Tractor Trivia August 23

My Second-FIrst
By Auctioneer Eric Mickelson

This past weekend was sort of my usual birthday celebration. It was a trip to the Lake Itasca Pioneer Farmers Show. It was the 50th anniversary of the show. It started out being held at the Clearwater County Fairgrounds in Bagley. I can remember going several times as a “kid” with mom and dad. Later on, I am not sure of the year, the show was moved to its present grounds near the north entrance of Itasca State Park. The show is always near my birthday. It is always kind of a birthday present to go to the show.
Of course my favorite event to watch or participate in is the Old Time Tractor Pull. The show is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday afternoon is the tractor pull. 5 years ago I hauled my R John Deere down to the pull only to find out you have to register the tractor on Friday or Saturday to pull Sunday. I did not do this so I was offered a chance to do an exhibition pull at the end of the pull. So I stuck around and the R did pretty good-so I have been bringing it back since then.
That following year, 2022, I got it registered and yes actually got to pull in the pull itself. I had my mom and dad, my wife, daughter-in-law, grandson, a cousin, as well as some friends in the crowd cheering me on. Now, I have participated in a few pulls before this, but something new happened. I got FIRST PLACE! How exciting! I was especially happy to have mom and dad in attendance. Unbeknownst to any of us that was the last chance I had to pull with mom and dad in the audience. In October we lost dad and the following January mom. So you see the importance of that day to me!
Since that time I have returned with the R every year. In 2023 and 2024 I managed to get 3rd place. In 2025 I got second, losing to another R John Deere. This year-2026-it happened again! I was able to take first place with a pull of 101’8”. Second place was the R John Deere that beat me last year with a pull of 100 feet even. I squeaked it out by 1’8”. Now you understand the title of the article-my second first!
How about a little tractor trivia!(Kind of)
A) ModelA B) Model B C) Model C D)Model D

1. What model did the R replace(kind of)?
2. T or F: The Model R was rated 4-5 plow tractor
3. The 1949 Models A, B, G, all had 6 speed transmissions. How many forward speeds does the Model R have?
A) 3 B) 4 C) 5 D) 6
4. Experiments on the model had been going on for many years and was slowed by WW II. What was the model designation given to the Model R .
A)F B)N C)MX D)FX
5. What model replaced the Model R in 1955?
A)50 B)60 C)70 D) 80

answers: 1.D 2. T 3. C 4.MX 5.D. The model 80