ALL ABOUT TRACTORS BY PAUL WALLEM Since the early 1900s, tractor collectors have been active worldwide. Those that are both collectors and restorers get deeply involved mechanically, from face-lift to good-as-new. Another collector/restorer is more rare – maybe there is only one? My friend Dr. Robert Easter is president emeritus, University of Illinois; dean emeritus, College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences; and professor emeritus, animal sciences and nutritional sciences. A Texas farm boy, he came to the University of Illinois over 40 years ago. His father was a Texas farmer and bought a new 1936 John Deere B. When Dr. Easter was in 7th grade, he started raising hogs, using his father’s B to raise oats for feed. When he left for college, his father no longer used the B, and it was parked outside for 12 years. Then it was given to a neighbor, and it sat outside for 27 more years. Dr. Easter had kept track of it through the years, and once retired, he arranged to bring it to Illinois, where he has a well-equipped shop at his home. He’s making serious progress on the B. After considerable work, he has the engine running. New back tires are mounted, with more work to come. The metal work is in good shape. Work remains to be done. Ninety years old and running well on all two cylinders. AGCO fuel-saving techniques AGCO has announced fuel-saving techniques through an independent study. The brands affected are Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra. The AGCO Power Engines serve as the power source for the above tractor brands. This efficiency-focused concept reportedly maintains high torque at lower speeds, suggesting lower fuel consumption. Maschio Gaspardo Equipment Not a tractor line, but this Italian manufacturer now has a Midwest dealer, RockPit Equipment in Elburn, Ill. This line of implements features equipment not previously seen on the American market, such as certain tillage equipment, hay tools, forage tools, and planters as small as two-row, and high-speed discs. Deere announces E98 tractor John Deere has revealed a new version of the 8R tractor, mounting the 9.0-liter engine, but it is modified to burn E98 ethanol. The 350 HP ethanol engine produces similar torque to the diesel version but eliminates diesel exhaust fluid. Fuel testing of the E98 was performed during 2025 in Illinois, Iowa and Brazil. An initial commercial production date has not yet been set. Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH in domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH AND SUCCESSES and INDUSTRY FIRSTS of IH. See all his books on www.PaulWalem.com. Email your comments to pwallem9@aol.com. |
