I was recently browsing YouTube and came across a very interesting documentary. {A link can be found above} The video is called “Strange Inheritance ~ Iowa Tractor”

The synopsis is a Iowa farmer amassed a large collection of 150 tractors, which was left after his passing. The family dealt with the drama of what was to become of the collection and the final outcome was, of course, a auction. The battle lines were drawn, but only 23 tractors stayed in the family. A grandson had bought the family farmstead. He informed that the storage may be empty now, maybe in the years to come the buildings would be refilled with his owned collection.

This documentary delivers the story very well, and I compliment the creators for their professionalpresentation. I highly recommend anyone to take a few minutes and view the story.

I was slightly put off by a opening remark made by one daughter being interviewed. My reply “What some view as eccentric, others may find common place.” I guess many of my friends would be considered “odd” by those that don’t understand. There are many large collections right here close by in central IL.

There is no doubt a collection is a investment. The larger the collection, there is more effort to maintain. Its understandable that carrying on the legacy after the interested collector’s passing could be viewed a burden. Auctions are a logical course.

I find the sentimental attachment to particular pieces interesting. I’m guilty of this. My dad’s Case 130 lawn tractor will always grace my collection. That Case is somewhat uncommon in my area, but to me that particular 130 is priceless. I was given half ownership of the tractor before Dad had passed away. I always viewed that as honorary and considered the Case as only his tractor. I still do now. Its Dad’s, I just take care of it.

A few years ago a friend to many in this region passed. The son started selling off his dad’s tractors. Some ended up in other local collections and are still around in the area. One or two tractors have changed owners a couple of times, but fortunately they’re still in the neighborhood. The other sold tractors are now gone to who knows where

At some point, the son had a change of heart and realized selling tractors might not be his best interest. There was a little regret for the loss of a few tractors, but he did end up retaining some of his dad’s collection from that point.

I’ve observed that tractor collecting reaches across generations of families. The combination of brothers, fathers & sons, most times reaching into the third generation. This passion isn’t just a boys club by an means. There are many women actively involved in collecting agricultural equipment.

Sentimental Iron will probably always be a phenomenon. There are many stories of people seeking out and sometimes happily regaining a tractor that granddad had. Other collections will be destined to stay in the family, for further time to come. For others, there is always auctions. In any case the cherished machine, more than likely, passes to someone that will continue to enjoy having ownership.

Nate Reinhart and I constantly talk on the phone throughout the day. One morning, he proclaimed “I’m getting back into raising cattle!” Nate has been around livestock all his life. The family is active raising horses and there is a cousin with a dairy farm. Currently Nate has a profitable custom hay operation. Nate has shown horses, raised cattle and hogs. He still helps, occasionally, on the family dairy. Knowing animals would be an understatement.

We talked more of the plans and I couldn’t help but be happy for his excitement. A flood of fond memories, of back in the day, when my family raised cull stock came to me. There is a special fulfillment in tending live stock with extra care needs.

Nate had succured purchasing calves that were the victim of parenting issues. I’m sure most country folk have complete understanding of the term “bucket calf”

“How you gonna get them home? I asked “A dog kennel will probably suffice” I kidded. They couldn’t be to big yet. He assured me he had a plan. I have to admit it was ingenuous.

I remarked another of our friends would have just let the calf ride in the cab. Well Nate couldn’t be out done in that respect.

He also had the benefit of someone else to help handle the calf. Tammy Buse, Nate’s mom, is helping with the new enterprise. The original plan was to buy two. He has two now, but they came home one at a time. So Nate actually hasn’t used his improvised stock racks yet.

The first calf rode home pretty calmly. It’s the little heifer pictured. The second one was a lot more spirited and from what Nate tells me the young bull created excitment biting and bucking. Boys will be boys I guess.

Tammy has been enjoying nurturing the young stock, not minding the extra effort. The calf rations are being prepared with loving care

The bull has needed some medicinal attention but is already eating feed rations besides taking the milk. The young boy had issues taking milk from a artificial nipple at first. Nate reported recently that both calves are already eating. The young bull gets upset if there isn’t feed in the bucket.

The calves of course are named. Many ideas have been suggested, Patty, Hamburger, Slider, T bone, Grocery, Nate likes Delicious. My thought was the bull should be named Rowdy. Anyway the heifer got tagged with Tinkerbell and the lad has been named Peter Pan.

Nate is happy to be raising beef stock again. He looks forward to having beef in the freezer. Other family members are suggesting getting into breeding and even showing, but Nate doesn’t want to take his cattle enterprise in those directions. I’m confident Nate will be successful in whatever he decides and takes on.

Credit for photography goes to Nate Reinhart and Tammy Buse. I encourage those on Facebook to seek out and browse Nate’s page Reinhart Custom Baling. You can find out more about the family’s hay operation

There’s been alot of behind the scenes work going on lately regarding Antique Iron Media. Ever since the decision to produce video was inspired, there were other details needing to be met.

My friend James Hunt had recently made a weekend visit to help me update my computer technology. I’m self taught on the workings of tools involving data production. In fact, I only had a slight clue as to my being out dated. James opened my eyes as to how far behind I had been. My new equipment is far more savvy than its operator, with time I hope to catch up. James is there to patiently answer questions and guide me further into the matrix. Its always good to have friends like that.

I informed you, the reader, in my article titled “Big News” I was seeking the assistance of a graphic artist. I wasn’t having great luck and on a whim I tried my hand at creating a design.

I was actually quite happy with the outcome. It turned out far easier to bring my idea to conception, then trying to explain it to someone. This design embraces the joined partnership between the media and mafia. I felt this important, to recognize, considering the media enterprise has been growing with the support and following from our mafia group membership.

It’s been fun designing the brand concept. There is a special pride in doing the work myself. I’m sure my mom would have been proud, she always encouraged me to step out of the box. She also would have reminded me “you don’t know what can be done until you try!”

The new plans can be a little overwhelming. I have no plans to stop writing. The YouTube videos will just parallel my article content. Thankfully I have help in carrying the new burden.

Stay tuned! 2019 is looking to be an exciting year.

Antiqueiron.media will soon be doing video feeds!

This weekend was very productive. James Hunt, has finally brought my technology into the 21st century.

Stay tuned and look for the links that will be created to YouTube.

As always thanks to everyone that supports the media/ mafia. I encourage everyone to subscribe and follow all the different formats created for the tractor enthusiast.

I will also be creating a patreon account for those willing to help support my growing endeavors in bringing antique agricultural media for the public’s enjoyment

There is one more step in the process. I’m seeking a graphic design artist to help create a logo. This will demonstrate the professional presence moving forward.

Its amazes me to think of all the different antique tractors I have owned over the past few years. I’ve been collecting lawn tractors far longer, but I really didn’t own farm tractors until 2015. Since that July, I discovered the challenge to purchase is just as enjoyable.

My attitude toward my tractors make them only toys to me. I don’t “need to” own anything. I make suitable purchases based on what fits into my expendable budget after my responsibilities are met. My collection may not be nearly impressive as some of my friends. In risk of sounding selfish, the only one that I feel really needs gratification of what I own is me!

Don’t misunderstand, I like to share my collection in a manner for others to enjoy. I would much rather have others experience the wonder of a peice for it’s glory and beauty. It has nothing to do with a fact that I own it.

That’s one of the reasons I pursue writing and a majority of what I share is in the antique tractor genre. I’m very fortunate to make friends with many wonderful people also caught in the passion. I also take great joy in influencing others to embrace the interest. Writing is just another form of pursuing the chase. There will never be a shortage of material to write about.

I like to report more than the mechanics of tractor. The challenge is to discover history of a particular peice. Sometimes, the story as to why a owner has it is more interesting than the tractor itself. My personal collection has one or two that have a special story.

I like to make a deal. I quickly learned there is more satisfaction in the transaction when both parties walk away happy. I approach every sale with straight forward honesty, whether I’m the buyer or the seller. I’d like to think that’s why I usually come away with a new friend in the bargain.

The last three antique farm tractors, I have purchased came from the same seller. Jim Edwards is a fair, just gentleman and great fun to work with. That, and becoming a respected friend, gives me the confidence to be a repeat customer. Jim is actually now my tractor dealer. I actually seek out his opinion on tractor matters. I consider myself fortunate to have Jim’s guidance. The Edwards may cull out a red tractor from their herd now and then. Chances are good it just moves into my collection.

The Edwards family taught me to also consider making purchases which have potential to appreciate in value. Because of this, I must confess that tractors maybe aren’t just toys. A collection is a major investment. Tractor purchases have become part of my financial planning. I see them similar to buying on the stock market. Buying with only a sentimental reason isn’t always a good plan. Altering my way of thinking has caused my collection monetary value to grow.

Brand values differ depending on locations. In explaining my observation, my region is very “pro John Deere, IH and Oliver” Where as if in another region it may be Case, or Allis Chalmers oriented. Personal preference is also a factor. I undoubtedly admit to being a red guy, but I have owned, or even still do own, “off brands”

I take full consideration into all aspects of the prospective buy. There are certain brands that I enjoy, but I might steer clear of ownership. My conservative tendency is to buy something I can easily resell if I need to. I don’t recommend my attitude for everyone though. That’s just my outlook on my collection.

I have my horror stories on deals that have failed. I had actually walked away from a purchase of a rare lawn tractor. I discovered the seller was attempting unjustified sales techniques. It was sad that the deal had gone bad, I would have been a repeat customer with him. The rare lawn tractor would have been a great addition, but the deal wasn’t worth working with a unscrupulous character.

Early 2017, I ended up making a purchase I wasnt really intending too. I had discovered the tractor through social media. The man had done a wonderful restoration of a hard to find model and was attempting to sell it. I reached out to the man, only to compliment his workmanship. We text, later to have a phone conversation, and had a very friendly visit. He finally asked if I wanted to buy… I made an offer.

Reference “And that’s the Case” a earlier article found in this blog. There is a more detailed explanation of the Michigan adventure.

Because of the adrenaline rush, of buying and selling, I will take on flip tractors. I have managed to turn a small profit, but more importantly I gain opportunity to meet new people.

My collection seems to always change. I always have two or three farm tractors, and more lawn tractors that I loose count at times. The group isnt always the same though. I tend to embrace my family heritage and will have red power, but I have my eye on other brands.

However owning tractors gets labeled. As a hobby, passion, or addiction, this is just something many people enjoy for many different reasons.

A typical day for a grain hauler usually begins very early in the morning. The grain company I work for most always has the trucks loaded for the following work day. This is to take full advantage of the receiver’s hours of operations. A grain hauler generally works a 12 to 14 hour day on average. I can remember when the work day was longer.

Modern technology has made a difference in wait times. The only down side is human interaction is far less than before. Most operations have a similar computer process being utilized. Information is either entered in a kiosk mounted scale side or communicated through a speaker or phone style headset. CB radios are even used in some cases.

Every system is similar. Some companies distribute a plastic tag that is hung in the windshield so a scanner can read and identify the truck. Other companies use a small plastic card about the size of a credit card. The card is swiped at a kiosk at some point during in processing and out processing. Sometimes the card can be read at several stations as the truck moves through the facility.

During in process, the truck gets weighed. This is generally when the computer tag is identified. The load will get probed and graded at some point before unloading. Contact is made with the scale operator and any other additional load information is taken.

Out process is another scale. The tag is again read and a grain recieved ticket is printed. You may not have much contact with a company representative, but rest assured you have been carefully monitored via camera.

The computer systems are very efficient and speed up time spent in the facility. The plastic tags however aren’t all universal to several facilities. In fact the same company will differ. ADM Decatur uses a hanging tag, and the St Louis, MO / Sauget, IL river terminals use cards. Most grain haulers have a large collection of different tags and cards. The trick is to make sure incompatible tags do not interfere with the system currently in use.

Rock quarries even use a computer system. The major difference is there isn’t inbound weight taken every single time being loaded.

End loaders, at quarries, are much more accurate when estimating amounts now. In past times a operator just got good simply by repetitive loading. Modern machinery is now equipped with a scale in the loader bucket.

I can remember before mechanical grain probes were used. Most scales had a walk way for a person to take samples of the incoming truck. The mechanical probe now uses electrical, hydraulic, and vacuum to retrieve the sample. Depending on the facility, there are even cameras monitoring where the probe is being placed

Where I’m employed, has become very modern. There is inbound and outbound scales to help process quickly. The inbound scale has a mechanical probe and the whole elevator is monitored via camera. Communication is maintained with the truck traffic using the CB.

Outbound grain loading has greatly improved at BAB. The elevator employee no longer has to stand on a perch above the truck to load, enduring hazards such as weather, falling, breathing dust, and noise.

There is now a central located building where the load is monitored via camera and controlled by electric doors. This is safer since the loader and driver can communicate using radio rather than shouting to be heard.

There are other grain operations even more state of the art than we are at BAB Grain. I have actually loaded on a scale. This method insures a perfect legal weight placement.

Grain handling has come into the 21st century using modern technology. I don’t consider myself that old, but I vaguely remember before cellphones, and the coming age of computers. Modern life hardly happens without using personal devices, to the point we take it for granted.

This will conclude my series on ag hauling. I hope you enjoyed the small peek into my work day. I know some of my following “know the drill”and relate. For everyone else, this may have been behind the scenes learning.

I want to thank my employer, Greg Boesdorfer, and fellow coworkers for making this article possible. A majority of the trucks pictured, in the article, are the BAB fleet. It was easier, sharing a behind the scene view, using some pictures of the BAB Grain facility.

Special thanks to Mark Enslow for helping stage some of the pictures. Mark has been with BAB for thirty plus years and witnessed many of the facility changes that have made grain handling, safer and more efficient.

Most of the advancement, I have witnessed, in Ag support have been better equipment utilized. Electronic tools have started to making a driver’s work more efficient.

Tarping has major improvement in my time. I didn’t start to work with tarps until I started driving semi trucks. My first encounter was major work and unsafe by today’s standard.

I literally had to manipulate the tarp on a loaded dump trailer very much like a flat bed operator still covers freight. There were no supporting metal “bows” the load was covered by a large one peice canvas that was fitted to the trailer. Rubber straps held it in place and the only fixed point was on the center front of trailer. This method, of cover, is dirty and labor intensive. Climbing and throwing the tarp had its fall risks. The major trick was folding and rolling up the tarp properly to fit in a basket designed to hold it when not in use. I’m glad I was young and more agile when I worked this method.

The next type of tarp method I learned was much safer since the driver stayed on the ground….in ideal circumstances anyway. The tarp was fastened down the right side of the trailer. Generally there would be four two inch straps that buckled down the left side to hold it secure. Some tarps had a front and rear cap that was secured with rubber straps. These caps had to be flipped over onto the main body before the tarp could be rolled over to the right side. To roll the tarp, a handle is carried that could be inserted into the end of the rolling pipe. Most have a rope fastened to the roll pipe midway to bring the tarp back over and secure it again

Using permanent mounted front and rear caps make a strap tarp safer like the one pictured. The driver can keep his feet on terre firma.

Sounds pretty simple and efficient? Well it may look good on paper, but let’s talk about real life. This method has pros and cons. There is a little more give way when hauling bulky product. Think of it like an over packed suitcase. This tarp style is more forgiving.

A driver learns to sling the return rope back and forth across the trailer with practice. Leaving the rope draped across during the loading tended to bury the rope. That makes for a difficult chance to cover the load. I learned to stow the tarp handle securely, that tool is very necessary to uncovering a load.

Sure lock tarps are generally the most widely used now in the industry. This method is fastened down the right side. The secured tarp is rolled and tucked under a ridge down the left side. The handle is the locking device to hold the tarp tightly. This method is quick and effective.

Sure lock tarps recieved a great improvement in recent years. Manually manipulating is becoming obsolete now. Electric motors now do the labor and a driver can control opening and closing the tarp with a remote control.

This convenient option saves time, and effort. Hopper trailer gates can also be controlled via a remote as well.

The control is similar to a all in one remote we enjoy controlling our home entertainment.

The cellular phone made a major difference in ag support. Now a day drivers can stay in touch with dispatch far easier. I really dont remember life before the technology. Before I had a phone I could be contacted with a pager when I hauled feed. Cell phones are more than modes of communication though. Smartphones are great to defeat boredom when committed to a wait in line.

Part 3 will be my final sharing of this article. I will be explaining the technical advancement of most terminals, quarries, and even some local elevators.

In early May, 1980 I “legally” became a commercial driver. I had actually been mastering the skills to operate a truck far sooner, when my leg was strong enough to push the clutch and I could see over the steering wheel. Hank Williams Jr may have been born to boogie. I was born to drive!

I have been a hired driver from the very minute I held a valid driver’s license. The truck I took my road test in was loaded with hay for me to deliver just as soon as the state certified me capable. Granted there may be a little looking the other way before then. Not a lot of questions were asked to country kids when they were being productive members of the work force.

Illinois alphabetically ranked skill training different when I first acquired my license. Class A now was a Class D then. When the federal government mandated the CDL program things changed. I didn’t qualify to drive semi when I was sixteen, I held a Class C. Youth drivers have always had a little difficulty obtaining a combination vehicle license, let alone using it. It may have been a little easier then.

I had military training to drive truck. In 1983, after my release from training duty, I visited the DMV. The State of Illinois granted me a civilian equivalent to my military license by my simple display of credentials. In all the years after that, I have yet to actually prove my abilities with a road test.

I finally started my semi truck driving career in 1988. Minus a short time, here and there, I have driven a truck for the past 31 years. My experience is vast working for many different companies and hauling a multitude of diverse product. I have experience with many specialty trailers. Agriculture holds my heart though, and a little under half of my driving career has been supporting that. A hopper bottom, end dump, and tanker are the most useful tools of the trade for Ag support. These are what I like to see following me in my mirrors.

I have to admit to seeing change in the industry. For what’s changed there is also sameness. There has been some improvement and labor saving introduced, but the basic work really hasn’t changed. Lines will probably always exist as long as grain needs to be transported. A military terminology sums it up perfectly. “Hurry up! and wait”

Back when I was sixteen I started by driving heavy duty farm trucks. These were usually gas powered, slow and had a 4 or 5 speed transmission with a two speed axle. Top speed loaded was generally 50 miles per hour.

Grain would blow off the truck but most people didn’t think much to take time tarping. The trip to the grain elevator wasn’t usually that far anyway. I really didn’t start dealing with a tarp until I drove a semi truck. I’m glad to inform that covering the commodity has improved tremendously over the years.

The size, of the truck, and hauling capacity grew as my experience and skill level improved. The miles to destinations, of delivery, started increasing. Instead of the local grain elevators being the unloading facilities, I hauled to river terminals, train depots, and processing plants. A major part of hauling became dedicated to hauling from the elevator instead of to it.

End dump trailers are a versatile asset to Ag support. Hopper bottom trailers are limited to only hauling grain and feed. I have hauled some different, not typical, commodities over the years. Coal is not fun to unload from a hopper, it actually can be work getting out of a dump trailer. I’ve hauled sand in a hopper, which is very heavy.

Anything that goes in a end dump will come out the tail, once the trailer gets tilted.

End dump unloading dry fertilizer into a conveyor

Great care must be exercised with a end dump. Stability must be insured when pushing the nose of a wagon to great height. There is a respected knowledge among drivers responsible for maneuvering dumps. Not all situations can be optiman perfect. “Theres dump drivers that have turned one over, and theres drivers that are going too!” I am still on the going to possibility after 15 to 20 years experience.

Most waterways in Illinois have a gravel quarry near by to them. This optimizes return hauls for dump trailers cutting empty miles from half loaded and half empty. Many times to this day I haul grain to the river and bring back lime, or rock. Dry fertilizer will come in on a river barge and that makes a very profitable return haul as well.

River terminals and train depots also distribute liquid nitrogen to fertilizer plants. Liquid tankers will be called upon for the spring planting season.

Ag support transportation has made some great labor saving advances. The drivers duties have become much easier, more efficient and most importantly safer. In part 2 of this article I will focus my observation mostly on driver duty improvements handling hopper bottom and end dump trailers.

I heard a great story, while having dinner with the Edwards family. Jim actually has shared many great tales of how Doug discovered his talent painting. Doug’s younger brother Jason must have been one of the first customers receiving Doug’s skilled handiwork. Jason had a new bicycle that wasn’t really a desirable color. A can of spray paint and the problem was solved. There were repercussions, but for the telling of this story the follow up isn’t necessary.

Doug’s talent has grown from his childhood. He has demonstrated his abilities with many beautiful tractors restored. His work hasn’t only been limited to antique tractors though.

Doug’s 1957 Dodge D-100. He restored this one for himself

Motorcycles, cars, and trucks have been challenges that he has taken on. Heavy Caterpillar equipment has also seen new beauty from Doug’s hand.

There have been three previous paint shop set ups before Doug finally got his newest building. His first two were in Waverly. For one reason or another the shops were closed, but our hero never gave up his desire. The H he painted for me was actually a small enough tractor he could take it on in his garage. It was a crowded work area. He made do and kept at his dream.

Joe Moeller, a friend and neighbor, came on the team working in the garage space.

Joe started out doing prep and sanding work for Doug. Joe is always willing to be right in the mix and valuable help. Doug has been teaching Joe how to master painting and his skill level has quickly improved. Currently Joe has taken on a restoration on his own for Doug. He is “shop foreman” now so Doug has given him the lead painting a Farmall 240. This makes having more than one project going easier. Freeing Doug’s productivity level to do more.

Theres no denying who the real boss is though. Sam oversees everything and keeps the operation running smoothly.

The shop can be a busy place. Since opening the new building, in November 2018, a Farmall Super H, Oliver 550 and 1800 plus a lawn & garden puller have been completed. There have been several other smaller projects and the waiting list has been quickly growing.

Doug’s staff has grown with the increased work. He has a electrical specialist and a prep worker to help out.

The building has been laid out in two separate work spaces. There is a area dedicated to painting. Both work zones have a overhead door leading outside and there is also a large pass through between the prep and painting zones.

It was designed for the Midwest weather. Projects can be moved without losing the warm controlled environment needed to work during winter. The paint area is properly ventilated and air circulation is safely controlled.

Edwards Vintage Tractor & Restoration is a full service company creating it’s own special “niche” in antique tractors. There is more to a good restore than bringing back the initial show room presence by painting. Many tractors have their own unique issues to overcome. For example, during the restoration of my H, Doug discovered there were two different size front wheels. This had to be corrected.

Doug strips a tractor down during the process. Generally this is a great time to replace worn parts and make conversions. Some people consider converting from 6 volt to 12 volt electric systems during the rebuild. New tires are also often considered. Whatever the work, the staff has experience and knowledge to preform the duties needed.

Doug has plans to expand his enterprise. I have no doubt with his dedication and support from his “people” the new business has a very bright future.

As the company grows, it will probably never get so big that a customer won’t be treated as a friend. The Edwards family are down to earth good people. Every team member is active in community events and they support several local service organizations and schools. They conduct business accordingly.