Modern farming in the 19th century was far removed from today’s air-conditioned tractors, and corn-pickers. The progressive farmer in the late 1800’s used mammoth steam tractors, equipped with huge power-take-off's, using hundreds of feet of leather belting, to operate everything from thrashing machines to saw-mills.
Today there are hundreds of antique farm machinery enthusiasts who gather at the Franklin County, IN, 4H Fairgrounds each Fall to show off the old ways of steam power, swap stories and old parts that may look like junk to the untrained eye.
If you need a steering wheel for a 1948 Ford 8N, or a gear lever for your 1800’s Baker Steam tractor, this could be the place to find it.
Tractor parts are not the only attraction. During the four day event, that draws thousands of visitors and hundreds of antique machinery collectors, there are competitions for restored gas and diesel powered tractors from the 1930’s to the early 60’s of all sizes shapes and manufactures.
Now in it’s 13th year, the event is sponsored by the Franklin County Antique Machinery Club, and features a different manufacturer's brand at each annual show. This season it was Minneapolis Moline tractors & Ohio Engines.
Farm tractors are lined up by brand, there are Ford’s, John Dreere’s, Oliver’s, FARMALL’s and many, many, more of name, and lesser, brands that were in various states of restoration. Some look showroom new, others very well used.
The show is so big that most tour the grounds by garden tractor or golf cart. Small tractors pulling tiny trailers, that seat two or three visitors, are everywhere. Since visitor parking is at the base of a large hill, there is a free shuttle to the fair by -what else- a tractor pulled cart.... of course!
The show is not just for farm tractors and implements, also featured are small antique engine collectors, a flea market, an old time blacksmith demonstration, a tractor parade, that includes the old steam engines, plus tractor tugs (pulls), for both steam and gas engine models, an old time saw-mill demonstration, as well as demonstration’s of wood stove cooking, wool-spinning and broom-making. Plus lots and lots of food!
The Franklin County 4H Fairgrounds is located about 35 miles west of Cincinnati on the east side of Brookville Indiana, just south of US 52.
The event runs for 4 days on the last weekend of September. The cost is just $3 dollars.
There was lots of coal on hand to power the steam tractors
Photos
By Ken Stewart
© Copyright 2007
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