Hobby Thread - September 12, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling lucky and decided on a farm tractor theme for this Hobby Thread.

A farm tractor theme? Yep. Let's get tractoring!

[Top photo: John Deere Model 80, Canfield Ohio Fair]

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Vintage farm equipment is a huge hobby. Lots of people have a vintage tractor, collect vintage equipment and restore projects. Is it the pull of nostalgia? The pull of machines? The pull of farming and the feeling of being self-sufficient and productive?

Many Fourth of July parades feature tractors. Many county fairs feature antique farm tractors. There are events dedicated exclusively to farm and construction equipment where static displays witness active demonstrations. There is an annual event known as Classic Green dedicated solely to John Deere equipment and memorabilia.

If you grew up on a farm, chances are good that you learned to drive on a tractor before a car. Chances are also good that you remember exactly what kind of tractor (or tractors) your family had.

The sheer quantity of tractor rescue and restoration content on YouTube is a testament to the deep vein of interest. (Bulldozer and other heavy equipment rescue and restoration is similar.) Many videos have the same storyline of "sitting for years, can we get it to run???" Some are more or less polished than others. Some feel like more clickbait/artificial drama than others. (We better understand the incentives and importance of the thumbnails after our recent look into YouTube creator economics.)

Are you wise in the ways of farm tractors? Do you have one (or more)? If not, would you like a tractor in your garage? Have you restored a tractor? Are you inclined towards heavy equipment in general? Are you into tractor pulls?

What's your brand of choice? Farmall/International Harvester? Case? Steiger? Allis-Chalmers? Ford? Oliver? MF? (farmer people know MF is Massey Furguson rather than a common profanity)

If you're inclined towards steam engines, please weigh in as well. Close enough.

Full disclosure: The family of TRex is a John Deere family. We're friendly to other brands (and I'm irritated at the John Deere right to repair nonsense), but decades of family history ran with the Deere. The local John Deere dealer spoke at my uncle's funeral if that tells you anything.

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What are you hobbying?

Tractors may not be your favorite but give it a chance before you judge and bail out. Any adjacent hobbying is in scope, so jump in with your interests, stories and questions.

In any event, the thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something or be entertained. If not, offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Anyone been to the Keller's Retired Tractor Museum in Wisconsin?

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You had me at "Parade of Power." This was in Du Quoin, Illinois.

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Steel wheels but a heartfelt restoration video with lots of family history mixed in which makes the project more special.

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Bulldozers are fun but they're not tractors. We'll do a separate thread someday for dozers, backhoes, cranes, dump trucks, etc., but this mini-Deere dozer looked too good to pass up. I also liked this one for the "hit it with a power washer and spray paint" backyard rough justice method of cosmetic repair.

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Ever been to a Classic Green Reunion? Check out this walk-around video from the 2025 edition in Wisconsin.

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Blacksmith John Deere did not invent tractors but did invent the steel plow in 1837.

Fast forward to 1974 when Landmark Winery in Sonoma, California was founded by Damaris Deere Ford. John Deere was her great-great-grandfather.

Every so often, you'll see touches in their branding that pay homage to their history:

Photocredit: stayradwineblog.com

Been a while since we've had a bottle of Landmark wine but we enjoyed many bottles in a prior life! Yum!

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Follow-up from last week:

I looked for free pallets on Craigslist and was shocked at the volume of listings. Who knew?

ICYMI, JQ posted a link last week to 34 DIY pallet projects. If any among the Horde embark on pallet hobbying projects, send a photo. Thank you!

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This has nothing to do with tractors, but I don't think I've ever seen a motorized scythe before.

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a painting theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comment from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I get allergic smelling hay!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:31 PM (1Ff7Z)

2 I don't know if I'd want to go to a retired tractor display. They'd probably just sit around bitching about how bad things are today.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:33 PM (1Ff7Z)

3 If any among the Horde embark on pallet hobbying projects, send a photo. Thank you!

I took apart a couple of pallets to make a tool corral for the yard implements. Looks like crap, so I won't embarrass my construction abilities by sending in a photo. Does the job, but it'd probably lose a beauty contest to Dylan Mulvaney.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:35 PM (1Ff7Z)

4 "She might have took my car keys --
But she forgot about my old John Deere!"

"She thinks my tractor's sexy . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:37 PM (wzUl9)

5 Couldn't have bulldozers or tanks if it weren't for Benjamin Holt and the Caterpillar.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:40 PM (1Ff7Z)

6 If model kit companies like Revell or he long-defunct Aurora had the wide range of assembly kits of the '60s and '70s, I'm sure at least one would produce a tractor in 1/25 scale to go along with a vintage Ford pickup truck. That 1938 JD looks like a good candidate. You could create a cool diorama: the tractor outside a barn or farmhouse, the dusty pickup nearby, and the stocky farmer with overalls or suspenders.

A double kit, perhaps, with tractor and pickup?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:41 PM (wzUl9)

7 Looks like it's just you and me, Wolfus.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:45 PM (1Ff7Z)

8 As for pipe smoking: Last week I received two "pay-it-forward" free vintage pipes, a Weber billiard (the classic cylindrical shape) and an "apple" (plump, rounded bowl) Canadian Club brand. I've smoked both and enjoyed them, esp. the Weber. Another member of that forum offered a couple of bowls of a blend from a shop in Jackson, MS, and I took him up on it: "Old Fashioned," it's called. A nice toasted sort of aroma and even a bit of flavor, smoked in the Canadian Club.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:46 PM (wzUl9)

9 I've only smoke cigars, Wolfus. One of my uncles was a pipe man. Only quit after his first heart attack.

One thing I can say about pipe smoke, is it doesn't make me gag like cigarettes.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:47 PM (1Ff7Z)

10 Oh fun! Tractors! Unfortunately, I didn’t get very many of my babies’ baby picture in the Great Divorce. They were all the computer, which he took, of course. One that I do have is of my youngest, with new walking feet, standing by a great big ol’ John Deere tire on our horse farm. I LOVE that picture. It’s adorable.

Posted by: Piper at September 12, 2026 05:47 PM (ZdaMQ)

11 Whew! At least someone else is here. It was getting a bit lonely.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:49 PM (1Ff7Z)

12 The "Old Fashioned" blend contains Virginia, burley, Dark Fired Kentucky (which can be strong), and some Cavendish. I only recently found that "Cavendish" is a process, not a kind of tobacco, and that both burleys and Virginias can be used as a base for Cavendish preparation. The pipe shop's website says the Cavendish in this blend is based on burley.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:50 PM (wzUl9)

13 I have 8 Deere tractors that run. All 2 cylinders except for my little loader tractor. It's a 750 4 WD with a 3 cylinder Yanmar engine. Also have a Grey market Kubota. Wasn't meant to be sold in the US.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 05:50 PM (IFwjj)

14 Unfortunately, my hobbies are pretty dang boring and for the most part, I share them with y’all on the daily. More than you want, I am sure! But there is something incredibly iconic about a John Deere.

Posted by: Piper at September 12, 2026 05:51 PM (ZdaMQ)

15 I'm still working on the Bayou Jumper radio mentioned above (thanks, TRex). The stain and finish on the case turned out well. I've mostly got the guts of the radio soldered onto the circuit board, but these last few steps that involve mounting connectors have been challenging. I'm going to step away from the workbench for a while. I think I've earned a break, and maybe a drink. I'll send pictures once I get it all together and tested (assuming it passes the smoke test).

Posted by: PabloD at September 12, 2026 05:52 PM (B7yLN)

16 My dad's side was country folk, but I don't ever remember them having a tractor. Some horses around and some plows, but no tractors.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:52 PM (1Ff7Z)

17 My association with tractors begins and ends with a John Deere kid's model, pedaled like a tricycle. No idea why my folks got it for me but it was so cool, way better than the typical trike my friends had. Must have been pretty well made since it survived to be used by my little brother a few years later.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 05:53 PM (yTvNw)

18 Well, a motorized scythe is just a lawnmower. Just with a double, rotating blade.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 05:53 PM (zZu0s)

19 I've only smoke cigars, Wolfus. One of my uncles was a pipe man. Only quit after his first heart attack.

One thing I can say about pipe smoke, is it doesn't make me gag like cigarettes.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026

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You don't inhale that stuff any more than you do cigars. If you did I'd never have gotten into the pipe years ago, or again recently after a long layoff.

I've tried a few of the little cigarillos, and they're fine, but I only smoke those outdoors; and ten months of the year it's too hot to be outside here.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:54 PM (wzUl9)

20 Top picture is a Model A not 80.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 05:54 PM (IFwjj)

21 Going to see a drone show in a bit

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 05:57 PM (qEb4U)

22 Orange tractors rule.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 12, 2026 05:58 PM (2Cry5)

23 You don't inhale that stuff any more than you do cigars. If you did I'd never have gotten into the pipe years ago, or again recently after a long layoff.

I've tried a few of the little cigarillos, and they're fine, but I only smoke those outdoors; and ten months of the year it's too hot to be outside here.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 05:54 PM (wzUl9)

So, just puffing on it, then exhale? That seems to me it's more for the aroma then the actual hit from the nicotine like in cigarettes.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:59 PM (1Ff7Z)

24 Long ago, use to be a Grange Fair and would be hundreds of tractors, some all but a hundred yo.

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 05:59 PM (qEb4U)

25 20 Top picture is a Model A not 80.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 05:54 PM

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Thanks for the correction!

Posted by: TRex - fuzzy sign photo dino at September 12, 2026 05:59 PM (XfIK1)

26 It wouldn't be accurate to say I grew up on a farm but I did live on one for a number of years once my mom's horse bug became an addiction. And yea, we had a Deere. No idea the model number but it had a bucket in front and a PTO in back which my dad, the tool, addict. took for a message from God to buy ever crazy piece of stuff ever made. And I spent far too much of my life in that thing.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre had nothing on my dad's workshop.

Truth is it was a ton of fun.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 12, 2026 06:00 PM (viF8m)

27 I wonder if part of the interest in old tractors and other farm equipment is respect for seriously well-made machines that are worth preserving. Things that were designed to last through real use. I put manual typewriters and classic firearms in the same category.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:00 PM (yTvNw)

28 Orange tractors rule.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 12, 2026 05:58 PM (2Cry5)

Well, yeah.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 06:00 PM (1Ff7Z)

29 27 I wonder if part of the interest in old tractors and other farm equipment is respect for seriously well-made machines that are worth preserving. Things that were designed to last through real use. I put manual typewriters and classic firearms in the same category.
Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:00

Maybe a longing for a past time, too, even though we have romanticized what those lives actually were.

Posted by: Piper at September 12, 2026 06:01 PM (ZdaMQ)

30 So, just puffing on it, then exhale? That seems to me it's more for the aroma then the actual hit from the nicotine like in cigarettes.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:59 PM (1Ff7Z)

You're still getting a bit of nicotine from both the smoke rolling over your gums and cheeks and stray vapor being inhaled. The problem is the smoke is far too harsh to inhale directly most of the time (think Pall Mall non filter 100s.) It'll screw you up.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:01 PM (zZu0s)

31 I wonder if part of the interest in old tractors and other farm equipment is respect for seriously well-made machines that are worth preserving. Things that were designed to last through real use. I put manual typewriters and classic firearms in the same category.
Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:00 PM (yTvNw)

Same as vinyl and books. Not cars, though. Beautiful and powerful, but not as safe or long-lasting as today's boring boxes.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 06:02 PM (1Ff7Z)

32 Looks like it's just you and me, Wolfus.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 05:45 PM (1Ff7Z)
=====

We are always watching.

And waiting.

Posted by: Council of Cats at September 12, 2026 06:03 PM (RIvkX)

33 And always remember the rule of thumb of pipe tobacco.

Tastes good---> smells horrible.

Smells good----> tastes horrible.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:04 PM (zZu0s)

34
You're still getting a bit of nicotine from both the smoke rolling over your gums and cheeks and stray vapor being inhaled. The problem is the smoke is far too harsh to inhale directly most of the time (think Pall Mall non filter 100s.) It'll screw you up.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:01 PM (zZu0s)

The smoke's in the mouth only pretty much, so I'd expect some kind of reaction, just not as strong as coffin nails.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 06:04 PM (1Ff7Z)

35 So, just puffing on it, then exhale? That seems to me it's more for the aroma then the actual hit from the nicotine like in cigarettes.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026

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Exactly right. A little nicotine ("Vitamin N") is absorbed into your mouth, I guess, and strong blends can make your head spin, so I avoid those or mix them with milder blends. If I haven't worked out, a morning pipe does give a bit of a lift, along with my coffee.

The other day I had to fast for a blood draw. No food, coffee, or (I was guessing) pipe that morning. At breakfast later, the coffee provided a definite lift. So did the pipe I loaded and smoked that afternoon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 06:04 PM (wzUl9)

36 I believe Weasel drives a John Deere at the start of his YT videos at Weasel Acres.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:05 PM (yTvNw)

37 We are always watching.

And waiting.
Posted by: Council of Cats at September 12, 2026 06:03 PM (RIvkX)

Us too.

Posted by: The Vets at September 12, 2026 06:05 PM (1Ff7Z)

38 I recently added a 3rd function to my 1025r so I could add a grapple.

Getting a tractor is a game changer, getting a grapple is like getting a super power.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 12, 2026 06:05 PM (XV/Pl)

39 [Less politics. More tractors. Thank you. - TRex]

Posted by: Paul at September 12, 2026 06:06 PM (gM2YV)

40 I still work out 3-4 mornings a week, and my walk/run time over two miles is about the same as in 2020 before I took up the pipe again. So I don't think a pipe a day has affected my endurance or wind.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 06:07 PM (wzUl9)

41 Rule of thumb: get your mind out of the gutter. No wait: get your mind out of the Biden.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at September 12, 2026 06:08 PM (wxsGM)

42 Lol.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:08 PM (zZu0s)

43 [More tractoring. Less politics. Thank you. -TRex]

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at September 12, 2026 06:10 PM (wxsGM)

44 And when a little guy many years my grandfather took me to the Steam show out near Lancaster. My sister says she went sometimes as well.

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:10 PM (qEb4U)

45 I've never understood the concept of smoking and NOT inhaling. Isn't that like chewing your food and spitting it out?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 12, 2026 06:11 PM (Cqx++)

46 Same as vinyl and books. Not cars, though. Beautiful and powerful, but not as safe or long-lasting as today's boring boxes.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026

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I know. Everywhere you go, cars all look the same, like almonds, shaped to wedge under the wind. All in the same dull metallic colors, or black or white, with only an occasional red, blue, green, or yellow. And only gray, cream, or black interiors.

It's still possible to get a ruby red car with a cream interior, like my Buick. But I wonder how much longer.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 12, 2026 06:12 PM (wzUl9)

47 Vintage tractors are cool. Vintage bulldozers are super cool.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 12, 2026 06:12 PM (S41Gd)

48 Little turned 21 last week, so he purchased and smoked his first legal cigar, a Padron 1965 Anniversary. My present to him was a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned, prepared by the capable and nubile Avery at my favorite cigar lounge in downtown Sarasota.

He went back later in the week with a friend. It would seem that this hobby has been successfully passed on to the next generation..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at September 12, 2026 06:13 PM (nbLIj)

49 Deere's first crawlers were converted to tracks by the Lindeman company in Lindeman, Washington. The first Deere crawler was the Model M crawler.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 06:13 PM (IFwjj)

50 44 And when a little guy many years my grandfather took me to the Steam show out near Lancaster. My sister says she went sometimes as well.

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:10 PM
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There are a bunch of videos on YT from the steam show. Seems like something I ought to visit at least once...

Posted by: TRex - digger dino at September 12, 2026 06:14 PM (XfIK1)

51 45 I've never understood the concept of smoking and NOT inhaling. Isn't that like chewing your food and spitting it out?
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 12, 2026 06:11 PM (Cqx++)

Its hard not to do reflexively after you've smoked cigarettes. (Which is why I haven't smoked a pipe in a long time.)

Part of the allure of smoking is the ritual. Deep breaths. Quiet moments. Fixed amount of time as the tobacco burns. Tools (lighter, scraper, etc.)

Pipe smoking takes that and focuses on it, rather than the pure nicotine hit.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:14 PM (zZu0s)

52 Sister, parents and me heading to this drone show

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:16 PM (qEb4U)

53 Have fun, skip.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:17 PM (zZu0s)

54 Its hard not to do reflexively after you've smoked cigarettes. (Which is why I haven't smoked a pipe in a long time.)

Part of the allure of smoking is the ritual. Deep breaths. Quiet moments. Fixed amount of time as the tobacco burns. Tools (lighter, scraper, etc.)

Pipe smoking takes that and focuses on it, rather than the pure nicotine hit.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at September 12, 2026 06:14 PM (zZu0s)

My bass player smokes anything that burns. Pipes, cigars cigarettes, even a vape. Showed up a few weeks ago with a church warden. I called him Frodo. lol

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 12, 2026 06:17 PM (S41Gd)

55 Vintage tractors are cool. Vintage bulldozers are super cool.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 12, 2026 06:12 PM (S41Gd)

Like the D9?! LIKE THE D9?!

Posted by: Rachel Corrie at September 12, 2026 06:17 PM (1Ff7Z)

56 For Wolfus, OrangeEnt and other pipe smokers. I don't get a nicotine hit from pipe smoking but I appreciate the taste of the tobacco(s) in the blend. In my younger days I was a HEAVY cigarette smoker: 4 to 5 packs of Winstons or Marlboros a day, so I know what a nicotine hit is like. (I was often working 16 hour days back then and you could smoke about anywhere.) I quit cigarettes over 40 years ago and eventually I was able to start tasting things again, including food and pipe tobacco.

Smoking cigarettes is a chemical addiction as well as a habit. Pipe smoking is a relaxing mind set that doesn't dominate you physically.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:18 PM (yTvNw)

57
I'm afraid the only tractor I have is a zero-turn mower.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 12, 2026 06:19 PM (eRlcH)

58 Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:18 PM (yTvNw)

Sorry, JTB. My uncle was a pipe smoker. I never have, only a couple of cigars decades ago. I don't smoke.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 12, 2026 06:21 PM (1Ff7Z)

59 This week I started work on the Revell 1/24 scale Ford F950 Earthfucker kit. Not sure yet what color I'll paint it.

Posted by: far cry at September 12, 2026 06:22 PM (wBRco)

60 The first tractor I drove was a Deere Model D. Dad told me to drive it through the field/pasture gate. I was nervous, jammed the hand clutch instead of engaging it slowly. Dad buggered his shin trying to get things under control.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 06:23 PM (IFwjj)

61 The guy who bulldozed and leveled the back yard at the old house used a restored 1947 CAT D4. It was frigging cool. I was calling it the Iwo Jima model.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 12, 2026 06:24 PM (S41Gd)

62 Looked something like this bad boy. But older and no roll bar.

https://tinyurl.com/2t936p2t

Posted by: JackStraw at September 12, 2026 06:25 PM (viF8m)

63 I was a HEAVY cigarette smoker: 4 to 5 packs of Winstons or Marlboros a day, so I know what a nicotine hit is like.
Posted by: JTB
________

Jeez, you must have been continuously lighting one off the end of another.

I smoked and dipped for about 20 years. Got to the point with dipping that I didnt use a spitter.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at September 12, 2026 06:28 PM (XvL8K)

64 I wonder if part of the interest in old tractors and other farm equipment is respect for seriously well-made machines that are worth preserving. Things that were designed to last through real use. I put manual typewriters and classic firearms in the same category.
Posted by: JTB

Shade tree mechanics can get an old tractor running and working. new ones... not so much.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 12, 2026 06:30 PM (NnhvP)

65 Dad tried pipe smoking after his favorite cigar brand changed from a natural leaf to a composite wrapper. Give the man credit, I always thought they were foul, cheap, things from the get go. Nope, it was the cellulose and scraps wrapper that did it for him.

A cousin suggested he try smoking a pipe, which he did for a while. His biggest complaint was the work involved for maybe a 10-15 minute smoke. In the late 90's I turned him on to hand rolled sticks from a local shop in his old Ironbound neighborhood, and he was happily back to cigars..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at September 12, 2026 06:31 PM (nbLIj)

66 Between old injuries and getting older my hands aren't as nimble as they were. I'm going to try crochet to get some dexterity back but in a gentle way. I considered knitting but crochet appears to require more and varied hand motions. I have the hooks and yarn. Doesn't matter what I try to make, just want to learn and get the exercise. (Probably as well. My first attempts will likely look like something from an HP Lovecraft story.)

Any folks here who got involved with fiber arts to help with their hands? Did it help?

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:33 PM (yTvNw)

67 Shade tree mechanics can get an old tractor running and working. new ones... not so much.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 12, 2026 06:30 PM
***
The downside of electronics and computers.

Posted by: TRex - shadetree dino at September 12, 2026 06:34 PM (XfIK1)

68 Just so y’all know,
Kissing a guy who chews is pretty gross.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 12, 2026 06:37 PM (yEz+x)

69 I've driven a few different brands of tractors. Case, Ford, Ferguson IH. The IH model M and H clutch seemed like an on and off switch. Not engaged to fully engaged and off you go.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 06:42 PM (IFwjj)

70 The downside of electronics and computers.
Posted by: TRex - shadetree dino

The right to repair argument.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at September 12, 2026 06:42 PM (NnhvP)

71 63 ... "Jeez, you must have been continuously lighting one off the end of another."

Biff,
Pretty much. Quitting cigarettes was the second smartest thing I ever did. (Marrying Mrs. JTB was the smartest.)

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:44 PM (yTvNw)

72 I think that steam show still maybe going on, pass the field going to the Lancaster war game conventions. Trued to find the name but unsuccessful.

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:45 PM (QLHQ2)

73 >>(Marrying Mrs. JTB was the smartest.)

She's standing behind you right now, isn't she.

Blink twice if you need help.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 12, 2026 06:47 PM (viF8m)

74 Grandparents had an old White tractor on the farm. There was an International, no idea the model, that was behind the barn. Steel wheels and all. Complete rust.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 12, 2026 06:48 PM (h06De)

75 72 I think that steam show still maybe going on, pass the field going to the Lancaster war game conventions. Trued to find the name but unsuccessful.

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:45 PM
***
National Pike Steam Show in Brownsville, PA
Small event in May, bigger annual event in August.

Posted by: TRex - dozer dino at September 12, 2026 06:50 PM (XfIK1)

76 I use Blick for some art supplies so they have my email. A coupe of days ago I got one touting their many new fiber arts items: looms, kits, needlepoint yarns and threads, etc. I didn't even know they offered any. I assume interest in fiber arts is on the rise if Blick is adding it to their inventory. Just FYI.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 06:50 PM (yTvNw)

77 National Pike Steam Show in Brownsville, PA
Small event in May, bigger annual event in August.
Posted by: TRex - dozer dino

Saw it advertised, but never went. It looks cool.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 12, 2026 06:51 PM (h06De)

78 Pfft. Only a commie bohunk would be caught driving a John Deere Model 80.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 12, 2026 06:54 PM (4Je4D)

79 A tractor is indispensable for me. A few weeks ago I pulled up 60 feet of concrete driveway to replace it. I use them to move engines and stuff, clear fallen trees, digging holes, grading, moving dirt, gravel, etc. Then there's bush hogging and mowing. Here and at the farm. So I have 3 and a ZTR mower.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 06:54 PM (MWfyi)

80 Meh. It's no Hoyt-Clagwell Model F.

Posted by: Oliver Wendell Douglas at September 12, 2026 06:56 PM (4Je4D)

81 Rough and Tumble Steam show Kinzer Pa, was a couple weeks ago

Posted by: Skip at September 12, 2026 06:56 PM (QLHQ2)

82 My dad grew up on a dairy farm in Laramie, WY, in the 1930's. He and his little brother ran a team of horses to plow, harrow, plant, mow hay, etc., so dad would have started that when he was about 8 years old and his brother was six. He saw other farms with tractors, but they didn't get one until the 1940's.

The did have a steam thresher come through every year, and he remembers when one exploded on a farm a good 10 miles away. Everyone heard it, and they thought the world was coming to an end. I guess about a dozen people died in that accident. Just awful.

As dangerous as farming can be, modernization has meant a huge level of safety.

Posted by: tcn in AK at September 12, 2026 06:57 PM (Ntshk)

83 The first four-wheeled motorized vehicle I ever drove [at age 12, 1977] was the 1932 Allis-Chalmers B that my dad had just bought. He had me drive it home, with him trailing in the pickup truck, mostly because the fellow who had volunteered to loan him a trailer hadn't mentioned the trailer had 3 flat tires and one tire-free wheel. Dad had already committed to pick up the tractor that day, so pick it up we did.
After he retired, Dad take up "flywheeling" as his main hobby. He bought a series of rundown tractors and restored them to showroom stock. His favorite, and the one he kept rather than sold after restoration, was a Minneapolis-Moline.

if you want to get into the hobby, I'd recommend seeking out your local Flywheelers' Club.

Posted by: Gundo at September 12, 2026 06:58 PM (1a7fN)

84 The did have a steam thresher come through every year, and he remembers when one exploded on a farm a good 10 miles away. Everyone heard it, and they thought the world was coming to an end. I guess about a dozen people died in that accident. Just awful.

Pfft. Ever had your testicles caught up in a John Deere Combine Harvester?

Posted by: One-Ball Saul at September 12, 2026 06:59 PM (4Je4D)

85 If you are familiar with Branson tractors, they got bought by a South Korean company,TYM, that builds pretty much the same tractor in Rome, Georgia. It uses a 3 cyl Cummins clone that's parts compatible with the one Branson was licensed to build. Anyway I got one and its a pretty good tractor for the price and it has a cab and AC which is glorious. I call it Tim.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 06:59 PM (MWfyi)

86 I have about 300 years of Quebec farmers in my ancestry. Bet they would have loved to have tractors to work the ground.

Posted by: JTB at September 12, 2026 07:00 PM (yTvNw)

87 Deere got into the tractor business when they bought the Waterloo Boy tractor company. Great for collecting, not so much for farming. Their first Deere tractor was the Model D, then the 3 row GP, kind of a failure.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 07:01 PM (IFwjj)

88 if you want to get into the hobby, I'd recommend seeking out your local Flywheelers' Club.

Posted by: Gundo at September 12, 2026 06:58 PM
***
I can look on the interweb later, but are Flywheelers Clubs common?

Posted by: TRex - vintage dino at September 12, 2026 07:03 PM (XfIK1)

89 The 25hp TYM I got a couple of years ago has no electronics. That's one of the reasons I got it. Also, because it's under 25hp, it doesn't use DEF. Even at only 25hp it will pick up over 2000 lbs. I looked at 40hps but this one does the job.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:03 PM (MWfyi)

90 I had a old little John Deere I sold to an old guy who had a whole barn full of JD tractors. He said he had over 100 and they were all pre 1980 or so.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:08 PM (MWfyi)

91 "I can look on the interweb later, but are Flywheelers Clubs common?"
I'm pretty sure they are. I know my Dad's club had shared events with several other Flywheelers' Clubs in Michigan.

Posted by: Gundo at September 12, 2026 07:08 PM (1a7fN)

92 90 I had a old little John Deere I sold to an old guy who had a whole barn full of JD tractors. He said he had over 100 and they were all pre 1980 or so.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:08 PM
***
Was his name Ronster?

Posted by: TRex - flywheeler dino at September 12, 2026 07:09 PM (XfIK1)

93 Just got back from my sister and brother in law's farm. Chickens, cattle, goats, some sheep and pigs. My sister is an SC health inspector., so I arrived home loaded with healthy vittles.

Tractors, skid loaders, trailers, freezers. Everywhere.

Posted by: mrp at September 12, 2026 07:10 PM (rj6Yv)

94 I plan on getting a Ford 8N sometime soon. The canonical tractor.

And freaking 75 years old.

But working models available for under $2000.

Posted by: blaster at September 12, 2026 07:11 PM (NlEaG)

95 https://walloonlakeflywheelers.com/

Posted by: Gundo at September 12, 2026 07:12 PM (1a7fN)

96 Ford 8N is EMP proof.

Posted by: blaster at September 12, 2026 07:12 PM (NlEaG)

97 During WW11, Deere was asked to build something for the war.
They took an unstyled A and wrapped it with steel plating. They weren't really trying. I've seen pictures of it. It is to laugh.

Posted by: Ronster at September 12, 2026 07:12 PM (IFwjj)

98 >>If you are familiar with Branson tractors, they got bought by a South Korean company,TYM, that builds pretty much the same tractor in Rome, Georgia. It uses a 3 cyl Cummins clone that's parts compatible with the one Branson was licensed to build. Anyway I got one and its a pretty good tractor for the price and it has a cab and AC which is glorious. I call it Tim.

Saw a video on X posted by a woman who is taking over the family farm in Iowa. She posted it from the cab of her ginormous tractor.

Everything was computer and gps driven Which she oversaw from her air conditioned perch Incredible how sophisticated farming has become.

Posted by: JackStraw at September 12, 2026 07:12 PM (viF8m)

99 "Was his name Ronster?
Posted by: TRex - flywheeler dino"

I don't remember. He was an old black gentleman, with white hair and dressed in overalls. I was glad he got it, because I was tired of messing with it, and he didn't have one like it so we were both happy.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:14 PM (MWfyi)

100 Saw a sign at an antique tractor show:

If it casts a shadow it can be restored.

Posted by: Great Plains Drifter at September 12, 2026 07:15 PM (85Bnm)

101 I have heard you need 1hp per acre. Seems about right. So the 25hp of an 8N means it would not be main tractor.

I want a Lamborghini like Clarkson.

Posted by: blaster at September 12, 2026 07:15 PM (NlEaG)

102 I have a John Deere 770, but the finer work is what has to happen today, so out there with D-1 and a grubbing hoe...glad I can still do this kind of thing...hope I can still stand up straight tomorrow.

Well, water glass is empty - back to it.

Posted by: Don in SoCc at September 12, 2026 07:16 PM (I9XXk)

103 " I use Blick for some art supplies"

Mrs fd's favorite store.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:17 PM (MWfyi)

104 My BIL operates two D6 dozers for the landfill work and to cut roads and trails on the property.

Posted by: mrp at September 12, 2026 07:20 PM (rj6Yv)

105 Obviously don't own or restore tractors, but just want to jump in to say how awesome it all is. Anything that I can fit into the "Industrial Age, Industrial Art" category is primo. Only aspect I dabble (slightly) in is rifles, where the "industrial art" of my M1s and carbine never cease to please. Even the Mosin-Nagants in their own way, especially when you see how the "industrial art" was slimmed down to "we need it now!" in the war-time examples.

Was focused on other parts of the puzzle but always instinctively felt like I agreed with my friends who lamented America's departure from *making things* during the great off-shoring debacle.

Posted by: rhomboid at September 12, 2026 07:21 PM (U/Byj)

106 Got a 1964 MF Super 90 Diesel high crop tractor I use to mow firebreaks out back, and plow snow when my 1970-ish IH Payloader won't start.
Had to split the tractor to replace the clutch, and put the Payloader together from a pile of parts my neighbor gave me - he runs an excavation business and had the machine sitting for 15 years.

Posted by: Chuck Kuecker at September 12, 2026 07:23 PM (UxT09)

107 "I have heard you need 1hp per acre. Seems about right. So the 25hp of an 8N means it would not be main tractor."

That depends on what you are going to do with it. We don't farm anything but trees so no plowing spraying harvesting etc. A 25hp diesel is amazing strong.

Posted by: fd at September 12, 2026 07:23 PM (MWfyi)

108 I want a Lamborghini like Clarkson.

Posted by: blaster at September 12, 2026 07:15 PM
***
I can hear his voice "POWER!!!" and "How hard can it be??"

We were trackside for a race of Porsche tractors a few years ago at Laguna Seca. Despite a paddock full of unobtainium Porsche race cars, the tractors were the biggest hit of the weekend. Maybe I'll find a video clip and include it in future hobby thread content...

Posted by: TRex - tractor racing dino at September 12, 2026 07:23 PM (XfIK1)

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