One-Of-A-Kind Best 30 Orchard Humpback Tractor
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Every year, Aumann Auctions in Nokomis, Ill., holds its Pre ‘30 Auction, featuring equipment from before 1930. As part of this event, they have a tractor school that provides presentations and an open house where collectors view the machinery they sell online. Collectors see some items they may never see again, such as the Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor.
Tom Madden, an attorney from Paso Robles, Calif., presented about building his Best 30 Humpback Tractor and allowed a short interview before he loaded up his one-of-a-kind tractor and took it back home.
“I drove 2,100 miles for this presentation,” Madden said. He hauled his tractor from California to Illinois for visitors to view.
Madden has a unique collection that’s narrowed to a particular niche of tractors. “I collect pre-1925 California-made tractors,” he explained.
His presentation focused on creating his own Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor. Parts of this tractor include pieces of the original tractor. “There was only one of these tractors until this.”
Madden and mechanical engineer and machinist K.R. Hough used the 1914 block from the original, only still existing tractor. Madden estimated that about 15 of these Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractors were built. Today, only one is left. The block from the original tractor was removed because it had a hole in the side. The existing Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor is at the California Agricultural Museum, which profiles the collection of Keith Heidrick. The museum is in Woodland, Calif.
Most of the creation work was completed by Hough, who hails from Pendleton, Ind. He studied Mechanical Engineering Tech at Purdue University. Hough owns Traction Engineering, a full-service restoration company that uses the latest technology to restore tractors from our agricultural past.
In this instance, Hough used the original block, a radiator and a seat to create a Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor. Measurements were made using a 3D scanner. The replica’s work started in March 2023 and was completed in May 2023. According to Madden, “The clutch was the hardest part.”
He adds that the most interesting thing about this project is “the fact that no one thought it could be done.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Aumann Auctions (ph 217-563-2523; info@aumannauctions.com; www.aumannauctions.com).
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One-Of-A-Kind Best 30 Orchard Humpback Tractor TRACTORS Antiques Every year Aumann Auctions in Nokomis Ill holds its Pre ‘30 Auction featuring equipment from before 1930 As part of this event they have a tractor school that provides presentations and an open house where collectors view the machinery they sell online Collectors see some items they may never see again such as the Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor Tom Madden an attorney from Paso Robles Calif presented about building his Best 30 Humpback Tractor and allowed a short interview before he loaded up his one-of-a-kind tractor and took it back home “I drove 2 100 miles for this presentation ” Madden said He hauled his tractor from California to Illinois for visitors to view Madden has a unique collection that’s narrowed to a particular niche of tractors “I collect pre-1925 California-made tractors ” he explained His presentation focused on creating his own Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor Parts of this tractor include pieces of the original tractor “There was only one of these tractors until this ” Madden and mechanical engineer and machinist K R Hough used the 1914 block from the original only still existing tractor Madden estimated that about 15 of these Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractors were built Today only one is left The block from the original tractor was removed because it had a hole in the side The existing Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor is at the California Agricultural Museum which profiles the collection of Keith Heidrick The museum is in Woodland Calif Most of the creation work was completed by Hough who hails from Pendleton Ind He studied Mechanical Engineering Tech at Purdue University Hough owns Traction Engineering a full-service restoration company that uses the latest technology to restore tractors from our agricultural past In this instance Hough used the original block a radiator and a seat to create a Best 30 Orchard Humpback tractor Measurements were made using a 3D scanner The replica’s work started in March 2023 and was completed in May 2023 According to Madden “The clutch was the hardest part ” He adds that the most interesting thing about this project is “the fact that no one thought it could be done ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Aumann Auctions ph 217-563-2523; info@aumannauctions com; www aumannauctions com
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