Former professor to show
off tractor
By Beth Massura
Staff
Writer
Antique tractor owners see their machines as more
than just farm implements; they are a part of history.
For owner Henry Wadsworth, his tractor has a personal
meaning.
"My grandparents had gotten me a toy tractor when
I was little," the former Purdue professor of agriculture said. "It
was my favorite toy.
"When I got a tractor to restore, I wanted to get
one just like it."
Each year, collectors are invited to show their
antique tractors at Spring Fest. This year's tractor exhibit will be
displayed throughout the day Saturday on the eastside of the Agricultural
and Biological Engineering Building.
Wadsworth purchased his 1934 tractor at an auction
in 1997.
"The reason I got this (particular one) is that
it was built in the same year I was born," he said.
Wadsworth said he had to do a lot of restoring
on his tractor.
"There were lots of things that had to be replaced;
(we also) put on new tires and painted it," he said.
Wadsworth said his tractor is different in that
it has no battery.
"There isn't a starter; you have to crank it,"
he said.
John Gochenour, parts manager for transportation
services at Purdue, owns three antique tractors and will display two
of them at Spring Fest.
"One is an Allis-Chalmers 1947," he said. "My father
owned this tractor originally. I used to drive it as a kid."
He also owns a 1940 Farmal B, which he will display
this Saturday, as well as a John Deere B, which he said actually belongs
to his son.
Gochenour said the Allis-Chalmers needed a lot
of restoration, as it had been sitting in a shed for 20 years and was
in poor condition.
"I fixed it up (and then) just picked up a couple
more (tractors). I just enjoy working on them."
Gochenour has gone to several county fairs with
his tractors and is a member of several tractor clubs in surrounding
counties; Wadsworth has taken his tractor to the state fair.
"At the state fair, there's about 200 old tractors,"
said Wadsworth.
"Old guys like me do that (sort of thing,)" he
said.
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