Seeing all this unbelievable history on the UDLX machines has got my mind and "memory bank" going. And let me first say a huge "thank you" to all who are posting pics and information about the UDLX units. I have learned a lot and us "younger" guys need this to keep the history going.
With that being said, near 30 years ago (when I was 10), I remember my grandfather (Carl Bjorklund - Lakefield, MN) had a couple tractors that were to have been painted the standard prairie gold but they were paint (body & rims) the Twin City grey, or a grey primer. There was no electrical on any of them beyond starting motor and generator. As I recall, he said during the war there were less tractors made, or at least sold, as all the materials were going towards the war effort. Some units made their way out of the factory in this sort of outfit. I do remember vividly the model designation was on the serial number tag but the serial number itself was ground off and it looked professionally done. I recall him saying the reason why they painted them this color and with no lights was they wanted to be hid in the shed/barn at night and their color would not be shown, basically camouflage in the shadows of a farmstead, barn, or shed. They attempted to mimic the Twin City colors as I recall him saying the owner could be fined or the machine could be confiscated. To the untrained eye, with no decals, no lights, minimal electrical, painted grey, that "R" looked very close like a "JT." As I am typing this, I am almost certain I have a photo of one of them.
Has anyone heard of the history of these tractors, know of any that still exist, etc? Just curious. I will say my grandfather was not one to joke, kid, or God help us lie as she was a straight shooter from the word go so I have a hard time believing he would share with me information that was incorrect. I will try to do some digging of photos and see if I can locate proof. Thank you for your time.
Aaron
With that being said, near 30 years ago (when I was 10), I remember my grandfather (Carl Bjorklund - Lakefield, MN) had a couple tractors that were to have been painted the standard prairie gold but they were paint (body & rims) the Twin City grey, or a grey primer. There was no electrical on any of them beyond starting motor and generator. As I recall, he said during the war there were less tractors made, or at least sold, as all the materials were going towards the war effort. Some units made their way out of the factory in this sort of outfit. I do remember vividly the model designation was on the serial number tag but the serial number itself was ground off and it looked professionally done. I recall him saying the reason why they painted them this color and with no lights was they wanted to be hid in the shed/barn at night and their color would not be shown, basically camouflage in the shadows of a farmstead, barn, or shed. They attempted to mimic the Twin City colors as I recall him saying the owner could be fined or the machine could be confiscated. To the untrained eye, with no decals, no lights, minimal electrical, painted grey, that "R" looked very close like a "JT." As I am typing this, I am almost certain I have a photo of one of them.
Has anyone heard of the history of these tractors, know of any that still exist, etc? Just curious. I will say my grandfather was not one to joke, kid, or God help us lie as she was a straight shooter from the word go so I have a hard time believing he would share with me information that was incorrect. I will try to do some digging of photos and see if I can locate proof. Thank you for your time.
Aaron
