Cross country trips on tractors

Bob Clark · Sep 13, 2008

In the late 70's the Harris brothers drove their 1370 case from the beach on the east coast to San Diego California in about 7-10 days. I think I read a story in a farm magazine about someone driving a 99 or 990 Oliver with a 4 wheel wagon cross country some year earlier. I also know about the guy with the John Deere A who drove from Ohio to Alaska (I used to live near his home base in Ohio). I'd like to hear any other stories and any links to more information.

Anonymous-0 · Sep 13, 2008

I question the 10 days. It is 3030 miles coast to coast. that is 300 miles a day. going 20 mph
that is a 15 hour day.. could be done but for 10 days wow.

Mike (WA) · Sep 14, 2008

We had a neighbor who found out that N series Fords could be had for a couple hundred bucks in his native North Dakota, back in the early '50's, but here in Washington they were bringing 3 or 4 times that much. He'd long since lost his drivers license to drunk driving, so a truck and trailer was out of the question. He would have his cronies line up 3 Fords and an old trailer back there, then he would take Greyhound to ND, load 2 tractors on the trailer and use the best of the 3 to pull the load back to Washington. No drivers license required, of course, for tractor driving. Long, slow trip, but I imagine he took plenty of liquid refreshment to make it bearable. Slept in a sleeping bag under the trailer at night. He did it 2 or 3 times- last time, it was winter, and he nearly froze to death- that pretty much soured him on the enterprise.

greenbeanman in Kansas · Sep 14, 2008

I remember the days of the Tractorcades to Washington D. C.

Seems there were many many stories about tractors at highway speed eating up sets of tires quickly.

So how many sets of rear tires does it take to cross the US?

How much diesel fuel, LP, or gasoline?

I think I'll leave that adventure to you fellows.

rrlund · Sep 14, 2008

Yea,there was that one,and recently somebody drove an Oliver 88 across the country too. There were stories in Oliver Heritage and or Hart Parr Oliver Collector about both. They might be in the archives at hartparroliver.org or oliverheritage.com.

Iowa_tire_guy · Sep 14, 2008

A couple years ago a man bought 2 Big A sprayers near Chicago and attempted to drive them home to Southwest Kansas. He had a flat tire near me and I got him going but always wondered if they made it.

john d · Sep 14, 2008

I remember those also. Some of those tractors stayed in the D.C. area. there's a really nice IH, (I can't remember if it's a 1206 or 806)from one of those trips in the lower floor of the American History building of the Smithsonian.

Bob Clark · Sep 15, 2008

The 10 days is correct give or take a day (can't remember exactly). There were 2 of them, they towed a van part of the time, other times one would drive on ahead and sleep. The had an extra 50 gallon tank mounted on the 3 point. They drove 24 hours most of the time, had a canvas weather break they put on out west (the desert nights were cold).

Bob Clark · Sep 15, 2008

I know a guy who bought a 7700 Deere combine in easthern Illinois. We live in eastern Indiana. They just fueled it up and took off. I think it was a two day trip. They came straight thru Indianapolis on Washington street (US 40).

motorv8N · Sep 15, 2008

Wow -- makes me feel a bit silly trying to get up the nerve to drive my 52 TEA20 8 whole kilometres to the general store.

Cross country trips on tractors

Bob Clark

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Anonymous-0

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Mike (WA)

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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rrlund

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Iowa_tire_guy

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john d

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Bob Clark

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Bob Clark

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motorv8N

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