[AT] Some ads from the 7/16 Lancaster Farming

[Dean VP]

Brett:

As a John Deere Collector I'm not sure I could go that far either.  But in
some things they did take a leadership position. I recall as a youngster
that the hand clutch wasn't totally user friendly either. But probably
easier than reaching a foot pedal. More than a few hand clutch levers got
cut and a longer piece welded in to offer a little more leverage for the
smaller folks. 

However, there were times on a John Deere when three hands would have been
very helpful. To me the biggest advantage of the hand clutch was the ability
to feather the clutch for that delicate and very small nudge that was
required in either forward or reverse and still have a foot left over for
the brake. And the unique ability to also use the clutch as a brake at
times.

Even though JD didn't encourage the user to use the clutch that way there
were certain situations where that really came in handy. And something that
just became ingrained to be used that way. That function stuck with me even
after not using a two cylinder tractor for almost 40 years. And almost got
me into trouble.

When I was able to get my stuck and parts JD 60 running the first time I was
so pleased with my self I decided to drive it into the barn and park it,
rather than push it in as I had done before I got it running. I pulled in
rather slowly and got to where I wanted to stop and pulled back on the
clutch to disengage it and then somewhat automatically pulled a little
harder to stop the slowly rolling tractor. A habit from 40 years previous.
Well, the clutch was a bit out of whack and instead of slowing the belt
pulley, which will slow/stop the tractor when in gear, as it was supposed
to, it re-engaged the clutch and the tractor took off instead of stopping.
By the time I figured out what was happening and got the brakes applied I
almost went out the other side of the barn. With the door closed. Not
pretty. After I cleaned out my underwear, I figured out what was wrong with
that defective clutch. A unique feature of the JD hand clutch but one that
can come back to bite you. Old 40 year old habits are hard to break!  :-) 

Dean A. Van Peursem
Snohomish, WA 98290

I'm a walking storeroom of facts..... I've just lost the key to the
storeroom door 


www.deerelegacy.com

http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm



-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Brett Phillips
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 7:00 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Some ads from the 7/16 Lancaster Farming

Ron:
Several friends have remarked that John Deere had ergonomics figured out 
before the rest of the field could spell it.  I'm not sure if I would go 
that far, but the hand clutch was a real blessing to the small tractor 
driver.  Some day, I'd like to own another H.  My Allis 'C' will have to 
fill the gap until I win the lottery (that I never play).

Brett Phillips

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald L. Cook" <rlcook at pionet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Some ads from the 7/16 Lancaster Farming


> Brett,
> You could be me talking about my uncle's M Farmall.  9-10 years old but 
> small.  Same job.  Same problem.  I much preferred my Dad's 1941 JD A. <g>
>
> Ron Cook
> Salix, Ia
>
> Brett Phillips wrote:
>>
>> Utility tractor, IH 300 gas, T-A fast-hitch and 3 pt, loader, weights,
>> steers hard, call mornings, Northampton Co. $1600. 570-758-5810.
>>
>>
>> !Ramble alert!
>>
>> My dad had a 300U from when I was 5 until I was about 10.  As I recall,
>> there wasn't anything about that tractor that wasn't "hard" for a 7-8 
>> year
>> old tractor driver.  At that time, I was dad's 'hired man', and I did 
>> most
>> of the raking, and would get bored when he asked me to drive when we 
>> baled.
>> He still says that I was better than my mother, since she would always 
>> try
>> to turn left with the baler and wagon in tow.  If the baler started to 
>> act
>> up, or the windrows were too big, my left leg would get tired pretty 
>> quickly
>> from the stiff clutch.  I remember standing with my full weight on that
>> infernal clutch pedal, and having to pull up on the steering wheel in 
>> order
>> to get it fully depressed.  Dad knew this, and he never let me run the 
>> 300
>> in tight quarters, because he knew I couldn't steer and press the clutch
>> down at the same time.  For this reason, our JD H was my favorite, and 
>> the
>> tractor that I raked with.  When the 300 left, I remember shedding a 
>> tear,
>> but now I wonder why...  I have little desire to own one today.  There 
>> are
>> plenty of others that I would like better.
>>
>> Brett Phillips
>> Strasburg, VA
>
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