This 1953 Farmall Super H was discovered behind an old fella’s house in Troxelville, PA during the summer of 2010.  Many community members referred to the man as Hoovey instead of his traditional name Harold.  My dad called me one day while I was at work to tell me of his discovery.  He was driving along, and noticed two old Farmalls sitting in the weeds behind Hoovey’s house.  His first question was “Are you interested in buying two tractors?”  I responded by asking what they were, and without reservation, I answered with a firm “Yes” when he said there was a Farmall Super H and a Super MTA.  I wanted a Super H to restore for some time, so I immediately staked my claim.
Both tractors had been sitting behind Hoovey’s house without being started for many years, so the gas of course was bad.  After about an hour of adjusting points, attaching a make-shift gas tank and swapping old batteries, my dad, Uncle Dave and I fired both tractors in amazement.  Neither tractor showed any sign of needing an engine overhaul.  Several days later, both were on a roll back on their way to a new home in Millmont, PA.
My tractor (Super H) sat for about one year until I finished my year of teaching, and an additional three months in the Mid-West cutting wheat.  Upon my return, I began disassembling the tractor, ordering parts from Steiner, fixing brakes, rebuilding the front end, and the governor, and a million other restoration tasks.  My dad and I worked arduously on this tractor for about three months before it was ready for paint.  We rolled it out the back of our shop, set-up and sprayed this tractor during the cool month of October.  It was the last nice weekend for painting because every weekend afterwards became colder and colder.  This tractor created many memorable experiences of time spent with “the old man” working in the shop together, and each memory will be a reminder of great time spent with Dad.
In honor of old Harold, and to continue the tradition of naming each tractor on the farm, I created a decal that resides on the back of my seat.  The decal reads “Hoovey.”  Hoovey will be kept in the garage for the rest of my life, and hopefully someday I may have the opportunity to pass “him” along to someone who appreciates old American Iron as much as I do.  The two tractors we bought that summer brought the total number of Farmalls on the Snook Farm to nearly 30.  The Super MTA is used regularly, and Hoovey occasionally hauls a load of corn from the field during harvest.
The pictures shown are of the tractor after restoration with my fiancé and me.  These pictures are the engagement pictures we will be using for our wedding which is scheduled for September 28th, 2013.   I consider myself very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time fixing Hoovey with my Dad, and to be able to share my memories with my amazing, future wife.

Thank you,

Adam Snook
Millmont, Pennsylvania

These are the pictures of the tractors my dad Jim Gregory in Kibler, Arkansas is working on. He loves these old tractors. They are his babies now. I am glad that he has found something that he loves and that works when he is finished.  They are working tractors when he is done.

Lisa Brake

Guest Blog Series from our friend David Paul

In Part 1, 2 and 3 we learned that David wasn’t going to be able to trailer the Flabob Farmall to the show at the Harley Davidson dealership and had decided to drive it from the Flabob Airport (in Riverside, CA).  He made it there successfully, had a great show and this final post is his report of the return trip.    The souvenir mentioned at the end is a wonderfully gaudy 10″ x 12″  plaque  with words and pictures  emblazoned on it  saying “12th Annual Pomona Valley Harley Motorcycle and Hot Rod Show  May 19, 2012…  Best Tractor”.
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Well the show ended about 4:00.  I stuffed all the pumps, flags, poles and bases into my truck and parked it for a return trip.

I left the Harley parking lot this time with all 6 flags mounted.  Down Central, passed the Montclair Plaza, up over the steep railroad bridge  south of Holt with no trouble at all.  Once tractor felt the load, governor kicked in and rich power growl was heard again.

Well at first I was going to stop at the Petsmart in Chino where I have a number of friends I wanted to show off the old girl to.  Then I got cold feet and decided to just go directly home.  Fortunately a driver didn’t let me over to the left lane in time for the turn home.  Went on to Petsmart with no problems.

As luck would have it, just as I neared the Petsmart building, a car was leaving that freed 3 parking spaces next to the front door.  I took two of them and shut her down.

As I was driving across the parking lot, a lady and her small boy had given me a wave.  I went in to the store and invited my friends to come out to see my surprise.  When I went back out the lady and her small boy were there.  She was taking pictures.  Said she loved the tractor.  Told her about V-Day and that she should bring her son to it.  Pleased to learn from her she is married to Army senior sergeant and her uncle is retired master sergeant.  She asked if I could have her son sit with me on the tractor.  Gave her “you bet!”.  Santa Claus in farmer togs is fun. Did it a number of times yesterday.

Drove tractor down my home street and gave a quick cruise thru the city park.  Had to stop before leaving park so lady passenger could take a picture. Got yet more smiles and waves from them.  Backed tractor down driveway and shut her down.  Gave her a pat and “Well Done old girl”.

 Hitched a ride from my neighbor to the Harley lot and got my truck.

When I got home and drove into my driveway facing the tractor, I shut the motor off and just sat for a full 5 minutes enjoying the view.  The light breeze was moving the flags just like they were banners made from the lightest silk.  I went from item to item I had added to the tractor over the past two years and was both amazed and happy I had created something so unique.

Tuesday, May 15th was my 70th birthday.  Saturday was simply the best birthday party I ever had.

I have a little souvenir from the Harley dealership I will share with you next week.  I feel very confident in predicting we will have veterans and their motorcycles at V-Day this year.

David

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To: David
From: Col Jon Goldenbaum USAF (ret)
Re: FlaBob Farmall Adventure Report

Congrats on your superb performance on this highly sucessful mission.   I am submitting you for the Distinguished Plowing Cross…..you have reflected great credit on the USMC, USAF, USN etc.

Great job….you are now designated Farmall Mission Commander.

Jon

Guest Blog Series from our friend David Paul

In Part 1 we learned that David wasn’t going to be able to trailer the Flabob Farmall to the show at the Harley Davidson dealership and had decided to drive it from the Flabob Airport (in Riverside, CA).  Our story picks up as he is reporting to his “CO” at Flabob, Col Jon Goldenbaum USAF (ret) and T.W. Cook long time Farmall H tractor historian and restorer about how he made up his mind to drive it and starts preparing for the adventure.

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Went out and using a flashlight,  loaded my truck up with all the “accessories”, flags and poles I had removed during the attempt to load on to a neighbor’s trailer at Flabob Thursday.  Done by 11:00pm.

Woke up at 3:30am in the morning and of course couldn’t get back to sleep thinking about what was going to happen.

At 6:00 I arrived at the Harley dealership, set up the 5 service flags using the Flabob bases around the dealerships tall metal flag pole.  Then told young lady running the event what my friend and I were planning to do.  Got a high five and a “Way Cool!, good luck!” from her.

My friend picked me up at the dealership after he had finished some early morning chores at 8:45 and off to Flabob we went.

Got to Flabob, fired up the Farmall and drove her out of the hanger.  It took maybe two revolutions for the engine to catch.  My friend, who was seeing the Farmall for the first time, commented with a big smile “when are you going to fix her starting problem?”.  We have taken more than a half hour to get one his model T’s running.

Re-mounted Flabob sign, front flag pole had brand new 50 star US flag double zip tied to it and loaded.  Bolted on winglet brackets and using “self contouring fairing material”(aka duct tape) secured the winglets in place.  Winglets didn’t so much as twitch on the tour over.  May just keep as is just for conversation value.  Re-mounted and tested “Sonic Cannons”.

As to the Flabob sign, I decided not to lose the PR opportunity for Flabob this mad tour would provide. From all the “Where’s Flabob? Riverside! and you drove it here from there? How cool is that!”  definitely was right thing to do.  You can’t believe all the honks, waives and especially all the camera shots the Farmall received on the road.  Haven’t checked Twitter or Youtube yet to see if any pics made it there.

Closed and locked hanger and took off.  Waved to various visitors as we left Flabob.  My friend following as blocker in his truck with his flashers going.  Worked great for entire tour.  He was to warn me if he saw anything fall off or that looked bad.  Said tractor looked great.  Cruised at a rock steady 14 mph.  Worse piece of road was at Mission and Milliken in Ontario.  Ragged road from all the big semi’s going to 60 freeway from truck stop made it rougher than I thought. Popped me out of my seat a couple of times so I had to go dead slow to finish intersection.  Thinking later using old farm tractor as road inspection vehicles would certainly show up rough road sections.

As it turned out, best accessory I added to Farmall for the trip were the motorcycle rear view mirrors.  Really added to the safety of the drive.  So easy to do for a Farmall.  Style of mirrors looks “right” as well.

Gassed up at ARCO station on corner of Mission and Rubidoux.  Had first picture request before leaving.  Tractor got up to speed on Mission and cruised right along.  Waiving, honking and passenger picture taking started immediately.  Delighted when local fire truck driver going the other way gave a toot and big friendly wave.

Soon after encountered first “Mounties” going our way stopped at an up coming intersection.  Signal changed before I pulled along side. They turned around to opposite direction without looking back.  Later in Ontario, local officer drove by us never slowing down. The concern they would think we were crazy and haul us off was unfounded….

Watch for Part 3 Next Friday

Guest Blog Series from our friend David Paul.

David Paul is a friend and Farmall fanatic from California. Periodically he sends us stories & pictures about some of the adventures he takes with the FlaBob Farmall.  FlaBob is the name of the little airport that time forgot.  Keep in mind when reading this story, that this takes place in Riverside, California population 300,000.  We hope you enjoy these adventures as much as we do.

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To: Steiner Tractor Parts
From: David Paul
Re: Flabob Farmall Adventure Report

We haven’t visited in awhile as I have been going at 90 mph it seems with all sorts of projects and adventures.  Well actually only 14 mph as you will discover when you read about a crazy, fun thing I did May 19th.

The 1952 Farmall H is just about 100% now.  I have to make some tips for the winglets.  Then the “most uniquely accessorized Farmall H ever contemplated” will be fully ready to devastate frowns where ever she finds them.  Did we ever do that Saturday!

Here are some pictures and the story of my Saturday adventures with my 1952 Farmall H tractor. Stories as reported to my “CO” at Flabob, Col Jon Goldenbaum USAF (ret) and T.W. Cook long time Farmall H tractor historian and restorer.

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To: T.W. Cook

From: David
Re: FlaBob Farmall Adventures

Well if you ever had any doubts about a poor 1952 Farmall H being in the clutches of a nut case,  this little adventure of mine yesterday should remove them.

Yesterday was one of the top fun days I have ever experienced.  I know the logical city slicker computer programmer mind I have said over and over again “this really is crazy!” while I was doing it.  Last time I worked on an updraft carb was when I was 17 on a 1930 Buick.  This Farmall is running with a carb I pieced together from a $10 dollar rusty antique store find. The H came thru with flying colors on many levels. Never missed or sputtered on the trip.

Tractor touring is definitely great fun. Please advise other Farmall H owners adding rear view mirrors is simple, stylish and adds a great deal to basic tractor safety.

Enjoy the story.

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Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:32 PM
Subject: We Drove It!!!

Jon,

All I can say after yesterday is that being around Flabob has definitely changed me from a conservative Republican into nearly a devil may care pilot type. Well at least a ground pilot “flying” at 14 mph a dual “Sonic Cannon” equipped red “attack tractor”.  We utterly destroyed countless frowns on our first mission.

I admit I was very upset Friday when all my efforts to get the Farmall trailered to my house for driving to the Harley show failed.

About 9:00 that night I called my Model T friend I have talked to you about and was sniveling about not getting the Farmall to the Harley show the next day.

He responded with “What’s the problem? We’ll just do it like they do in Kansas and drive it from Flabob to Montclair”.  At first I was shocked by the idea.  Then we spent 10 minutes using our computer maps planning a route.  Mission to Jurupa to Van Buren to Mission then straight up Central Ave past the Montclair shopping center to the Harley dealership.  About 14 miles.  Take an hour to do in 5th gear. Took slightly longer because of a stalled truck and a few rough road patches.

Decided it might just work.  Tractor runs pretty good so why not try. If tractor kaputs, then AAA would have to tow me home….

Watch for part 2 next Friday