[AT] Farm show observations

[Herbert Metz]

John Hall; your below observations were appreciated (belatedly).
John Blue, several decades ago, mfged less than 100 farm tractors
(obviously blue color, and approx 20% larger than Allis G).  Saw one
exhibited at Cananadagua, NY several years ago, owned by an enthusiast from
northern VA.  Quite impressive, but required their own customized line of
equipment, and establishing a dealership network; so the odds were not in
their favor.
Bob Cat has been impressive since day one.    And now, they have been
bought out, do not remember who bought them?
I have also been impressed with the ingenuity of Ditch Witch
Outdoor furnaces; wish we had installed one a few years ago, would have
paid for itself by now.    Do you happen to remember which units were most
impressive?
Herb

> [Original Message]
> From: John Hall <jthall at worldnet.att.net>
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Date: 2/8/2009 8:55:01 AM
> Subject: [AT] Farm show observations
>
> Went to the N.C. Farm Show last weekend and noticed a few things of 
> interest.
>
> 1) John Blue sprayers are not much different than they were 60 years ago.
>
> 2) Bobcat is building small tractors.
>
> 3) Montana is building 2 lines of tractors. One is green and looks
modern, 
> the other is blue and looks like Ford's from the 70's or '80's.
>
> 4) Somebody finally decided to build a pedal combine. I can just see the 
> average 4 year old driving it--considering the rear wheel steering.
>
> 5) Monsanto keeps an actual cotton plant in their mobile display unit
since 
> so many folks around the country have never seen one. They actually take
it 
> into the motel  at night!
>
> 6) I lost count of the number of outdoor furnace makers. Maybe had
something 
> to do with the economy.
>
> 7) The second biggest piece of equipment on the farm (besides a combine)
is 
> a self propelled sprayer. There was only one combine at the show but at 
> least 4 of these contraptions. I know one of them had 5 foot of ground 
> clearance. These things have come a long way since JD and Spra-Coupe were 
> making 3 wheeled models.
>
> John Hall