[AT] Not an Antique Tractor

[Grant Brians]

Ralph, that is exactly why I made the comment about the difference 
between places. The coldest I have ever felt on a tractor was working 
ground in December on my 1937 Caterpillar on one of the ultra-rare winds 
from the Northeast which brought cold air from the central Canada area 
down across Idaho and Montana, then the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains 
to us. Gloves, coveralls, coat, boots and the heat of the old diesel, 
yet SO COLD! And I was in my teen years and was still cold. I do admit 
to have had nearly zero fat on my body and was skinny but still maintain 
it was that cold 40-50mph wind from your neck of the woods.
      On the other hand, our typical temperature during the day in 
January will have a high in the 60s or at least high 50s and a typical 
summer day at this location the high will be in the 70s or low 80s. You 
can see why cabs are a lower priority on many of our tractors here. On 
the other hand in the summer in the Central Valley or my Panoche 
location, it can be 105-110 degrees and a 50mph wind. Then we wish we 
had AC and a cab whether on a tractor, irrigating or picking!
             Grant Brians - Hollister,California farmer

On 6/3/2017 6:22 AM, Ralph Goff wrote:
> On 6/3/2017 6:29 AM, Grant Brians wrote:
>> Ralph, your comment about the comforts of semi-modern machinery 
>> resonated with me because of the differences between places. Here in 
>> my part of California is one of the few places in the US where most 
>> new farm tractors sold do not have cabs. Why? Because most are sold 
>> to vegetable or vineyard farms and our climate is so relatively 
>> benign that the $10,000 or so extra cost is usually deemed 
>> unnecessary for most activities.
>>             Grant Brians - Hollister,California farmer of vegetables, 
>> herbs, edible flowers, nuts, fruit and seed
> Grant, I can live without a cab on the little JD 111 lawn tractor for 
> cutting my yard but for any serious field time, give me a cab any day.
> I don't need to mention the -40 wind chill factor we get some winter 
> days. Luckily I don't have too many hours of cattle feeding
> with the old Massey or else I'd want a cab on that too.
> Even this spring planting there were many days I was thinking to 
> myself, so thankful I don't have to sit out in that cold wind and dust
> for ten or twelve hours. I can still remember the days of my face on 
> fire, lips cracked and bleeding, and of course black with dust.
> Even on a nice summer day cutting hay, it is nice to be protected from 
> the sun and heat. And of course the grass pollen allergies
> make life miserable if I get much of that. And if it comes to grain 
> harvesting without a cab, well I'm just not going there. Been there
> enough to know how good I have it now.
>
> Ralph in Sask.
>
>
>