Big Bud on the pulling track

Big Bud 16V-747 hit the puling track Saturday night at the show, effortlessly pulling two weight transfer sleds out the end of the track.  According to one report, the behemoth motored down the track, slipping a little as it hit the soft soil at the end of the track, only to speed up as it hit the sod. 

The second sled was pulled with a length of high strength chain used in the 2005 record setting 60 bottom plow action.  Though it's hard to see details in the video, the first sled is a historic piece of machinery itself.  It is one of the first, if not the first ever weight transfer sleds.  Built in the mid 1960's, it made tractor pulling a safer and more consistent activity.

Big Bud At Fargo Scales

I found this YouTube video of Big Bud 16V747 at the weigh scales in Fargo,North Dakota.

Big Bud Is Here!

Big Bud 16V747 arrived in Rantoul mid afternoon July 2, the trip was long, but safe. A crowd of fans was on hand to welcome the big tractor on it's visit to Illinois.

All a-Twitter about Big Bud

Big Bud 747 is on it's way to Illinois, and you can follow it's journey with updates on the short message site Twitter. You can find the updates at twitter.com/Bigbud747

Tonight, Monday June 29, Big Bud is bedded down for the night in Bismarck, North Dakota.

"Legends Of Time" Updates

The "Friends of John Deere" committee is announcing that Harold Brock is planning to attend. Harold worked at Henry Ford before going to John Deere. He developed the POWER-SHIFT TRANSMISSION for John Deere. He is looking forward, if his health remains good, to be there to answer questions. He will be in the John Deere Tent.

There will also be three of the John Deere engineers, if their health remains good, who helped develop the 8010-8020 Tractor there for you to talk to. It is the "50 Year Celebration" of the Tractor. The Seminar on the Pony Motor of the Two-Cylinder Diesel Tractor by Earl Seamands is still being planned, day and time will be announced later.

Above is a picture of the 1/32 scale 8010 4-wheel-drive-articulated tractor with the F180 8-bottom plow that may be purchased at the Show. A limited number will be available. If you are interested and want to order before the show, please contact Darrel Fischer (815) 383-4367. The price of the tractor and plow will be $85.00.

Many Thanks to Marilyn Moore for this update.

McCormick Named Premiere Sponsor

McCormick International, USA has been named the Premiere Sponsor of the 2009 show. Thanks to their generous sponsorship, the Big Bud feature will become a reality. McCormick will also be donating the use of several tractors at the showgrounds.

BIG BIG BIG NEWS

The famous Big Bud 16v-747, the world's largest farm tractor is coming to the 2009 Half Century Of Progress IV! Not just on static display, the tractor will be at work plowing in the fields at the show. The crew will be assembling a special plow for the event, possibly as large as 30 bottoms to give the behemoth something to play with.

FFA Progress Expo - 2008

The first FFA Progress Expo was held September 4th and 5th on the Half Century site. Four hundred fifty two FFA members from 18 schools participated in the rain plagued event. Plans to harvest corn and soybeans were canceled due to rain, and some classes were moved to Grissom Hall ( Special thanks to airport manager Bill Clayton for helping with the last minute arrangements).

Students attended classes on soil judging, yield calculations, farm safety, GPS technology, and other areas on interest. A tractor operators contest was held both days. The event was well recieved by the students and their instructors.

FFA Progress Expo's will be held in even numbered years when there is no Half Century of Progress Event. Members of the FFA Organization, (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) are students in vocational agriculture programs in high schools. Over the years, FFA has, in combination with the dedicated vo-ag instructors, helped not only "future farmers", but leaders in agribusiness, agricultural education, and even non-ag related fields get the education, skills, and experience they needed to excel in their chosen endeavors.

John Deere Secondary Event

I received this from Marilyn Moore a few days ago.

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John Deere Friends and John Deere Clubs will gather for the "Legends of Time" in Rantoul, IL during the Half Century of Progress IV, August 27-30, 2009.,

• You will see a fully mounted 8 bottom Plow working. This will be the largest gathering of 8010's ever.
• A 1/32 Show Tractor 8010 with a plow or just the Tractor may be purchased.
• A Seminar on repairing the starting Pony Motor on the Diesel Tractor will be presented by Earl Seamands in the John Deere Tent.
• A Raffle with First prize as a Child's Wagon, with side boards, loaded down with John Deere merchandise for Mom, Dad and Child, Second Prize will be a Child's Pedal Combine, and Third prize will be a beautiful decorated JD Tool Box with John Deere Tools.
• John Deere Merchandise Internet Store will be in the tent.
• Show T-Shirt will be available soon.

Contact Persons: Dean Blackford, (217) 841-5914, Darrel Fischer,(815) 383-4367, and Earl Seamands,(217) 586-3604.

2009 Show News and Talk

Half Century Of Progress IV - August 27-30, 2009

The Half Century Of Progress organizing committee has been meeting and making a lot of progress in planning the 2009 event. I have heard there are some big plans in the work, but all details are closely guarded at this time.

As in past events, the main focus of the event is to get the old equipment out in the field and working as it was intended, so expect plenty of action in the fields. In each of the past shows, the variety and scope of equipment has increased, so expect even bigger things this time.

Secondary Events
The previously announced "Legends Of Time" John Deere feature will be one of the secondary events at the show.

There is nothing official, but word is going around that Ford tractor collectors are working on plans to have a big gathering at the show as well.

2009 Half Century Of Progress IV-Early Announcements

This is the first of several secondary events to be announced for the 2009 event.

First Corn In 2008

The first corn harvested in 2008 in the Rantoul area was on the Half Century of Progress grounds. The late planted corn for the cultivating demonstrations was harvest shortly after New Years, the moisture was high, and the yield wasn't great, but it was the first!

Video Clip of 48 Draft Horses

I got an idea...

Farmers have a lot of time to think about things while riding the tractors and combines across the field. Often it's not mentally demanding, and your thoughts begin to wander. Apparently this Massey Harris Clipper combine is the result of one of those times. Someone who got tired of constantly emptying the rather small grain tank added a hitch to pull a wagon alongside. The Clipper was ideally made for this, as swinging the chute on the grain elevator to the unload position directed the grain into the wagon instead of the grain tank. This hitch was well designed, being hinged to allow it to be locked in the upright position putting it out of the way when not in use.

Many farmer added modifications for almost every machine ever built have appeared over the years, some successful, some not. Many were developed to resolve a particular situation on one farm, while others were broadly successful, resulting commercial production. A friend of mine who dealt in used farm machinery once said "Don't worry about farmers having guns, but do make them register their welders and cutting torches!"

John Deere Grain Dryer

Quite rare, even during the years of it's production, Deere built portable grain dryers for a short time. Probably a bit before it's time, they were apparently not produced in large numbers. I can remember seeing maybe one prior to this one appearing at the Rantoul show. A recirculating batch dryer, it was in operation on Saturday at the show. A bucket type elevator served to load and unload the dryer, as well as to recirculate the grain during the drying process.