Gordyville USA is a horse arena not far from Gifford, Ill., hosting auctions, flea markets and other events. The last two days of January, the annual Midwest Ag Expo brought farmers from central Illinois and Indiana out on some of the coldest days of the new year to see the latest and greatest in farm equipment, and in some cases, beautiful antique equipment. Perhaps the latest technology was shown by Dustin Kurtz of Illinois Grain & Seed Equipment. He can show a potential buyer exactly what grain bins will look like on their property before they ever purchase one. “By using drone pictures, we fly over your property then map everything, and can show you what it’s going to look like so it won’t be a surprise,” he explained. When looking to other innovative equipment, some attendees were drawn to the Ventrac 4500 Z All Wheel Drive Articulating Tractor. Territory Sales Manager John Borrowman called it “the Swiss Army Knife of tractors” because it has 30 upfront attachments. The mowing tractor is famous for its slope mowing, which Borrowman said can achieve a 30-degree, or 58 percent, slope. The story behind the Ventrac, which is part of the Steiner family, is quite fascinating. Martin Steiner began building equipment in the late 1930s and through his inspiration his sons started the Ventrac Co. “Seven brothers built seven tractors; they would each have a tractor if it didn’t sell,” Borrowman explained. While farmers could find mowers here of almost any size they wanted, they could also find semi trucks. One that collectors loved was the restored truck from the Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative (EIEC). This 1950 FWD Digger Truck Renovation Project board explained, “A faded vintage power pole digger truck had gone by the wayside in the 1970s, when it was no longer needed by the EIEC. A local automobile collector purchased the truck and most thought that was the end of the story.” But in 2013, Dave Champion, former EIEC president/CEO, bought the truck back and donated it to the co-op prior to his retirement. Once back in the hands of employees, repair, refurbishing and renewal began. It took almost three years. Employees banded together along with members of the board of directors and collected the funds needed to bring this piece of co-op history back to life. Today the truck is featured in local parades and at community events. Tim Frick, an EIEC employee, said, “This was just finished a year ago, and we took it to a few Christmas parades this year.” Speaking of collecting, Betty Bensyl of the Ladies Auxiliary of the I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club said the club will soon be hosting its annual Spring Auction conducted by the Gordon Hannagan Auction Co. The auction will be March 22-23 in Penfield. “(That) Friday starting at 5 p.m. they will have a toy auction and Saturday, a consignment equipment auction,” Betty noted. For information to consign toys, contact Barry Maury at 217-202-0967; to consign equipment, call Chuck Stelter at 217-497-7686. The I&I Club also shared information about the Historic Farm Days planned at Penfield from July 11-14, featuring International Harvester. Log onto www.historicfarmdays.com or call 217-595-5000 for specifics. Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication. Learn more of Cindy’s finds and travel in her blog, “Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl,” at http://travelingadventuresofafarmgirl.com |
