ALL ABOUT TRACTORS

BY PAUL WALLEM

 I visited the annual Gene Lane Memorial tractor ride on July 25. He was the co-founder of this ride that started some years ago. He was also a customer of my IH dealership during the 70s and 80s.

He’s gone now, but the ride continues, currently under the leadership of Trent Sanderson, a local third-generation farmer.

This year’s ride was well-organized, with a firm start time, proceeded by a rider’s briefing, acknowledgement of the county sheriff’s department that closed all side roads for the 56-tractor parade; lunch hosted by FFA; and two rest stops. A detailed route map was distributed. One tractor dropped out with engine problems, but rejoined the ride 20 minutes later.

Brands included Cockshutt, Ford, Jacobsen, Deere, Farmall and International, including one that brought back memories for me. It was an International 4156, driven by a friend, Mark Hickey. It was sold new from my IH dealership in 1970, 56 years ago.

Another friend trailered his Farmall 656 120 miles from Oneida, Ill., to participate. Rollie Moore can’t recall how many rides he’s joined. He just enjoys these events.

As I drove home, I thought about the long history of tractor rides. This particular ride raises funds for the Dekalb County Farm Bureau Foundation. Dozens of sponsors chip in each year for the event, as well as tractor drivers. FFA sponsors the noon luncheon. Many other rides also raise funds for different causes.

Only 1 percent of the American public now farms. They drive tractors spring and fall, and some still participate in tractor rides for fundraising and social friendships. This 1 percent raises the food for all of us, yet most members of the public know nothing about farming.

Somehow, we need to tell them they are appreciated.

Some of the electric tractors on the market now

Monarch MK-V Dairy, Utility, Standard - 40 PTO HP, 70 Max HP

Case IH Farmall 75C 65 PTO HP, 74 Max HP

Fendt e107 V Vario 50 KW, 68 HP

Solectrac e25G Gear, under 20HP/15 KW category

Several other brands are in test stages

Hydrogen – tractor fuel?

Hydrogen fuel is being tested in numerous tractor labs, for tractors, trucks and planes. Some tractor manufacturers are marketing models using a hydrogen/diesel mix. Hydrogen has the advantage of zero carbon emissions. Expense to produce is the current barrier to wider use.

Conventional fuels are not cheap to produce, however. Their process requires drilling holes in the ground, transporting it to a refinery where it is broken down into various uses including fuel; then transporting it via pipeline or truck to a distributor where it goes on another truck for local delivery. None of these are inexpensive steps.

Common use of hydrogen keeps getting closer.

Northern Illinois crop conditions

I travelled across three Illinois counties on July 17, all bordering Wisconsin. Some of the differences between corn and soybeans was noticeable. Soybeans in particular varied a lot, from weak to strong, showing the difference between early and late planting. Corn was more consistent in growth; however, even though most had tasseled, some had not. I believe spotty spring rains had much to do with this.

However, less than normal fertilizer could have some effect if the producer had not bought ahead of season and chose not to pay the large spring increases. As always, much will depend on heat and rain the rest of the season.

Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with IH in domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. Send comments to pwallem9@gmail.com.