Back around 1950, the boys were mowing hay at Lake Tahoe when the motor started to overheat and steam. They tried to get back to the ranch house for water but did not make it. They burned a hole through the cylinder wall and there she sat for a year or two.
The Ponderosa Museum took the tractor and put it under a big old tree for the kids to play on. She sat there for about 70 years and then was headed for the junkyard. My son, Bill Jr. saw it and knew his Dad had to have it out on the ranch. I think he paid $50.00 for it and sent it out to me in 2019.
I had rebuilt an F-12 before so this was not new to me. However, I was 83 years old at that time and I sure had my hands full. Two years later, in late 2021 I had it all back together but was not strong enough to crank it! So step two was to install the Flex plate, starter, and then alternator and a small dashboard. Now WOW, just touch the pedal, and off she goes.
Bill Watson Sr.
Lamoille, Nevada
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