Sr. P.O. Box 801 Pepperell, Massachusetts 01463-0801
On July 9, 1995, the ‘Crankup’ hosted the first annual
IH tractor and equipment meet of the International Harvester
Collectors Club, New England Chapter #18. It was the largest
Crankup in Pepperell to date, thanks to the great preparation by
Kim Spaulding, Jim Dunn and others. A fine presentation of the
International Harvester family of farm equipment and power units
were proudly displayed by IH collectors. Other popular names of
farm equipment represented were: John Deere, Case, Allis Chalmers,
Minneapolis-Moline and others including a very rare Brockway
tractor. There were numerous ‘one lunger engines,’
chainsaws, outboard motors, antique trucks and cars. Vendors were
selling old and new operating manuals for antique tractors, Maytag
washers and motors, T-shirts and collectible toy tractors and
trucks. Exhibitors came from all of the New England states,
including rather obscure places like Chebeague Island, Maine.
Pepperell’s Crankup, which uses the town field in Pepperell,
was first held July of 1975, in conjunction with the town of
Pepperell’s Bicentennial Celebration. The Crankup was
originally organized by Kim Spaulding and Jim Dunn, the same two
fellows who have planned the annual event since 1975. This
year’s event took place on a very nice, partly-sunny day, with
comfortable temperatures for this time of year. The Pepperell Fire
Department provided refreshments and supplied a fire truck for
those exhibitors who needed water. The majority of displays were
various farm tractors and machinery. Representing IH were 41 pieces
of equipment; John Deere, 19 tractors; Allis Chalmers, three
tractors; and Minneapolis-Moline, two tractors.
The Pepperell Crankup is normally held every year on the second
Sunday of July. ‘Crankup 1996’ is already in the planning
stages. Hope to see you there!