RT 2 Red Wing , MN 55066
I found my 1922 10-20 Titan through GEM at
Baraboo, Wisconsin about 200 miles east of here. I bagained for it
over the phone and hooked my fifth wheel trailer to my pick up and
with the help of a young friend, Larry Mandelkow, went after
it.
It was all there, but every joint except the front and back
wheels and the steering wheel were frozen with rust.
The water tank had about 30 holes in it. We used a wood block
and 20 pound mallet to loosen the pistons. Several friends helped
me with these problems.
I took the entire tractor apart, scraped and cleaned and then
had it steam cleaned. Later I had it sand blasted before
reassembling.
I had it pretty well together, when I suffered a heart attack
and spent 15 days in the hospital and four months recuperating at
home.
Finally I got it ready for the final painting, putting on
decals, polished brass fittings and a new oak platform all
varnished and looking great. I hired a friend, Butch Scott, to do
the painting and finishing.
I am 71 years old, have been collecting and restoring tractors
for seven years, when I had to quit farming and have cancer
surgery.
It has been a very interesting hobby and having had a couple of
pictures of my tractors and engines published in
GEM I have received letters from as far away as
Australia.
Among the other tractors I have restored are a 15-30 McCormick
Deering, A 22-36 1936 Model, a WK-40, and 8-16 kerosene
International (which was pictured in GEM.) several
F 20’s and F 30’s and Regular Farmalls. I have just
purchased a 1925 Model T sedan Ford. I have taken it all apart and
am in the process of restoring it. This will be my winter project.
I enjoy your magazine and my young friends do too. I have to hide
it until I get to read it.
