[Farmall] 1952 Super C

[Arthur Umland]

    The past few days have been an exciting time for me as I traveled to 
WI with my wife Beverly to pick up a 1952 Farmall Super C. This is not 
just any Super C, but belonged to long time ATIS list member Paul 
Bazzetta and was completely restored by Geoff Gauger. When I arrived at 
Paul's home to load the tractor, I was greatly surprised to find Geoff 
there as well. It was a pleasure meeting both of these gentlemen, and I 
regret now not having allowed more time to visit before heading down 
the road to SD.

    As I do not have a great deal of experience with hauling tractors, 
Paul's assistance made the difference in successfully hauling the 
tractor to my home. I failed to arrive with enough hardware to tie the 
tractor down and Paul was able to provide what was needed.

    The return 500 mile trip started well enough late Saturday morning, 
and after driving a short distance I stopped at a rest area and checked 
chains and straps and all was tight. Past experience is that I have 
usually had to snug everything up a bit after a few miles. Stopped for 
lunch and checked everything again, but only minor adjustments were 
needed.

    Interstate 94 in WI provided some rough spots, but it was I-90 in MN 
that really put our handiwork to the test. Unfortunately, I naively 
thought I had everything under control and did not frequently check the 
tie downs as the drive continued until too late. Near Albert Lea, MN 
this lapse of judgment caught up with me. While my wife was driving, 
the double axle trailer had a blow out of one tire on the right side. 
Unfortunately, I did not have a spare tire with the trailer!  After a 
short hike to a gas station near the the Albert Lea exit, I found a 
towing service to contact, and they referred me to a tire service to 
better deal with the problem. Of course, it is after 6 PM on a Saturday 
evening so it was emergency service and about a 45 minute wait.

    While waiting around for the tire service, I was better able to piece 
together what happened as the trailer tire itself did not simply blow 
out. The chain attached through a clevis on the drawbar and back to the 
trailer frame had a tightener on it, and the handle of the tightener 
was tied down with wire. Somewhere along the line, the rough road and 
some larger bumps were enough to break the wire and cause the tightener 
to open and the chain to loosen. I also had a wide strap tightener 
running from one side to the other of the trailer and across the rear 
rims of the tractor. After the chain loosened up, the strap also pulled 
loose and then the metal part of the strap tightener dropped under the 
tire and flattened it! I have yet to fully appreciate how much force it 
would take make the lever of the chain tightener held tightly down with 
wire to come on done, but I am sure it was considerable!

    But the the grin on my face from owning this fully restored Super C is 
still there in spite of the trailering episode. I am looking forward to 
showing it off at the Humboldt Threshing Show the second weekend in 
August, which is held only about 12 miles from me. And IH Collectors SD 
Chapter 21 will host its state show at Twin Brooks near Milbank, SD the 
third weekend in August and I plan on being there as well with the 
Super C!

    Who knows, perhaps with Red Power Roundup slated for WI in 2009 I may 
be able to have it there so Paul and Geoff can see it again.

    Art