Delta Dirt

quote from Gary--- "Delta Dirt, You need to get that Universal restored. Easy for me to say???" Yep-----think the 1st thing I need to do is acquire a head transplant for myself-----------and then maybe I could get started on the tractors. You see professor------it ain't so bad that my tractor's clutch is slipping---------but, it's my damn clutch that's slipping!!!!! But the good news is here's a Moline Universal model D that has been restored------compliments of my buddy "Cat Spotter" over on the ACMOC board (and taken up at the Old Thresher's Reunion a couple of years ago). Apparently these old tractors are a "collectors item"------but ironically, I have found more around than one would think. Still see one listed occasionally in some of the estate auctions. I have a copy of a poster size advertizement on the Universal model D ----wish I had a means to scan and post some of it up. Maybe get some partial scans later. And I didn't realize so many manufacturer's utilized the "Universal" nametag. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Tuba--- Thanks for the clarification. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Gary--- I remember seeing the "Square Turn" tractor being operated during an interview with Carl Memke on one of the RFD TV antique tractor shows. I am thinking Memke himself was running it. He has quite a collection-----and could tell some history on each tractor!!!!! So-----the Square Turn was manufactured by Moline Plow Co.???? My Universal is a Model D-----complete with the concrete wheel weights like you have pictured. I had the photo with the binder----but swiped the last picture you posted. That's the first time I have seen it-----thanks. Our old tractor was complete up until about 1980. My dad had loaned it to my uncle and it set up there for years when I was a kid------my uncle died and my aunt's grandson came across to spend the summer with her. He was only in high school----but very mechanically oriented, and decided he was going to tear the engine down and rebuild it. Well----he got the engine torn down easy enough-------but school started back----he went back home and the tractor had set up in her barn for a couple of years before I realized that he had torn the engine apart. I went up and picked the tractor up and brought it home-----but it appears we are missing a few engine parts. Seems like we are missing a valve or two-------but the tractor is relatively intact. And I've been saying I'm gonna get it back together for years now------seems like tomorrow don't ever come (while in reality several tomorrows come and go before you ever know it)--------that Grecian Formula just don't seem to work anymore!!! Thanks for the photo. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Man----I missed school here for a couple of days and come back and find that ya'll been talking about all sorts of good stuff---------like Moline Universals, etc. Heres a couple of pictures of a Moline Universal (manufactured by Moline Plow Co.)-----these tractors were manufactured during the WWI era (1916-----early 1920's). They were supposedly the first tractor with lights, etc., in addition to being one of the first practical row crop tractors-------and apparently built to be a first step from the mule toward mechanization------and allow the farmer to utilize his mule implements at the same time. We've got a unrestored (rusty and dusty) 1920 model left over from my dad's day-----but don't know where he acquired it. Think he might have taken it in as a trade in on a Farmall Regular when he was the IH dealer here in Greenville. These pictures were supposedly taken in Texas----but from the appearance of the flat terrain, soil composition and labor, it looks as if this picture could have been taken right here in the Mississippi Delta. I do know that my dad never farmed with this tractor----but he had loaned it to my uncle, and my cousin remembers his dad disking with it. If I remember right-----its a 10 speed------as selected by the throttle setting (1 speed forward transmission). Anybody got any idea as to what brand chewing tobacco the old timer's got in his hip pocket?? Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

"Professor"--- What years were the Six Speed Specials manufactured???? Presuming early----mid 20's???? Also----in viewing your parts book photo; it appears that the truck had two transmission sticks in the illustration-----was it maybe a 3 speed with a high/low??? Apparently-----they were pretty popular old trucks for the time. In seeing the truck photo with the tank loaded on its back-----reminded me of an old "semi trailer" that my dad had left over from those days (was rusting scrap when I wuz a kid). It set on the shop yard for years (think it even had the solid rubber tires)--------and all of 20 ft. long at its maximum. Reckon it got hauled to the scap yard before my time------and man, do I still kick myself for all the items that I have hauled off myself. Anybody got any calibration device that will tell a man when its "junk" and when its a "collectible"??????---------seems like the older I get, the less "junk" I see. (must be my eyesight???) Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Thanks for the replies on the old IHC pickup everybody. Looks like Ralph has got it pegged. Hope you don't mind Ralph--------but for future reference, I swiped a copy of your truck's picture to my files. How long have you had it-----that's a beauty!!!! Also----thanks for the info on the Mercury trucks. Good luck on your 2 speed motor problems. I have replaced 2 or 3 motors in my time---------but have also resolved numerous 2 speed axle problems within the electrical circuits (dirty contacts within the switch button----and blown fuses, etc.)-------make sure you are getting fire to the motor before reaching for the new electric motor. I did have to replace the one on my F-700 a couple of years ago-----and I am thinking it was somewhere around the $300 mark. The 2 speed axle sure makes alot more truck out of most any truck-----if used correctly, it will sure save lugging your engine. The F-700 has a 5 speed with the 2 speed rear axle---------(po-boys 10 speed). Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Back sorta quick here tonight-----picked up my new edition of "Farm Collector" magazine tonight and found an interesting Letter to the Editor from a Gary Yaeger of Kalispell, Montana----complete with illustrative pictures. Hey ya'll------that's none other than our Professor Highwheeler himself. Looks like the classroom is expanding Gary. That was a well written and illustrated article on the header barges and binders. I figure the operator on the "seat steer" header must have slept propped in a corner at night-----that had to be a full days work. Don't believe I would want anything but fresh air touching my butt after steering that header all day. Congratulations on your article-----I got a real kick out of turning the page and seeing your name at the bottom of the article. Probably gonna be out of town for several days------see ya'll next week. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

While the subject is "old pick up trucks"----- Can someone identify the make and year of this pickup-----this is apparently a snap shot of my dad riding along one of the field roads. Sorry the picture is not clearer-----started out as a small snap shot and I have enlarged it. Sometimes I think its an early model IHC-----sometimes General Motors; I am somewhat in the dark since I wasn't manufactured until 1943. Another question concerning the Mercury trucks. Were the Mercury trucks only marketed in Canada??? I don't ever remember seeing any here in the states. Don't know exactly when Ford added in the 50 models------but do remember the earlier ('48----maybe '52) models primarily being F-1, F-2, F3---------F7, F8 models. F-1 = 1/2 ton; F-2 = 3/4 ton; F-3 = 1 ton-----I am thinking that along about '53 they added the F-350 as Gary has pictured, but maybe still had the F-300. Its funny-----but Ford has an apparently factory sponsored "Truck Forum", but it all seems to be geared toward current production models. Real hard to get any information on the older trucks-----or anything above the current F-350 dualies. Last but not least--------a special thanks to Mike and all of the troops protecting us during these precarious times. Please pass a big ol Mississippi thanks on to Mike------and ask Mike to pass it on to his troops. We've had a U.S. flag flying out front since before noon on 9/11/01. Once a Marine-----always a Marine!!!!-----but salute all of our troops in all branches of service. Thanks for your service. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

quote: "Ralph here,s a centre fold from a Canadian Farming magazine." Ray What is it about these birthdays??????-------used to be that I would be drooling over Playboy centerfolds---------now here I am drooling over old rusty scrap iron centerfolds. Must be about time to ship me on off to the asylum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe we will hit it lucky and all get sent off to the same asylum. Here's the bus we gonna be riding on------all aboard. The story on the old bus is that I found it this past fall on a farm tract that I was selling----and the buyer considered it to be "environmentally unfriendly". Had to get a scrap hauler to haul it off. I had posted this over on the truck forum at the time-----I believe it was decided that in most probability it was a K5 or K6 series-----WWII era. Originally had been a school bus-----but served out its later years hauling cotton choppers to the cotton fields here in the Mississippi Delta. Hated to see it cut up-----but nobody showed any interest in it. Buyer and Seller said it had to go----I was satisfied to keep the pictures. Believe it or not-----when the scrapper cut it in to, the brake lines still had brake fluid in them. Lots of rust-----but the old fenders, etc. were still solid. And I am glad to report to Ralph (ol' Loadstar himself)------that the scrap hauler hauled it off on the back of a 1967 Loadstar 1700 (with a Grove Roll Back implement bed)-----thought that might ease the pain for some of you. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Worth noting---- (I also posted this over on the ACME (CAT) board) MB. Cat on Machinery of the Past -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saw our friend MB. CAT (aka: John Wythe) on RFD TV's "Machinery of the Past" last night. Not only has John got some Cats on tracks-----but looks like he's got a barn full of tractors on wheels. And he wuz out driving them around too. Great collection of tractors John------just like seeing one of my buddies up the road a piece (well uh------from Mississippi to Manitoba----that's quite a ways, maybe more than a few minutes ride). When was the show filmed????----you might have been a TV star all along and I am just now seeing it. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

quote Gary: "It appears they really were plowing. Many times today, they go through the motions, thinking us old timers won't notice they aren't REALLY plowing." Professor--- I realized that the plows were in the lift postition-----and noted how close the chairs and people were on the sidelines, but figured you had snapped your picture after they had stopped. So the question is-----did they actually make a pass pulling all 50 bottoms with the steamers, or was it staged???? One way or another-----looks like the ground had been plowed. I also see dust flying in the later posted 60 bottom photo. You boys wouldn't pull an ol Mississippi red neck's leg would ya??? Delta Dirt

re: photo of steamers pulling 50 bottom plow I am thinking that wuz what the ol timers called "hittin the bull in the ass with a big ax" and it looks like they were doing a pretty good job of plowing----looking level, etc.!!!! impressive Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Excuse me 664-----I had mistakenly thought that Loadstar had posted the picture of the big calliope. I had noted that it looked to be loaded on a semi-----and tried to read the notation referencing the firewood, but could not make it out. Can read it easily after you made note of it. I saw where Gary referenced a "pipe organ"-----------of what my impression of a calliope was. Wonder if all calliopes are built up with the steam whistles-------or if this was a special configuration. We may have to wait for the "professor and muscian" to get back in town for an answer---if he can play an accordian-------I reckon he ought to be able to play a calliope!!!!!! (I have a hard time patting my foot) Delta Dirt

Ralph--- You got me going now on the steam whistles with that picture of the big calliope. As a kid----I can remember the whistles on the trains---calliope's at the circus-------but best of all the calliopes on the river boats out here on the Mississippi River. (we are located right along the Mississippi River-----but on the protected side of the mainline levee) The last one I remember hearing must have been in 1973----we had an extremely high River stage for a prolonged period of time. Had carried the children down on the mainline levee one Sunday afternoon to fly kites and Bar B Que some ribs------when I could hear a calliope playing far away in the distance. Realized it was one of the River boats coming down stream-----loaded the grill and children up in the pickup and rushed off down the levee for a couple of miles to where we could get an open view of the River. Am thinking it was the Delta Queen going South-----but what a site. Can still hear the calliope playing-----I showed your picture to my wife and we both remembered that afternoon. Thanks for the memories. I wouldn't think there are many calliopes that size left around------the one pictured must be worth a fortune. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Gary--- The "gizmo" mounted on the rear of the F-20 is a pto driven hydraulic pump/valve that operated the "Lift All" (???) power lift. (I am thinking they were called Lift All by Harvester-----somebody correct me if I'm wrong). There were no auxially remote connections-----if you look closely, you can see a lever that runs forward and under the seat----the operator would give the lever a quick lift movement to actuate the hydraulics and raise the implement------and the same thing again to release the pressure and lower the implement. This system worked real similar to the power lift on the M's with the belly pump-----just driven off of the pto. I've still got our old F-20 with a 4 row belly mount planter mounted to it----I picked this old tractor up back in the summer as a parts supply. We used to run the F-20 in 4th gear (road gear) when planting on smooth, flat ground-----everybody wuz a hanging on-------seemed like we were flying low. Ralph--- That looks like a champion barn alright!!!!! Thanks for posting the picture. Ya'll just let me know when you get ready to throw away one of them big ol brass Lukenhiemer (sic?) steam whistles------I would maybe be able to scrap up the freight for shipping it South and help one of you ol boys clean out your barn (just to help a friend out). Anybody ever blow one off of air???? Any difference in sound???? Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

sorry----could not get pictures to load in earlier post----here is a couple more. Oh----yeh; the fancy barn in the back ground of the picture in the above post is our famous horse Wrangler's barn at Double 'R' Ranch (the Double 'R' stands for Rug Rats----for the grandchildren). That's an old two room tenant cabin that I moved over to the back yard and opened up for the horse----ain't got quite the size of the barns Ralph posted up a few days ago----but its got lots of character. Best I can tell-----the old cabin was built in late 1800---early 1900's. Its got hand hewn cypress main cills. Wrangler thinks it is the Holiday Inn Express. Plus its got central air and heat------cooled in the winter; heated in the summer. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Thanks for the explanations on the steamers----need to look at some up close, but sure have a better understanding than before. The old steamers are definitely "big iron"----the "massiveness of their size" always caught my attention. Had to take some power just to move the engine along----let alone pull the plows. But it might be the steam whistles that are what really intrique me. Might be that I need a steam whistle worse than I need a steam engine. I have been wanting to mount one on my propane powered F700 truck and blow it off of the propane vapor. Have watched the steam whistles sell on e-bay------doubtful that I will ever spring for the $$$$ a good whistle will bring, but have tinkered aroung with building me a home made one. Even bought a set of plans that show making a whistle up out of PVC pipe. Maybe I'll get around to playing with it again this spring. Looks like all old grey headed "kids" ought to have a steam whistle-----especially one mounted on his "watermellon" truck. Next time some of you "steamers" have one fired up------blow that whistle once for ol Delta Dirt!!! And since this is a RedPower forum-----attached is a photo of the "watermelon" truck hauling an old faded and rusty, but red F-20 carcass home this past summer. note the yellow air supply tank for the whistle------> Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Gary--- With your photo of the 32 hp Reeves operating the sawmill----you refer to it as a "double simple" engine. Can you explain more as to what the "double simple" terminoligy means. I have no experience with steam engines-----am sure there are others reading these posts that might not know either. And that's a great picture at the sawmill-----some of those in the photo appear to be young boys (about the same age as some of those young whippersnappers in the school picture) . But it won't take long to grow up around a sawmill. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Professor Highwheeler (aka---Gary) quoting Gary: "Delta Dirt, That is sure an interesting piece of equipment those mules are hitched to. I've never ever seen or heard of anything even close to this gismo. I hope someone else may know?" I had always heard of a gismo (gizmo)-----but never wuz sure of exactly what it wuz. Thanks for a truthful answer----at least I know I am dealing with a truthful professor. I went ahead and posted this mule drawn "gismo" up over on SmokStak. Maybe we will find some answers yet. Could be that this was a shop made device-----my dad and some of his buddies were not bashful about building off of an idea. After all-----necessity has always been the mother of invention. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

I like those old barn pictures too-----I've got a few shots of scenic barns, but they are lost in my old 35mm shots. Have stopped along the road and snapped a many a photo of country churches, old school buildings and barns as I travelled. Need to find some of them and scan over to the computer. Not many of the old "big" barns standing down here anymore----gradually fading away. The little dog (14--15 yrs old) has me awake @ 2:00 in the morning---not usually up at this time of the day. So----while I am hoping she will fall to sleep at my feet here under the computer------thought I would post this picture up in hopes of someone identifying exactly what they are doing here. This photo came out of some of my dad's pictures that would have been dated "circa----1930's". Its really hard to date-----we had alot of mule power down here in the South even after WWII. I have marked the photo to show what appears to be a chain drive off of a large diameter sprocket on the big wheel----driving a small sprocket. Also---looks like maybe a rotary drum that the chain drive would be turning????. Looks to be at least partially wooden construction. The crop looks to be Corn-----with a mixture of weeds. My speculation is that this may be a silage cutter----or Corn puller. Anybody able to shed any light on this operation??? The mules look to be well worn-----but are showing their contentment with those ears laid back-----that's a good sign. And-----it don't look like nobody was in a hurry here. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Gary--- Thanks for the feedback on the Farmall serial #s starting @ 501. And this is my kind of technology-----what with the highly scientific classifications of new, old, and real old. So while on the subject of automobiles-----here is an old photo of a touring rally that had stopped off in Grace, Mississippi (circa WWI). State Hwy. 16 is laid on top of the old rail bed now----note the railroad depot in the background. Also note the dirt street and parking area----good thing it wasn't raining. Anybody able to identify any of these autombobiles??? Grace, Ms is approximately 20 miles South of me along state Hwy 1 and a few miles Northwest of Rolling Fork for anybody familiar with the Mississippi Delta area. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

I brought the following post forward from F-20's thread relating to a registery for serial #s-----might be someone over here that can shed some light on the beginning Farmall Regular serial # (confirm or prove otherwise on what I have posted below)------if nothing else get a laugh out of part of the story. F-20--- I thought M's were new tractors---------and I remember when I wuz a kid when my dad would say "take the new M----and go do such and such to one of the farmhands". He had been the original Farmall/IHC dealer here in Greenville Mississippi back in the mid 20's and supposedly sold the first Farmall Regular that came into the Mississippi Delta in 1926 (I am thinking)----and bought one of the early Regulars himself in 1926. My dad always said that the Regular serial numbers started at 500 or 501----I am thinking a number like QC-501 (he used to quote them from memory---but died in 1983). He also always thought that Harvester skipped some numbers occasionally (maybe as a little marketing strategy to keep the competiors guessing)----but who knows??? He was one to be in the know-----his dealership sold more tractors in one year than all of the Memphis district combined----Harvester Co. encouraged him to sell the dealership and come to work out of Chicago as a "Farmall expert" travelling the southeast----of which he did. He used to tell the story that he sold so many Farmall's that he got to believing that you could farm with them--------came home to farm in the spring of 1930 (just before the crash) and got so broke that he didn't have any option but to keep on farming. He also said that one of their favorite tricks to use if they thought they might be about to lose the sale to John Deere would to be to claim that Deere was coming out with a four cylinder engine tractor next year----they had seen Deere's experimental version. Course John Deere did leave the old "obsolete" 2 cylinders in 1960 (30+ years later). I've got a list of serial #s on some these old tractors that we've still got----but will have to hunt them up. Don't throw in the towell-----this would be a great accomplishment if you can get a registery organized. Good luck Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723 as I am typing and thinking-----Regular production may have started up in 1924 (??)-------somebody fill me in (like the song said: "............and my head stays sorta foggy all the time"!!!!!

Ralph, Gary, 664 and all--- All of the "expansion and migration" stories (and pictures) are great. The old timers were definitely adventurers-----I think about that somedays when I dread making a trip via the comforts of the modern automobile. No 4 lane highways----no air conditioning-----no heat, etc., whether they were travelling ship, boat, rail, covered wagon, horseback, or foot. Talking about the railroad promotions-----don't forget that the railroads had land for sale also. Sections of land were offerred to the railroads as enticement for the laying of track-----so they were trying to sell off some of their accumulated acreage to recoup their investment as well as create freight and passenger business all at the same time. One thing that always puzzled me about the prairie areas (as exemplified with Gary's picture of the new cabin being built)----was where did ya'll find enough firewood to stay warm through winter, let alone fuel all those big old steamers???? In most of those old pictures----looks like there ain't a tree within miles!!!!! My great grandfather settled in Cass County, Nebraska (little town of Nehawka) in 1857 on his way back out to the California gold fields---had already been to California in 1851 and came back home to Vermont for a short stay and then headed back West via the overland route. They had crossed the Missouri River at Council Bluffs/Omaha-----ran into the territorial govenor in Omaha and the governor told him of the "vast and rich farming area along the Weeping Water Creek"-----they headed out down that way----took a liking to the area, and that's where they ended up homesteading. My grandfather purchased land down here in Mississippi in 1902---after making friends with some good ol boys from Greenville while in camp down in Cuba during the Spanish American War. And them good ol Mississippi boys were blowing smoke about how rich and fertile this Mississippi Delta land (Dirt) was---------looks like everybody was always promoting their area. Must be sorta natural to do that--------hxll, I find myself still doing it in my farmland real estate practice today--------but, I'm just gonna tell you boys, I believe ol Gary has got us all beat with that picture of the "sodbuster" plowing up those gold and silver coins. Looks like he was going right straight to Lewistown, Montana. Keep em coming---- Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Sorta like "Ol Man River----------just keeps on rolling along!!!!" Congratulations on the 3,000+ posts-------but don't overlook the 116,000+ viewings of this thread. That really shows the interest that this thread has attracted. Ya'll had been going awhile before I ever checked in on the "Coffee Shop"------don't make much comment, but do really enjoy checking in and "absorbing some of the on-going history lessons" from here. Professor Gary (aka "Highwheeler") had been giving me some history lessons over on Smokstak for awhile----but the class participation seems much better over here in the Coffee Shop. Thanks for the comments helping identify the A-C tractor in my combine picture as an early "WC" model. Ralph----yep, have seen those combines in the "praying position" before; but it was much worse when a cotton picker sinks down. To honor the professor on the day of his great accomplishment----Here's a picture I "swiped" from the professor over at the Smokstak class. As an old "dirt" farmer and current farmland appraiser---there is something about this picture that really sticks with me--------that just looks like some pretty dxmn good soil up there in Montana. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723

Combining down in the Delta. Back in the late 30's----my dad sold a number of the little AC All Crop Harvesters down here in the Delta. Apparently they got along pretty good in the wet/muddy conditions that we experience from time to time during the fall harvest----and by all accounts, they were pretty dependable little machines, but did not have near the capacity of the larger machines that ya'll used up in the wheat belt. In the mud----weight is your enemy-----therefore the need for something light that would "hopefully stay up on top". Our typical annual rainfall is approximately 52 inches-----but we never know exactly when its coming. Apparently-----my dad and A-C had been doing some experimental work with tire chains on the pneumatic tire (note the notation on the photo----and how the "air tire" with the chains had apparently flexed enough to shed the mud vs. the steel wheel. In the past----we have had to shut down harvest and waited on the fields to freeze over----problem is, soybeans don't wait----they will shatter to the point that there is nothing left. Most all combines down here have the powered assist steering axles now as standard equipment. Maybe some of ya'll can identify the model of the A-C tractor illustrated in the picture----I am not that familiar with the early A-Cs. The old saying down here about our "buckshot soils" (gumbo/clay)----is that if you will stick with it in the winter; it will stick with you in the summer-------and the optimum time to work it is between noon and 1:00 PM (lunch hour). (Has alot of moisture retaining qualities-----but can be tough as h-ll to work) And we do have some good "ice cream dirt" to go with it (sandy/silt loams). The Delta is made up of a wide variety of soil types as a result of past flooding of the mighty Mississippi. Probably even got some top soils washed in here from Montana-----prior to establishment of a dependable levee system. Approximately 46% of the drainage waters from the continental U.S. pass down the Mississippi daily (less than a mile from my front door)--------so any waters flowing eastward from the Continental Divide will eventually pass by me. Delta Dirt Avon, Ms 38723