Alvordton, Ohio 43501
I think I should write about my farm gas tractor experiences. I
bought a new 10-20 McCormick Deering farm tractor on April 1st
1925. and was just as pleased with it as I was disgusted with the
Fordson the year previous.
This 10-20 burned kerosene and when working it in hard plowing,
the magneto shorting lever could be put clear down, and it would
fire just like a diesel but when you lifted the plow it would stop
if you did not advance the magneto lever.
This tractor had power enough to run the new 8 roll
Advance-Rumely corn husker-shredder that I bought in 1924. I traded
it in on a new 15-30 hp. McCormick-Deering tractor on Nov. 4th 1927
that we plowed 5000 acres the first 10 years, besides lots of belt
work. I still am using that 15-30 tractor after 46 years of usage.
This tractor had 6′ high spade lugs and wore out two sets, and
had the third set on when I put it on rubber in June 1936. It has
never had a broken rear axle shaft as it is a 6 spline 3-1/2′
shaft.
I wanted-an electric self starter, so bought a new 252 cu. in.
Dodge truck engine, and installed it in February 1947. After 18
years use I replaced that engine with a 266 cu. in. Chrysler
‘Spitfire’. These engines would not pull as much on a heavy
load, but would do more work at faster speeds as they developed
about 50 hp. at 1800 R.P.M.
My next tractor was a homemade one with an International truck
frame and front axle with a new 236 cu. in. Dodge truck engine, and
Mack double reduction rear axle with pneumatic tires. I and my son
assembled this in the Spring of 1937 and use it for high speed
grain and seed sowing.
Top picture shows LeRoy plowing in 1926 with his 10-20 HP
McCormick-Deering tractor. The tractor was bought new April 1,
1925. Bottom shot is he and his 15-30 and W-40 McCormick-Deering
tractors.
I got the fever for a W40 McCormick-Deering tractor that was
owned by a fellow thresherman, so I bought that one in December
1955. It was new in 1938 and painted red with International 6 cyl.
298 cu. in. engine. It has the high speed road gear, and has been
used a lot at the National Threshers Reunion, also for use around
my sawmill.
My 4th gas tractor is a 22-36 McCormick-Deering on dual tires
that I do most of my heavy farming with. It is equipped with an
International Red Diamond 450 cu. in. 6 cylinder motor. On several
economy runs, it has developed over 12 hp. hours on a gallon of
gasoline.
At the National Threshers Reunion near Wauseon, Ohio, a few
years ago it developed more belt horsepower than a new John Deere
4020 diesel on the A.D. Baker Prony brake.
The above description of my six farm tractors tells you they all
have electric starters, and all on rubber tires.
Pictured above is my collection of license plates of one from
each state. It took me eight months to complete my collection. They
are of no particular years, but just any years as long as it has
the name of the state on it.
I would like to thank all you Gas Engine Magazine readers who
helped me with my collection. It surely is appreciated.
I enjoy the magazine very much myself and look forward to it
every issue. Thank you and keep up the good work.
My 5th farm tractor is a model H. Farmall that is a good
economical tractor, and alright for the work they were intended to
do.
Finally, my 6th farm tractor is a W9 McCormick-Deering that I
bought about a year ago from an I.H.C. dealer. He said it was a
1948 model. It is a 4 wheeler with all new tires and new red paint
job. It has as much power as a good 16 hp. steam engine, or about
60 H.P. It runs the sawmill very good, and is real economical.
