I love this story, Jim. It's hard to say goodbye to a faithful friend, and I hope you have more years together. But when it's time, I know your tractor will be grateful that you find the best possible home for it.
You know, I've decided that now is the time to start thinking more intentionally about things like this, rather than waiting, as many people do, to "just let the kids worry about it someday." And you know I am thinking about more than just my tractor when I say that.
I do not have a lot of "stuff" that I worry about what will happen to it when I am gone, but a few things, like my 560 tractor, have so many stories they could tell! Thank you for your kind words.
We moved to a ranch in LA county, and our first Christmas card was all of us sitting on our John Deer. It wasn't the workhorse your Farmall was, but it weekly mowed a few pastures. My husband fiercely protected his hours on the mower. They were his therapy. No dad duties. No interruptions. Our little kids loved it when he put on the bucket and lifted them high into the sky. As the kids got older, they charged their 15-year-old friends to "let them drive" the mower, virtually pulling a Huck Finn in doing their chores. All tractors carry our stories! Well said.
Funny how the machines we use and work with almost develop personalities after a time! One thing I didn’t mention in my story: The JD baler’s thrower had a brass sheer pin that liked to break often in the field - which meant me stopping the baler, getting off the tractor, picking up the bale off the ground and pounding in a new pin. As a high schooler, I got frustrated and even mad at the baler, screaming, you don’t even want me to have any fun today!
Realistically, I know machinery works better when it gets to run rather than sit idle. So writing this gives me a reason to consider ways to keep my old tractor running more and longer. Thanks.
Good read. I am seeking content other than mayhem and authoritarianism. The 560 is a gem with its history, restoration and continued functionality. The legacy challenge is to find a loving home for the 560.
Thanks Mary. I, too, feel overwhelmed with the other “news” that is thrown at us daily. I will need to start becoming more active in deciding where my tractor should have its future.
I love this story, Jim. It's hard to say goodbye to a faithful friend, and I hope you have more years together. But when it's time, I know your tractor will be grateful that you find the best possible home for it.
You know, I've decided that now is the time to start thinking more intentionally about things like this, rather than waiting, as many people do, to "just let the kids worry about it someday." And you know I am thinking about more than just my tractor when I say that.
I do not have a lot of "stuff" that I worry about what will happen to it when I am gone, but a few things, like my 560 tractor, have so many stories they could tell! Thank you for your kind words.
We moved to a ranch in LA county, and our first Christmas card was all of us sitting on our John Deer. It wasn't the workhorse your Farmall was, but it weekly mowed a few pastures. My husband fiercely protected his hours on the mower. They were his therapy. No dad duties. No interruptions. Our little kids loved it when he put on the bucket and lifted them high into the sky. As the kids got older, they charged their 15-year-old friends to "let them drive" the mower, virtually pulling a Huck Finn in doing their chores. All tractors carry our stories! Well said.
Funny how the machines we use and work with almost develop personalities after a time! One thing I didn’t mention in my story: The JD baler’s thrower had a brass sheer pin that liked to break often in the field - which meant me stopping the baler, getting off the tractor, picking up the bale off the ground and pounding in a new pin. As a high schooler, I got frustrated and even mad at the baler, screaming, you don’t even want me to have any fun today!
Sweet memories
Yes, lots of stories that old tractor could tell.
Great writing & wonderful detail! Glad you were able to keep it alive & share your memories.
Realistically, I know machinery works better when it gets to run rather than sit idle. So writing this gives me a reason to consider ways to keep my old tractor running more and longer. Thanks.
Good read. I am seeking content other than mayhem and authoritarianism. The 560 is a gem with its history, restoration and continued functionality. The legacy challenge is to find a loving home for the 560.
Thanks Mary. I, too, feel overwhelmed with the other “news” that is thrown at us daily. I will need to start becoming more active in deciding where my tractor should have its future.