Case Tractor

_DSC1322_DxO pc (c) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Radiator cap, obviously not a high pressure cooling system. The restored neon dealership sign tops the collection off nicely.
The inline four cylinder gasoline engine configuration was typical of era around WWII. After this, Case left the gray and red accent paint scheme for an orange one.

Fog

_DSC1495_DxO topazbw (C) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

 We have been having a little weather lately. Cold weather. As in coldest in about 20years. Before this latest cold snap, we had one of those mornings where the fog hung around until almost noon. There are few things as beneficial for landscapes than great fog for an ethereal look and feel.

Diamond T

_DSC1430_DxO pc ps (c) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Another from the Keystone Tractor Museum. It is hard to imagine farming without a pick up truck. They just don't make style like this anymore.

The Great Falls

_DSC1515_DxO_PerfectlyClear TVC OOBW (C) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Last Saturday, on the way to pick Donna up at the airport, I a Road Runner Photography Meetup at The Great Falls National Park in northern Virginia. The wind was cold and the clouds fleeting at sunrise.

The lead image was converted to BW in On One.

Grill Style

_DSC1305_DxO pc (C) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Tractor brand identity had much to do with color scheme and distinctive grill design then as now.

Traction

_DSC1247_DxO pc (C) 72dpi C, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

The ongoing evolution of "traction machines" continues to be about efficiently transferring mechanical horse power to the ground. Once the wheel replaced the hoof, the quest to accomplish more work in the field with less labor, cost and energy has been constant over the past century.

This image is of the left rear tire and fender of a vintage Case tractor tuned for the pulling circuit. Tractor pulling contests originated in the early days of tractors as farmers sought to claim bragging rights to traction.

Keystone Tractor Museum

_DSC1330_DxO pc (c) 72dpi, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Through the Richmond Photo Meetup Saturday, I discovered a remarkable collection of old tractors, trucks and memorabilia from the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Upon arrival, I happened to meet the owner for a brief chat. I had no idea that one of the largest antique tractor collections sits a little over an hour away.

For those of you less familiar with tractor manufactures bracketing WWII, this was the era when American agriculture transitioned to mechanization. In contrast to today with 3 or 4 major brands, in that time there were many. Many brands now long forgotten are represented in this gigantic collection. Row after row of them under roof. I spent hours clicking away and ran out of time to make it to the truck section.

The lead image is of a novel, "comfort tractor" made by Minneapolis-Moline, the De Luxe model. Designed with an enclosed cab and a road gear for 40 mph, it was marketed for field work during the week and able to transport two to town on the weekend in style. As you can guess MM's color was yellow. This tractor featured a modern high compression engine running on leaded gasoline capable, according to the ads, of pulling 3 to 4 plow bottoms.