This is the 76th annual show, on the club’s grounds located near Rushville, Indiana. You can read information about the show at https://www.facebook.com/caldwellpioneeracres/. We will be reporting our visit to the show over the next couple of days.
Trying out a new look
After years of display three different plows, we decided to try something new. So, as reported in the July 4th blog, we had shown our 6 foot cultivator and it had drawn lots of interest. For the Rushville show, we installed the drum pulley (normally displayed in the bed) on the PTO shaft and added the backseat (yes it is a 2a seat, not a 3a seat) and the tailgate.
Part of the change-up was to bring old visitors back to the display. And so far, we have been successful. The second objective is to demonstrate the advantages of the “under-the-bed” lifts.
Now for something a little different
The show has grown to point where there are several hundred tractors and a couple of dozen working steam engines on display. We will be adding more pictures, but for now, here is what may be our favorite special find. Parked up under a tree, next to the steam engine section, we found the “Model T tractor.”
Day 2
We have a number of reason for attending antique machinery shows. The first is spread the word that the Jeep has a place in agricultural history. The second, and most important reason is to hear first-hand accounts of Jeeps on the farm. Final there is our own agricultural history education. So while we tend to stay close to our display so we can answer questions and listen to stories, we try to explore as many other exhibits as possible.
This show is steam centric and we were located near the steam engine display and demonstration field. It was there, amidst the monster engines that we spotted two beauties.
This Model TT Depot Hack appeared to have just been driven off the showroom floor. When we talked to the owner’s son, he said it had been stored in a museum and they had done little to get it running again.
The Model T roadster pickup looks right at home among the steam engines. We weren’t able to speak to the owner, but we saw it out and about several times. Also visible in the picture is the wet conditions caused by overnight rains. Golf carts, side-by-sides, and heavy tractors made a quick mess of grassy areas.
Day 3
The final day (for us) saw more mud, but interesting visitors. Early in the day, a gentle stopped to say that seeing the Farm Jeep had made his day. Around 1960, as a teenager, he had purchased a 1947 CJ2a with a Newgren lift and PTO for $300. He didn’t have that much money, but his uncle loaded him what he needed to be paid needed through work on the farm. He said although he never used the lift, he had used the PTO and remembered pulling a corn picker.
We showed him a picture of the Jeep Corn Picker l and point him to our website. It is always special to talk with someone who used a Farm Jeep and he clearly appreciated us bringing the Jeep to the show.
Our location, directly across from the demonstration field and steam engine area, made for a noisy and smoke time. There was an almost constant parade of engines and tractors. In addition, the 2 PM tractor parade saw tractors parked in front of our display.
In the early afternoon, a man asked us if we had any information on the Perkins diesel engines available in the early CJ5 Jeeps. He said he ran an engineer shop and a client had come in with just the running gear as he was restoring the body. We were able to direct him to eWillys.com for more information.
As we were preparing to leave the show, Barry spotted an unusual tractor strapped down on a trailer in the parking lot. He knew, because of his research on Jabez Love and David Friday that this was one of their tractors.
Barry left a card on the truck asking the owner to contact us. A few days later we received an email letting us know that the tractor was being transported from Michigan to the new owner in Tennessee. The driver had stopped to take in the show. Sometimes a walk through the parking lot can bring some surprises too.
As we were preparing to leave, a group of young men approached us and said they saw our post that we would be at the show. They wanted to see the Farm Jeep in person. This time, it was our turn to say “you made my day.”