Tri River Pioneers tractor ride

Summer tractor ride!
By Auctioneer Eric W. Mickelson

 In my lifetime often when we purchased a new tractor or combine I would usually have the job of driving it home.  Regardless of how far or how slow it was always a lot of fun.  So I guess I would tell you I love to drive a tractor down the road.  The first tractor driving I ever did(as far as I remember)was driving an R John Deere from the yard to the field.  In fact a few years ago I bought  4020 John Deere at a sale near Warroad.   I had intentions of hauling it home, but the trailer I was going to borrow was broken down.  So after a couple weeks went by I told my son Marshall lets go get that 4020.  We loaded up a few containers of diesel fuel and took off for Warroad.  We left home at 76 degrees and a beautiful summer day, when we got to Warroad it was 56 degrees and raining!  Did I mention this 4020 had no cab, and I wore just a T shirt!  Anyway off I went and mere 6 ½  hours later I was home!  
So you see a few years ago I heard The Lake Itasca Pioneer Farmers were planning a tractor ride, I wanted to go.   Originally I wanted to bring a different tractor, but Thursday night I loaded up my 1949 H Farmall on the trailer and 5:00AM, Friday morning, off I went!!  I believe 24 tractors made the run down Highway 200 north of the park and to east entrance.  There we took a little break and used the bathroom at the Visitors Center, then back on the road, past the Headwaters, and back to the Showgrounds!  What a beautiful ride…..Itasca Park at about 10mph is sure a fun trip!  What fun!  John Deere, Farmall, Allis Chalmers, Oliver, Ford, Massey Ferguson were all represented. The following year I took my R John Deere to the Lake Itasca ride. Again a fun time.
Last weekend I was in Wisconsin to attend my granddaughters 4th birthday party. At this time the Tri River Pioneers held their annual tractor ride. I saw the  pictures and it looked like a great time. I wish weekends weren’t so busy.

How about a little tractor trivia!
 1. The U Minneapolis Moline was made from 1938-  __________  .
 2.  Was the R MM tractor ever manufactured with a factory cab?
 3.     Was the ZB rated as a 2-16” plow tractor or 3-14” plow tractor?
4.    The U Minneapolis Moline had a   _____   cylinder engine.
 5.    What is the official name of the “yellow paint” color used on MM tractors?

answers:  1.  1948   2.  Yes, they are very collectible today.   3.  3-14”   4.  4 cyl   5.  Prairie Gold