Yellow Fever Relapse

[fer100]

Well after getting rid of all 7 of my tractors and everything else about 3-4 years ago I thought I was cured. I tried not to go back and was doing ok with my meds Ha Ha. But a year ago My father in law passed away. lets start from the beginning in 1988 I met my wife and her parents. I came across a Cub Cadet 100 with a mower deck, plow, snow blower, trailer told my father in law he said he wanted it and gave me the money to get it! Got it all for a good price. Once I got the tractor to him(he lives in Canada) It needed steering and later found out the main shaft in the transmission was bent. My father in law and I bonded over this tractor over the last 27 years he and I worked on and this is why I got the FEVER. Well my mother in law wanted to sell it but it kept blowing the spark plug out(needs new head). Told her that and she said she was going to give it away. When I heard that I told her she could not do that, that I was attached to that tractor and reminds me of dad and that's why I've been delaying fixing it for her and I would fight her over It . I would always tell dad that when he died I was going to place his name on it, It's now called "GERALD ". SO I'AM BACK and starting up again. Wish me Luck! This time the wife and kids aren't fighting me it means as much to them as it does to me. Have many stories to tell about this tractor and my father in law. He only had a 6 grade education and worked all his life as a mechanic. At the end of his life he had very bad hands and arms but still use his tractor till about a year before his death! When he couldn't use a part of the tractor he created parts for it. His parts warehouse was the local Dump if he could find it he made it. He kept it running till a year before his death. As I remember the times I will post it to many memories flooding in right now! Rich

[john hall]

Great story, add some pics when you can.

[Shotgun Wedding]

Yes, great story and great memories for you.

[ol'George]

Thanks for sharing, nice to read good stories, unlike the nightly news.
Now you can make memories with your wife/children.
The more you make them a part of the process, whatever it is, the more memories they take away.
Welcome back.

[ACecil]

Awesome story! Great to see you posting again!

[fer100]

Sorry I haven't posting been busy at work. Found a head, Tim (olds45512) will be sending me one this week. Just got to get a Kohler OEM head gasket. In about 2 weeks should be going back up to Canada so I can put it on. I've Attached a photo of dad on his Tractor . This from Dec. of 1998. At this point He was feeling good. legs were getting weak but he love to go out into the bush at the family homestead up on the mountain and hunt (really just a excuse to go into the bush he could no longer hold and fire a rifle). So as you can see he build a cab over the tractor. The frame is made up of 1 inch by 1 inch steel from a BBQ steel legs welded together. the roof (blue trap was replaced) is from the outer shell of a hot water heater. front and back windows is Plexiglas rear not moveable. Windshield is 2 pieces top stationary bottom moves up so hood can be open. even had a old jeep electric windshield wiper on it at one time. ALL this from his parts depot (the Dump) Still looking for pictures that show this. AS he got weaker he put sides on it heavy duty plastic, all this was so that as he went through the bush he wouldn't get hit in the face by the brush. As his hands got worst he used a knob on the steering wheel. He rode this tractor till 1 year before he died 85 years old.(1915). I've been informed by his granddaughters my girls that the tractor's name is "POPPY". Which I know he would be find with. Next time I get up I'll get some detail photos of what he did. Just want to get in running then poppy will be BACK. Rich

[Rmowl]

That is pretty cool, hope you get it back in action soon.

[cubcadet]

That's cool, nice story.