Honorable Mention – Allis in Tobacco Land

Hello,

This is my tractor story.

I was raised a farm boy with three brothers in the heart of tobacco land in North Carolina. My Grandfather and Father worked together raising tobacco, corn, beans and livestock. They had a Massey Fergerson 65 and 35, a Farmall, an Allis Chalmers 175 and a “G”. ( I really wish i had that “G” back!), and an Oliver combine. As time passed and my Grandfather and Dad passed away, the tractors were inherited by Uncles or sold off.

 In the back of my mind I always wanted a tractor of my own. One day when driving home from my Mother’s house, I saw a rusty old 1953 Allis Chalmers B with a for sale sign on it. I knew that working in Industrial Maintenance for nearly 30 years, I should have the ability to get it going and restored. After talking to the owner of the tractor I found out that he was the grandson of a neighboring farmer that I helped barn tobacco. The memories of that tractor came back to me, as I had worked with this tractor when I was younger.

We made the deal, jumped started the tractor and I drove it to my Mother’s house, which has a shop in the backyard. I finally had to rebuild the engine and put in a new clutch. I have added lights, upholstered the seat and backrest, a coat of Persian orange paint and added a three point hitch. I still have some minor work to do to it, but it runs good, I may join an antique tractor club one day, drive it in parades or maybe just tend a garden with it. Right now i just enjoy cruising around on it. My 16 year old daughter also enjoys driving it.

Thanks for looking!
Steve

Goldsboro, North Carolina