Wrenching Tales
By Cindy Ladage

Sept. 4-6 will see an antique tractor show featuring the little-known brand of Graham Bradley, at White Star Park in Gibsonburg, Ohio. This brand was one of the tractors sold through the Sears Catalog in 1937-39. Other tractors such as the David Bradley, Bradley and Sears Economy – which were also sold through Sears – are welcome as well at the upcoming show.

White Star Park is a nature preserve that opens once a year for this show, explained Show Coordinator Ray Reynolds, of Wayne, Ohio. Ray has been a member of the antique tractor club for a little over 10 years.

Along with the Graham Bradley tractors, Ohio engines will be featured. The group hosting the show has the catchy name of S.C.R.A.P., Inc. This began as the Sandusky County Country Collectors in 1986, with the efforts of four men: Doug Markel, Veryl Keppler, JD (Ray) Burkett and Don Yoder.

According to the S.C.R.A.P. website, the group began over coffee at the truck stop on State Route 6 and Route 23. The original name was updated in 1988 when Bob Peck’s then-8-year-old son, Ryan, suggested they changed it Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power – or S.C.R.A.P.

S.C.R.A.P held its first tractor show, called Heritage Days, at White Star Park in October 1986. The little show boasted 10 small engines and seven tractors. This year’s show is the 22nd and it has grown in leaps and bounds – Ray hopes to have 30 Graham Bradley and other Sears-related tractors at this year’s show.

There is an array of activities. “We will have draft horses, kiddie and adult pedal pulls, wheat threshing, stationary baling, a shingle mill, rope making and even ketchup making,” Ray shared.

With a blacksmith demonstration, log cabin exhibit, flea market and much more, he said the show has something for everyone. James Fred, editor of the Graham Bradley newsletter, encourages those with Sears tractors to load up and bring their display to this show to promote preservation of this little-known brand.

“It is important to preserve agricultural history,” James said. “My grandfather (Lavonn Fred) instilled the love of old iron in my brother Eli and I, and we hope to expand interest in the hobby.”

James took over as editor of the newsletter after the passing of longtime antique tractor enthusiast and educator Jess Enns of Kearny, Neb. The loosely-knit Graham Bradley club has much of its interest and the knowledge its members have today on this specific brand and other lesser known classics, thanks to the input of Enns over the years.

For more information about the show, contact Ray Reynolds at 419-288-3167; during the week of the show, the phone number will be 419-765-0125.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.