FORT MEADE, Fla. — The Florida Flywheeler’s fall antique tractor show had many interesting things from a sea of vendors, a variety of museums and, of course, antique tractors.<br>
Parked in front of one of the International Harvester buildings, Allen Mammoser of Eden, N.Y., had his French International Farmall tractor. This tractor is a rare McCormick FD 235 that he assisted his son, Ken, in restoring.<br>
“The 1958 McCormick was built in France. The tractor was imported from Holland,” Mammoser said.<br>
The tractor was purchased from a Dutch man for whom Mammoser said he helped find a John Deere 6030. “I shipped it to him; it went over with six others,” he explained.<br>
Since he had found the tractor of the Dutch gentleman’s dreams, the recipient and his group of friends were glad to do the same in return for Mammoser, seeking his own special tractor.<br>
“I told him what I was looking for – I wanted a diesel that was easy to haul,” he said. Looking at his wife, Joan, he laughed and added, “It is an ‘old fart’ tractor.”<br>
The search for the tractor was successful, and international collector relations worked like a dream. Mammoser received the tractor about 18 months ago. When he ordered it, he had never seen the tractor, and hoped for the best; his hopes were rewarded.
“It was in good condition. It was straight. I bought it about 18 months ago, sight unseen,” he said, adding he was thrilled when he got the tractor home. “I don’t know where you’d find a nicer tractor.”<br>
The tractor engine was made in France and has a direct start diesel engine with glow plug. The 235 also touts a two-speed auxiliary transmission and has a factory three-point hitch.
“This tractor is a little like an International Harvester 230,” Mammoser said.<br>
While he assisted with the restoration, he said Ken was the point man and responsible for the beautiful Rustoleum paint job which made the tractor gleam and shine. It took a month to restore the tractor and the Mammosers worked around the clock to complete it in time for the Florida Flywheeler’s show.<br>
This was not Ken’s first attempt at restoration. His W-450 LP gas tractor is probably his Farmall Red pride and joy. The Wheatland has been in the Mammoser family for about 15 years.
Ken grew up on a farm and it was there he found his love for old iron back in 1983, when his father restored his grandfather’s Farmall A. Ken assisted as much as he could at the time.
“During my freshman/sophomore year, I restored an MTA to the best of my abilities”, Ken added.<br>
These days, the roles are reversed, and father is assisting son. Mammoser said his knack is in finding tractors and Ken’s is restoring them. Together, they do great work. Not only do they take the time to find and restore, but they also share beautiful tractors like the 1958 McCormick 235 with others.<br>