The Rural Voice, 1992-04, Page 31to 1944, with a distinct red front "U."
The older model is more rare, as there
arc two later models — the UT and
the UTS — with a newer design.
"We have a Model Z, which was
quite popular," says Dave. "It was
made from 1938 to 1953, with a rat-
ing of 35 hp. We also have a Model
RTS, which is a smaller tractor with
25 to 30 hp that was also popular. It
was made from 1938 to 1953."
In 1938, Minneapolis -Moline
began converting farm tractors into
military vehicles. They were nick-
named the "Jeep" — after a character
in the "Popeye" cartoons. And so, a
new line of vehicle was born.
There is a Minneapolis -Moline
Club based in Illinois that started in
1982. There are 900 members world-
wide — U.S., Canada, Australia,
Africa, Germany, and England. A
M -M magazine is published every
three months and is called "The
Prairie Gold Rush Magazine." The
M -M club celebrated the 125th
anniversary of the M -M Company in
1990. Minneapolis -Moline was
purchased by the White Motor
Company in 1963.
"We collect the Minneapolis-
Molines because of their sentimental
value, and because our family always
used them," states Dave. "I really
like the red and gold colours. I enjoy
restoring them, too. We still farm
with the M -M tractors and with the
Bell Separator. My Dad still uses the
machines on his farm."
Jim and John Laird own three
John Deere Model D tractors — a
1928 -year model, as well as a 1945
and a 1946. The Model D earned the
nickname of "Poppin' Johnny." The
D was started on gasoline and then
switched over to a low-grade fuel
(stove oil) when it heated up. There
was an average of 42 horsepower on
the belt/pulley.
"John Deere claimed that the
Model D would last a man out, and
they did," states John. "At least, if he
wasn't dead, he was deaf," he laughs.
"The old Model D was probably
the longest -running model of tractor
made," says Jim. "It was made from
about 1924 to 1953. They were rated
a 3-4 plow tractor," he continues.
"That meant it would pull three
furrows anywhere and it could pull
four furrows most places."
HAWKE dz
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Call:
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R. R. 3, Tara, Ontario
519-934-2194
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NV�I[ MOT[UR MULTIGRAOL
BRYAN'S FUEL 42 Green St., Orangeville
BRION COLE FUELS INC. Hwy. 23 N, Atwood
NEW Arthur St., Harriston
EDWARD FUELS LOCAT1ON 263 Huron Rd., Goderich
Hwy. 4 N., Clinton
Teeswater
MacDONNELL FUELS 105 -17th St. E., Owen Sound
D.G. MacDONALD & SON Ripley
941-2401
356-2691
338-2710
524-8386
482-7381
392-6100
376-1916
395-2975
APRIL 1992 27