2222 92nd Street Byron Center, Michigan 49315
The sound of ‘Poppin Johnnies’ was heard across Lee
Scholna’s farm on July 18 and 19, 1997, as the Riverbend Steam
and Gas Association held its 29th annual show there.
John Deere tractors and equipment were featured and we had a
good turnout of the green machines. The West-shore Two Cylinder
Club had their tent set up and many of their members brought
tractors along. Bud Rosema had his 1936 AR on steel and a 1947 BR,
both of which he restored. Sharon Schut brought along a 1928 D on
steel, a model R diesel, and a 1947 model BO Lindeman. Sharon has a
large John Deere tractor collection, each of them superbly
restored. Dave Roclofs had his 1947 D, that he bought from fellow
club member John Huitema, and had restored. My father and brother,
Adrian and Peter Gilder, each took their own ‘toys’ along,
a 1954 60 and a 1937 B, respectively. Cal Dyke’s family also
had several models there. It’s great to see that our show can
be a ‘family affair.’ Certainly many other members and
exhibitors brought John Deere equipment and we appreciate them for
coming.
Tractor pulls were held on Friday night and Saturday afternoon,
and many pullers put their tractors to the test.
Photos by Rick Gilder.
Photos by Rick Gilder.
Equipment, demonstrations, and booths included two threshing
machines, silo filler, sawmill, corn husking and shelling, flour
milling, crafts and flea market, shingle mill, hammer mill, two
Baker fans, and the club’s most recent acquisition, a Port
Huron Engine and Thresher Company edger, donated by club member
Harold Richardson.
A rather unusual engine was hauled in by Del Vanden Bosch. It is
a 1921 300 HP Buckeye S cylinder direct injection diesel. It was
used as a backup power generator for Butterworth Hospital in
downtown Grand Rapids during the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. He
had it running on one cylinder at the show, and is waiting for
parts to be made to complete the restoration. He hopes to
eventually belt it to the sawmill.
Leland Shuck showed off his nice line shaft exhibit. It had
seven engines (including an 11 HP four cylinder Hercules). Items
belted up to the line shaft included a grindstone, corn Sheller,
two water pumps, air compressor, ice crusher, and a drill
press.
A freshly restored portable steamer, owned by Dale Sonke was
also in action. It’s a 6 HP Peerless that he acquired from
Missouri. It was running the shingle mill, and many shingles were
cut during the show. They could also be branded with the club’s
logo and taken home as a souvenir.
Our next show will be held on July 17 and 18, 1998. The
‘thump-thump’ of Oil Pulls should be heard and a field of
Persian Orange should be seen as we will be featuring the Rumely
and Allis-Chalmers line of tractors and equipment. It will be one
of the finest exhibitions of Oil Pull tractors in southwestern
Michigan, as several of them are expected to be there.
So, come on out and enjoy the machines, and don’t forget to
sample the delicious homemade ice cream and kettle popcorn!
