Tractor-Powered Picnic Table

Tractor-Powered Picnic Table FARM HOME Novelty Items 31-5-2 Marc Ristow's garden tractor can carry seven adult riders thanks to a 6-seat varnished oak picnic table that's built into his Bolens 1050 tractor. "I like to collect and restore garden tractors, but this one is my most unique by far," says Ristow. "I call it the model 1000 picnic table. It's fun to drive but I have to be careful because it has about a 7-ft. turning radius." FARM SHOW found the tractor at an antique tractor show held recently near Jordan, Minn. It's complete with a pair of Harley exhaust pipes on back and one on the side. Ristow says he likes to drive the tractor in parades at such shows. But mostly he uses it to get around at stock car races, such as the National Hot Rod Association races held at the International Speedway near Brainerd, Minn. At 10 ft. long, the tractor-picnic table can't fit into his pickup bed so he hauls it on a specially-built trailer. The 1960's Bolens tractor was custom built by a man from Clear Lake, Minn., who had to let go of his invention because his wife wanted more space in their garage. He had cut the tractor behind the front wheels and axle, then built a table with a metal support frame and bolted it to the tractor. He also greatly lengthened the steering linkage. Ristow reinforced the table's support frame and also lowered the seats somewhat. The tractor came with a dollar bill varnished onto one of its footrests, and another dollar bill varnished onto one of the table's seats. "For sure this tractor is worth at least $2, no matter what anyone says," notes Ristow. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marc Ristow, 2009 95th St., Somerset, Wis. 54025 (ph 715 246-3943; ristow@frontiernet.net).

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