The Tractor was originally my Grandfather’s. It was sold outside the family in the late 90’s, it took me two years to track it down, it was owned by a Cockshutt Collector Mr. Lauzon of Williamstown Ontario. He gracefully sold me the tractor, and I hauled it over 400 miles back home. Took a little over a year, but was finally completely restored.

The following story was written by Ross Dokis for the Cockshutt Quarterly, and he has allowed us to share it with our readers.

Hello I am from northern Ontario, for those whom do not know me, my name is Ross Dokis, I am 26 years old, and I am from Sudbury Ontario.

I can recollect as far back as the early 1990’s, I was three or four years old, my grandfather had a Cockshutt 20. I used to sit on his lap, and he would let me steer the tractor. I would later watch him plow snow in the driveway with the rear blade. Wow! Was I ever amazed! Weekends were spent going for a ride up and down the driveway as a youngster; I had a smile from ear to ear!

That smile quickly faded when in the late 90’s; grandpa gave the tractor to my uncle who later partially restored the tractor sporting new paint and later sold it outside the family. I thought l’d never see it again.

In January 2015, with a house, garage, and mechanic know how of my own, I set out to find that Cockshutt! Determined, I set ads on the internet, calling family friends if they knew where the tractor had gone. Over a year went by, until February 2016. I received a call from a gentleman who said he was a collector in Williamstown Ontario, near the Cornwall area. The man was Glen Lauzon; Glen was able to provide the tractors history right back to my grandfather even before I gave him the serial number to confirm it was the one.

How did it get more that 600 kms, or over 400 miles from home? Glen recounted how he was up north near Cochrane Ontario on a yearly hunting trip and seen it for sale on the side of the road, and being the collector Glen was, he immediately brought it home.

in May 2016, with help from my dad, uncle and a friend’s car hauler, we set out to make the trip. I had the opportunity to bring the 20 back home, and more importantly, I got to meet Glen and his lovely wife Brenda, and became close friends with Glen.

Fast forward two years, with the 20 sitting comfortably in the garage. Late nights in the garage, on the internet and looking through books and manuals and getting advice through countless friends met through the club, and the Facebook Cockshutt page, the 20 is now completely restored.

I am so proud to be a part of the Cockshutt family. I was blown away at how Cockshutt people are the friendliest, most caring people to not just talk tractors, but to give you a hand when you need it.

A close friend once told me “tractors bring you together; the people keep you together”. lt’s a true testament to how Cockshutt people are.

Since hauling grandpa’s 20 home, two other 20’s have joined the family along with a 30. With no cure to the fever in sight, a supportive wife, and room to store the gorgeous red and creme machines, things will only grow!

Ross Dokis of Hanmer Ontario

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