Tractor Trivia

As the school years ended for my wife and with still some of the month of May left we decided to go on a little trip. We started with a stop at our son and daughter-in-laws in RIver Falls, WI. We spent a fun night with the grandkids and were on the road again. Second stop was at Nelson Dewey State Park near Cassville, WI. There we spent a couple days with my wife’s brother and his wife as they were camping. Next, we were on to Menomonee Falls, WI, to visit my in-laws, Leonard and Dorthy Follmann for another couple days. What a great way to start the summer.

But, what about tractors? One of my favorite tractors is a model G John Deere. When I was growing up dad had a model G John Deere with a narrow front. We have pictures of me sitting in the bucket of a Farmhand F-10 Loader mounted on that G. When I was a bit older we got another G, this one with a wide front. That G met its demise in a fire. Later I purchased another G from our tractor collecting friend, Duane Whyte. I still have that G now with the same Farmhand F-10 loader on it. So you see I still love G’s!
Another favorite of mine is the big standard tread, “Wheatland” tractors like the model G Minneapolis Moline. What a powerhouse. I bet they were a site, with the prairie gold paint and red wheels!! I am lucky, I don’t own one, but I have been able to drive a GB Diesel belonging to my friend Greg Harstad and his son, Iver.
Today I want to talk about another G, the G Allis Chalmers. This one is NOT a big standard tread tractor. It is quite the opposite. The little G has its engine in the back and various attachments that mount in front of you. I guess you could almost call it a garden tractor. It was designed for work on small farms and gardens. I have seen a few at tractor shows and they are unique!
The rear-mounted 4 cyl. Continental engine helped provide traction. They came with options of a front mounted plow, cultivator, or planter. In the 1950’s they even came out with a front mounted hay rake. Seeing the operator sat right behind the rake and was choked with dust, this did not prove to be a popular attachment! Though popular with vegetable farmers the G did not catch on as Allis hoped. Less than 30,000 were built. They are very collectible today. So if you see a little orange G along the road or at a show, take a good look! They are an interesting piece of Allis Chalmers history!
While visiting Nelson Dewey State Park in WIsconsin I came across one. Part of Nelson Dewey State Park is the Stonefield WIsconsin Historic SIte. It is a very nice Pioneer Village and historic park containing some buildings that were part of the Nelson Dewey Estate. Nelson Dewey was the first Governor of Wisconsin. In touring the grounds one of the tractors I saw was a G Allis Chalmers. The only thing different about this one is it had a hydraulic loader! Very interesting!  Like I say, wherever I go I think I can find a fun tractor to look at and maybe write about! Can’t wait until my next summer vacation!

How about a little tractor trivia!
1. Allis Chalmers was based out of Milwaukee, WI. But, the model G was made in________?
A) Austin, Texas B) San Jose, California C) Gadsden, Alabama D) Detroit, MI

2. The little model G was manufactured from ___________ to 1955.
 A) 1945 B) 1948 C) 1950 D) 1954

3. The cost a model G Allis Chalmers was ___________ in 1955.
A)$970 B) $1000 C) $1250 D) $1470

4. Allis Chalmers claimed the G to have ________ hp.
 A) 8.5hp B) 10hp C) 15hp D) 20hp

5. The little model G had ________ forward speeds and 1 reverse.
 A) 3 B) 4 C) 5 D)

answers: 1. C. Gadsden, AL 2. B.1948 3. A. $970 4. B.10hp 5. A. 3 speeds

• Eric Mickelson
• Green Magazine
• RIchard's Publishing
• Oklee, MN 56742
• 218-791-9157
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