Funny Christmas story.

Years ago we were having family Christmas gathering the weekend after Christmas. It was regular tradition all grandkids would ride on the hay wagon pulled by the Super A to feed the cows. But not this time. Something was wrong with the Super A transmission. I was in my 20's and my grandfather thought I could fix anything. After lunch he took me out in the back field where he had left the tractor. Everyone else stayed at the house and didn't know where we were going. The Super was stuck in gear or something I don't recall. He had already removed the cover and shifter and we looked at the gears. At some point he said let me show you what it does and standing on the left side of the tractor with the cover removed he proceeded to start it. 20 years later I'm yet to understand why. It fired up immediately and took off. Oil was slinging it seems like 20' in the air. He ran along side tractor holding on for about 75-100' until he got it shut off. It must have been in 3rd gear because it was at running speed with throttle wide open.

When he got it stopped he had his dress cloths covered in oil. When we went back inside my grandmother went to chewing on him for ruining his new shirt/ pants. Everyone was asking what happened??? What did you do? He calmly said as he went to the back of the house...... That's what happens when you try to ride a mad snot slinging bull in high gear in your dress cloths. He never cracked a smile.

The Super A was fully restored after he passed but I'll never forget that day. It still amazes me how agile someone can be in there 80's when they have to.

dgoodman22,

I absolutely love that tale. It reminds me of when I had a mistake or lack of insight that we can comment without cussing. I laughed.

D.

At least he had the excuse of the transmission being stuck in gear. I started my 100 with me standing on the ground in front of the right wheel and it was in first gear with a drag disk behind it. I managed to hit the kill switch before getting run over with both tractor and disk. A close call for sure.

I always wiggle the stick back and forth a half dozen times to make sure it?s not in gear before starting a tractor while standing on the ground. Still makes me nervous.