ALL ABOUT TRACTORS BY PAUL WALLEM This 16th annual event was Sept. 7. Tractors totaled 1,265 and arrived from throughout the United States, including Alaska. The weather cooperated with a sunny day. The crossing is limited to 1,500, and they drive on the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, measuring 4.99 miles. They start crossing at 9 a.m. and finish by 4. Regular traffic is not suspended; they are routed to different lanes. Every tractor must have a towing cable or rope on board. Historically, the number of breakdowns averages 6 percent, and an owner cannot stop to fix the problem. Other tractors in the line will tow the breakdown to the end. The minimum speed is 12 mph. Every entry must conform to that, along with rules requiring additional riders to be onboard only if they are on a permanent seat and other precautions. Mike Silberhorn is an Illinois collector who has participated in four crossings. His tractor has two seats and two steering wheels (only one is hooked up). He estimates that about 50 tractor clubs are represented. Some owners attend every year. Virtually all brands appear; some well-cared for, some rusty, and others restored. Models range all over the board. Female drivers attend in significant numbers, and driver ages range greatly. One remarkable entry was driven by Carsten Gossen, age 101, driving the John Deere 60 that he has owned since it was new. Many of his 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren were present to cheer him on. No four-wheel drive tractors were entered, but some front-wheel assists participated. Long rows of spectators and family members sat in chairs lining the approach to the bridge. You should participate. Send in your application early, and bring a tow rope! Summer diesel camp for grades 9-12 For the second year, teenagers were invited to a summer camp featuring classes and hands-on experience in tractor power trains, transmissions, engines, and electrical hydraulics. The camp provides an inside look at possible future careers. Titan Machinery encompasses almost 100 Case IH dealerships. In spring 2023, they approached North Dakota College of Science with the idea of 9th through 12th grade summer camps. The college embraced the idea and, with Titan’s collaboration, set it up in eight different tech schools. The goal is to expose students at a young age to career opportunities. Students who attend the camps also tour Titan dealerships and CaseIH manufacturing plants. Titan talent acquisition specialist Ryan Tiffany would like every camp student to return after high school and enroll in their diesel technology sponsorship program. The bigger picture, though, is to open students’ eyes to trade jobs in agriculture. The program saw an almost 100 percent return this year among those who attended in 2023. Each camp averages 30 students from both ag and non-ag backgrounds. Career opportunities in diesel technology and related fields are increasing rapidly. These camps give 9th and 12th graders an authentic close look at those areas for future careers. 2024 Farm Progress show highlights During many past shows, new tractor models have drawn the most attention. This year, it was combines. Several new, larger machines were demonstrated. There were 14 combines in the field for spectators. A new attachment drew a lot of spectator attention. Geringfhoff is a German manufacturer that dates to 1880 and specializes in harvesting technology. In 2016, they announced new flexible combine draper heads, and this year, they announced a huge new flexible head with a 3-section reel and flexible cutter bar. Put yourself in the cab behind a 15-foot platform. Then add 35 feet to it. Then peer through the dust. It’s hard to imagine how it would be. Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH on domestic and foreign assignments before resigning to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See all his books on PaulWallem.com. Email your comments to pwallem@aol.com/ |
