could. The old piece of metal was passed around before we all finally agreed what the serial number read. My estimate was challenged. If the number we discovered was correct the tractor was built in 59.

That didn’t make sense though! Cubs in 59 were red and didn’t have a square grill. It was time to do more research.

I’m going to stop at this point of my story. During other research, I discovered that records were destroyed to keep them from the competitors. This is sad and annoying for historical research. I would imagine all the manufactures had their secrets.

It’s interesting to note, that paint schemes were altered around the same time periods. Harvester painted their machines red and white about the same year Deere started painting green and yellow. Oliver hid new ideas under the tin work of their recent models. I can list more examples, but its obvious where I’m going with my thoughts.

There are other means of discovering the build date on tractors. Parts used in particular years and what not. Did I do that? No, I was going to, but I don’t have the tractor now. To be honest it REALLY doesn’t matter. Regardless, if I’m right or not, the Cub is a sweet little machine.

Disclaimer and purely speculation on my part. (please chalk this up to an author’s active imagination.)

Could the little tractor actually be a 59? Lets look at some interesting facts. Cubs were introduced in the 40s and built in Louisville KY. I did find out the tractor came out of the factory in other colors besides red. They would be painted to customer specifications. The square grill wasn’t introduced until the late 60’s That’s also the time when they became International Cubs instead of Farmall.

In 1961 Cub Cadet was introduced. The Cub original was built in Louisville. There are a lot of similarities between the small and large tractors. Grill, paint scheme. Early 60’s was the time when the tractor manufactures jumped in the urban market. They all patterned the little tractors to look like field tractors, .

Maybe Harvester was thinking about clientele with estates. Maybe they were thinking about the restyling as early as 59. It may have taken a couple years, of tests before anything came off the assembly line, in mass . Maybe some Cubs rolled off the line with a new look. My research did allude to the possibilities.

I openly admit, I can be proven wrong, but it’s fun to think about. To bad some of the historical records have been lost for our future to know for sure.

This is a definition I discovered… Pilgramage‘ is often used to describe an individual journey through life, sometimes as a general description of personal growth and exploration.  However, in an overall context, the journey is not always religious

Mecca’ a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest.

These two words work well for this article. Ohio seems to be a mecca for me concerning lawn and garden tractors. I have made three pilgrimages to obtain tractors for my collection.

The first trip occurred in 2015. I found, via Ebay, a 1966 Case 150. Matt Kiesel, from Alvada, had the machine up for bid. The winning bid earned my Christmas present to me that year.

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Not only did I acquire a nice add to my collection, I made another “tractor” friend. It was very enjoyable meeting and visiting with Matt. We still keep in touch through Facebook.

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The second journey occurred last year. I had purchased a Shaw Du-all, on auction, that sparked my interest in that brand. Rob Bush had posted a picture of a beautiful restoration Du-all that was at a show in Portland, IN.

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I had made comment on the picture how nice it was and hopefully my Du-all would be half that nice someday. Rob informed the R12T was for sale and put me in contact with the seller.

As I was east bound, to Thornville, I couldn’t help to wonder what kind of collection Joe Lofink would have. Shaw tractors aren’t that common. I felt fortunate to be purchasing such a nice one. Why would he be willing to let it go?

I wasn’t disappointed. Joe’s collection is amazing! I didn’t get to see everything, but what I did view was mind boggling. I’d like to go again someday and spend more time visiting.

Tiller steer tractors are just something of a wonder to me. I have thought that since I saw one on display at the American Tractor Museum in Perryville, MO. I told myself I’d have one someday. Evidently, I needed to be more careful who else I shared this with. My spy network had their eyes open and my friend Steve Farmer found one for sale.

Obviously, the tractor was in Ohio. Bob Julio from Spencer was selling a tractor that had been in his family since it was purchased new. Bob had done major overhaul work on the little tractor making it a great find.

I had learned two important lesson on my previous trip to Thornville. 1) one day marathon 1000 mile trips are long and tiring. 2) renting a trailer would be cheaper, on gas than dragging an empty trailer out bound. I also could rent an enclosed trailer for security and weather protection.

I can’t report the trip to be boring. I was chased by a weather front going. I dealt with rain, construction, and rude drivers, but it was well worth my time.

Bob Julio had a beautiful little slice of countryside and as usual I enjoyed a great visit and made another friend. Bob is currently restoring a 73 AMC Javelin. The car brought back memories of my youth. My mom and dad own two Javelin while I was growing up.

Bob gave me a little bit of a heart attack. He took one look, at the 5×8 trailer, saying “I hope the tractor fits in there” Funny Bob! You’re a millwright, you better know how to read a measuring stick! It was interesting loading a tractor with a 51 inch axle width through a 49 inch opening. It worked though! The door was the only issue, and not that big of a problem.

The Gibson is in Illinois, and a big hit for the people to see. I debuted the tractor in Bushnell on Memorial Day Weekend

Do I only get three chances to find treasures from Ohio? Only time will tell. Hopefully, the genie in the bottle has more wishes….from anywhere for that matter.

I’ve learned you don’t always need to be in the parade, there’s need for a crowd to wave to. Digger Dave and I were just spectators for a show in Bushnell, IL.

Spoon River Valley Antique Tractor Club is a great organized group that is based in a historic old barn. Their clubhouse has a rich history. Housing their tractors, in the building, is a suitable continued use.

The two buildings and carriage house are all that’s left standing from the early 1900s the facilities original intent was for breeding draft horses. The clubhouse had a twin at one time standing just to the west of it.

Later times, the building became a Case tractor dealership. Some of the box stalls were removed and parts bins and a counter were installed.

I’m told the second story was packed with snowmobiles. I didn’t get the full story as to how that came about. If an individual is brave enough to venture up there they may still find one or two lurking in the dark.

The group holds monthly meetings and gets their tractors out to sun during fitting weather. There is a two day show held during Memorial Day weekend. I highly recommend visiting. You’re going to encounter a bunch of friendly people that love to talk “tractor”

I brought up a discussion topic in the Facebook group Antique Iron Mafia not long ago. We were debating smaller tractors. Are they deemed tractors or lawn and garden tractors? 

Many different ideas were presented. Row crop tractors can be used to mow, but lawn tractors can’t necessarily be used in a row crop application. That’s a good point, so where is the line drawn?

Many manufacturing brands have built lessor horse power tractors in a smaller stature since the 40s. Older farms didn’t till as many acres as modern operations do now. 160 acres would seem pretty daunting to cover with a two or three bottom plow though. So why a 12 to 18 horse power one bottom capability?

Simply, lawn & garden tractors are two different types of tractors! There is lawn tractors and then there are garden tractors. Sure there are more modern units classified as both all in one. The garden tractor has been a part of our heritage far longer though.

Garden tractors came in demand during and after WW2. They were built to work BIG gardens. Their popularity made working the bigger plots far easier. Garden tractors tend to have a row crop capable stature. Farmall may have built a Cub, but it was a bear of a worker. There were many tillage tools available for the handy machine. Allis Chalmers built a rear engine model that had the implements right at the operator’s feet

Lawn tractors came in to popularity in the early 60s. This type of machine had a more urban focus as the yards grew bigger. There were late 50s model lawn tractors built by companies like Bolens, Wheel Horse, and Simplicity, but these companies were building garden tractors before then. Making a mowing attachment available was easy.

IH starting building their Cub Cadet in 1961. John Deere wasn’t to far behind making a lawn tractor available. Colt Manufacturing built a lawn tractor in the early 60s until Case bought the company in 1965. Its interesting to note how all the major tractor brands had lawn tractors built branded in their names. Many of the L&G models imitate the larger tractors looks.

Just like in the Blues Brothers movie. We have both kinds here… lawn and garden!

The Abridged History of Spray Guns

Special thanks to Doug Edwards for his professional consultant.

Using air pressure to apply paint is a relatively new technique in some ways. Paint was applied, by hand, with a brush until around the late 1800s.

Joseph Binks was the maintenance supervisor for Marshall Fields in 1887. All the sub basements of the Chicago based store were in need of paint. Joseph invented a faster way completing the work in record time. The tool created was something we are familiar with and still use today, a garden sprayer!

In 1893 the new spray system was expanded during the Columbian Expedition held in Chicago. The buildings were still in need of paint and time was running short. The paint applicator came to the rescue and the world’s fair scale show was painted white. Hence the name for the exhibits being “White City”

In 1888 a Doctor, in Toledo OH, was dealing with how to treat a sore throat. Dr Allan DeVillbiss was seeking a way to medicate the inflicted area directly. Swallowing the medicine didn’t allow it to keep contact long enough. The doctor designed a spray device that would be the predecessor of what we know of as a suction spray gun.

What’s interesting to note is Dr DeVillbiss used cocaine in his medicine. I learned in my research this won’t be the only item that questions legality in our modern thinking.

The doctor’s son Thomas expanded on the invention in 1907 creating the first handheld spray gun which features spraying atomized material in a controlled pattern. This tool, seeing improvement through the years, was the standard for some time until it became environmentally illegal.

Gravity fed canisters “HVLP” became the norm around 2000. The higher volume low pressure is much more environmentally friendly

Assembly lines could manufacture quickly, but the painting was very time consuming. Every thing was painted by brush until 1924. Color changing, for the air tool, didn’t become easier until the 1930s. Its understandable that Henry Ford made every color for his model T available….as long as it was black.

The consumer didn’t have the convenience running to the hardware store for spray paint until the early 50s. Edward Seymour developed the first aerosol paint can, in 1949 at his wife Bonnie’s suggestion. The Sycamore, IL. inventor was awarded the patent in 1951.

Powder coating, a method using electricity, came about in in the 60s. This style, of painting really didn’t catch on until the 80s.

During what is deemed hot coat painting. The item is preheated to a temperature of 400°. Heating the painted surface is the only basic difference between “hot” and “cold” coating

A dry powder pigment is then magnetically applied on the item in a contained booth. The hanging rod in the booth is also grounded helping the paint to cling. Once the paint powder is applied, the item returns to the oven to be “baked” at 500°

As my subtitle heading suggests, this is only an abridged history. There is much more technical data that I have quickly glossed over. My next feature on this topic will discuss how paint came about and the history.

The final feature will be a video interview with Doug Edwards. We will discuss his insights on the subject. For those that don’t know, Doug is a professional painter, specializing in antique tractors.

I went to a show celebrating a different kind of tractor on Saturday. There are big trucks and then there are flashy big trucks. This was a definite event to show pride in your ride.

This particular show was held in Rantoul, IL. Chanute Air Field is a huge location to hold such an event. I’m sure many are familiar with this site since it’s used for the Century of Progress farm show. This was the actual first time I have been on the retired air base. The old buildings are quiet and forlorn, but with imagination, one can visualize the hustle of military activity that once was happening.

There were new trucks, old trucks, trucks with every kind of imaginable trailer. There aren’t many cab over engine trucks seen the highway anymore, but they are still prevalent at truck shows

The group I attended with consisted of my long time friend Kevin Periman. Kevin’s son Travis, Chris Mohl, & Dan Nagle were acting as our advance party. The three younger men had gone over separately from Kevin and me. They had discovered everything “worthy” of our needing to see closely. In all fairness, everything was worth seeing. There was much exercise to see it all though.

Chris and I had fallen back a little from the group at one point. He quietly confessed that big desiel trucks were all new to him. I found that pretty cool. He was viewing the trucks with new eyes while a lot of what I was seeing brought back memories.

The Walters of New Berlin are known for their custom design. They had one of their creative works on display. I remember the truck when a Pleasant Plains company owned it. The truck was nice then, Its EVEN sharper now!

I’m going to see if I can get a interview and more pictures of then and now for this old beautiful Kenworth.

Maybe next year I’ll have an entry for this type of show….only time will tell. Regardless, I highly recommend anyone to take an opportunity to attend.

Graham Bradley tractors aren’t the most common type tractor to collect. My sources have told me that only 300 to 500 are known to still exist. They were only built for about 3 years and didn’t number much more than 2000 coming off the assembly line.

This article will mainly focus on model 503-104 serial number 70077. A standard model manufactured in 1938. The 70000 series designates special significance. The final assembly occurred in Canada. Graham-Paige Motor Co had an assembly plant in Walker Ontario. Tractors built in Canada were not subject to imposed tariffs.

No records can be found to indicate how many standards were actually built, but the modern registry for Graham Bradley tractors only know of maybe 35 left in existence. Of that, maybe 6 are Canadian. Ironically, I discovered another one nearby. Owned by the Elliot family of Godfrey, IL

Another Canadian standard. I met the Elliot family, that owns this one, recently at a tractor show held in Carlinville.

The Sears store in Fargo, ND was a major distribution point for Grahams in the western states. The catalog may not have featured farm equipment, but a tractor could be purchased from the store. 70077, more than likely, found it’s way to the western United States transported by train.

From this point the tractor’s history is clouded. It was used, out west and possibly left abandoned, in Oregon, to an undetermined fate.

Dennis Brown from Edina, MN was the first man to see a diamond in the rough. He purchased the tractor on an antique machinery auction on July 27, 2012. Dennis started the initial work before becoming ill. Unfortunately he passed away. Dennis’ brother Doug then picked up the project.

The tractor didn’t run and had major issues. The block was cracked. This problem was professionally handled by a company in Nevada, IA. Karen Brown, Dennis’ widow shared further information telling me Doug was a detective finding parts and resources to bring the old machine back to life. Doug handled the project as an act of love.

One major resource the Brown family used restoring was the skilled help from Gene Meschke from Mankato, MN. Another asset was Herman Speck, from Vernon Center, MN. These two gentlemen had a hand in helping the tractor regain life.

James Fred was also a valuable resource for both Dennis and Doug. I’ve discovered James is a great resource considering all his great guidance in researching my writing.

Above is a YouTube link I discovered that was published by Audrey Simmons. It shows 70077 finally running and moving. I can imagine that was a very satisfying experience for the Brown family.

The Graham changed owners at this point. Kurt Aumann purchased the tractor and commissioned Doug Edwards, Edwards Tractor Restoration, to give it a like new appearance.

70077 enters Doug’s shop for the final phase of its return

Doug and crew have been working to give it a like new appearance.

Finally the tractor is finished! Doug finished and of course like any good test pilot, or parachute packer, took the Graham Bradley for a test run to insure his great work.

Great work Doug! Actually great work to everyone involved. Kurt Aumann should be proud to have this fine machine.

Thanks to everyone that contributed help to my research. I learned alot of Graham Bradley history from James Fred and Keith Ladage. Thanks gentlemen for your patience in answering questions. Thank you Karen Brown for your information via email. Dennis and Doug Brown deserves the most credit for saving it from a fate of becoming scrap

Photography credit also belongs to Doug Edwards.