[Farmall] 1952 Super C

[Dean Vinson]

Congratulations, Art!  I'm glad to see that tractor go to a list member, and
glad you made it home safely despite some excitement.  

Dean Vinson
Dayton OH
www.vinsonfarm.net

-----Original Message-----
From: farmall-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:farmall-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Arthur
Umland
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 9:55 PM
To: farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: [Farmall] 1952 Super C

    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
    

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