[AT] Climbing on and off of our old tractors

[Al Jones]

I don't know if a C is anything like a WD/WD45, but on those two it feels
like you're in a cockpit rather than on a tractor!

Al


> [Original Message]
> From: Indiana Robinson <robinson46176 at gmail.com>
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Date: 11/2/2009 6:03:27 PM
> Subject: [AT] Climbing on and off of our old tractors
>
> Well, it got a little embarrassing today. I was going to put the
> little Allis C in the barn and was going to have Diana pull start it
> since it has such a weak starter. It has been weak ever since we got
> it many years ago. I may have to break down and buy one but I think I
> will try replacing the field first. It has been serviced so many times
> over the years I have probably about worn the bolts out. :-) It is
> also bad about losing ground.
> I love that little Allis and once in the seat it is quite comfortable
> but mount / dismount has always been pretty hard. The old friend who
> bought it new died at around 85 or so and I always joked that he might
> have made 100 if it were not for climbing on and off (especially off)
> of that C. The only way I have ever been able to get off of it is to
> pull my feet back so both feet are on the axles just in font of the
> seat, grab the wheel and hoist my self upright standing on the axles.
> A little awkward but not a serious problem. Not until today... I had
> some trouble getting into the seat due to my #$%& knee but made it OK.
> Then I had to get off to do something. Er, uh, I need to get off...
> Somebody get me off of this thing!!
> I tried all sorts of silly things including scooting around and trying
> to get my leg over the fender. Not going to happen... I was sitting
> there thinking about it and Diana was watching me wallowing around,
> trying her best to keep a straight face. It crossed my mind to have
> her bring the loader tractor over with a chain hanging down from the
> bucket so I could pull myself up on it. Finally I just forced my heels
> back on top of the axle amidst a great deal of cussing and ouching,
> grabbed the wheel and jerked myself up. I'm sitting in the house right
> now waiting for those pills to take hold... I think I will wait for
> Son Scott to get home tomorrow and have him put it in the barn.
> I have written here often about what a poor job many manufacturers did
> in the old days about operator comfort and convenience.
> I have watched at shows and auctions for several years now looking
> specifically at which models are easy to mount /dismount. Using my
> Fergie TO-20 is really easy compared to that Allis. I always thought
> that it was a little sad that our old friend didn't get what he wanted
> at the time he bought his new tractor (1946). He had been looking at
> the Ford N's and came to our house and drove ours (ours had add-on
> running boards) and he loved it. At the last minute his two grown sons
> talked him into buying the Allis C instead telling him that the Allis
> would do anything that the 9N would do (they didn't have a clue) and
> it was much much cheaper. He always regretted that he listened to
> them... Yes, the Allis C is a nice little tractor and I love having it
> (and so did he) but he soon learned what it would not do. It would not
> pull a 2 bottom 14" plow nor would it pull a tandam disk that cut 8'
> across the back. He had to use a 1 bottom plow and a smaller disk and
> it was a bear to mount / dismount. It also didn't have a lift of any
> kind except for a tiny cylinder for the mid-mount sickle mower. Then
> later my father bought a little 3 point "utility box" (carry all type
> unit) that was manufactured by a friend in the implement business. it
> was like a little truck bed with stake sides and was as handy as a
> third hand. When he saw us using that on the three point he was
> disappointed all over again. He had one of those rough ground farms
> where it was important to raise critters and he could see a hundred
> applications where he could have used one of them. It was quite nice
> since you could lower it to the ground and load it then back it up to
> a truck or dock and unload. I still have it here but the wood is shot.
> I hope to restore it an have it at Portland next year.
>
>
> -- 
> Have you hugged your horses today?
>
> Francis Robinson
> aka "farmer"
> Central Indiana USA
> robinson46176 at gmail.com
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