Pic-Cajun Queen 4020 JD Puller From 1971

Here is the 1st of the 3 famous Cajun Queen JD pulling tractors.This 4020 was owned by Sydenstricker Impl Co at Mexico,MO.It was built in 1970 by head mechanic Van Botkins and he was the driver too.This was one sharp looking hard running tractor.I believe I took this picture in 1971 at Bethany,MO.

Rumor has it that it had a 466 crank in it and thats the reason JD used that crank in the 40 series tractors.I believe it may have been the 1st twin turbo JD puller.Most 4020's pulled the 7-9 class back then but this one wasnt afraid to pull the 12000 class.

The sign on the side says

If She Goes-She Goes
If she Blows-She Blows

Sydenstrickers had several JD dealers but also had an IH dealer at Macon,MO for years.That sign was first used on a 1206 IH that was pulled by a customer(Gary Dye)of their Macon IH dealership.

Mike had the NF front way up in the air and had the wheels turned plum sideways.She got to bouncing and came down hard and busted the front off.He kept going for awhile with the NF dragging in front of the sled before they got him stopped.A few years later wide fronts were made mandatory.

One night in 1977 we were at a TPM pull at East Lynne,MO.A 5000 lb SS 1650 Oliver with a NF did the same thing.He came down hard with the wheels sideways and busted both front wheels off burying the pedestal in the track as it was soft from alot of rain.It stopped the tractor on a dime and threw the puller up in the air with him going over the hood and he landed in front of the tractor.I was at track side and a wheel was coming at me so I put my foot up and knocked it down to keep it out of the crowd.The tractor was hurt much worse than the puller.

I used to pull a 350+ horse 12000 lb 856 IH with 24.5x32's and we ran high 2nd on easy tracks and high 1st on tough tracks.I needed another 100 horses to run high 2nd on most tracks.