why do we like tractors and working with the land?

The thought of this question came to me as Iwas driving to north jersey to a masonry job in a warehouse. Driving on the NJ turnpike past the newark airport , lots of traffic, the linden trash burning generator, smoke, carteret, smell and pollution. People in little cars constantly cutting me off while Iwas driving the company dump truck turn off at the exit for the meadowlands , some more traffic and drive through moonachie and arrived at the job intact.Had a productive day at work , we finished the job, left at 5.30 and had the whole drive back sometimes bumper to bumper, to think about why Ilike tractors and working with the land. After all that when I do get home I do say thanks for the job ,Ido appreciate it. The thought of the peacefulness of working with the tractor and scrathing in the land growing something just kind of helps get me through the day

You said it all.
Its the time that you can sit back relax,work but enjoy every moment.I love the sound and smells of old farm equipment.My wife is a city girl (miami )she used to think I was nuts when she would find me sitting on the tractor not doing a thing I would tell her she would have to love old tractors to understand the peaceful feeling I get from just sitting there.Like I said you said it all.

Tony, I wanted to ask you do you remember crushing any nice old cars with your dads cletrac?

Yes I do Larry, Not really any one particular vehicle.My Dad never looked at the collectible side of old machinery then, he had 7 mouths to feed so for him it was cash.This was the sixties so there was allot of 30s and 40s vehicles.My Dad and his partner also ran a stock car for enjoyment there favorite car was a 36,37 Plymouth
so I crushed quite a few of those after Dad had salvaged all the good parts for his stock car.The only one truck I do remember and wished I had was a 41 Diamond T tow truck we had,Dad scrapped it out when he purchased a newer 48 GMC with a removable boom.The manufacturer of the boom called it a Tow Boy removable tow unit, hand crank,rubber padded tow sling pretty high tech for those days. Everything had steel bumpers you could sling up to then.My Dad also salvaged old buildings for the lumber we would clean the lumber stack it in the shed by size then when the shed was full Dad would run an ad in the newspaper and sell it usually farmers would be his biggest customers.He also did handyman work ,mowed lawns, hauled trash.He had a calling card that said right on it if you can"t pay for my services trade for them.We ended up with some interesting items to say the least.My Dad taught me its the right thing to have a job but don"t depend on a job for money depend on yourself.Dad made growing up a blast even though we worked a lot.Nice talkin to you Larry
Tony

'Cause it's a good way to get time away from the wife without suspicion, and it's too loud to hear the cellphone ring.

Just like Tony I find myself sitting on the tractor's seat once in a while, not doing a thing, but just sitting there and closing my eyes. Some of my best ME time is on a tractor seat. Espescially when planting or anything that's got a bit of a slower pace to it. Cutting hay is fun too but can be a bit hectic on the ends when I gotta swing the haybine around and drop it before getting back in the cut.

Looking forward to owning my own farmland one day....

Donovan from Wisconsin

Speak for yourself. I'm ready to retire,buy an old motorhome with a awning,get a plastic chair and a couple of tables and spend my days as a flea market vendor,sitting in the shade selling junk and lying to strangers.

sometimes i like to get up on tractor and start it just to hear them run or maybe drive tractor 1/2 mile down the road just because i can.

rruland, I like it!!!

I have thought about this topic for many years, and I think part of the answer is farming is part of our genetics. I would love to have musical and artistic talent, but that unfortunately is not in my genetics. I am serious, I do think something in our genetics drives us to grow crops and solve mechanical challenges with the machinery.

About 20 years ago, I was invited to a family reunion on my Dad's side. I did not know these people existed, but there were more than 100 present. I found many farmers, mechanics, engineers, electricians, and people who's occupations depended on mathematics. I had been brought up as a city rat by a father who was an electrical/nuclear engineer. I got my degree in physics, but hated the city life. I had to do some farming, but could not afford to make the big jump from a teaching job to being a full time farmer. But I began farming part time in the early 80's. It felt so good, although it was hard and heavy work.

Fast forward...next generation...my kids. My oldest son earned his Master's in Ag engineering, and is very involved in part time farming, with a full time job as a research scientist in Ag. His 5 year old son just lives to farm, or ride tractoror combine with either of us. My oldest daughter also earned her degree in Ag Engineering, specializing in water flow and soils. Her 3 sons are very interested in farming, but live in the burbs, so they have a big garden. 2nd son is into machine tool sales, another mechanical trade. 2nd daughter is into a desk job that requires constant mathematics, but no kids yet.

So I do think we are driven by our genetics, our brains are preprogramed into certain areas, and are totally vacant in other areas. As I was in public education for 32 years, it was a common belief among educators that anyone can be taught anything (including behavior modification). I do believe that is true to a limited extent, but after seeing some students really struggle in the science area, but excell in the arts, and languages, I have even stronger belief that our genetics plays a major role in what we do, and like to do.

So when my wife is questioning the wisdom of a recent tool or tractor purchase, I just tell her it is in my genetics, it just has to be! Works for me, maybe it'll work for you too?

Good Day!!

Paul in MN

Just for you Larry:

I hope you enjoy it:
*********************************************

I AM PROUD TO BE A FARMER
***********

We are proud to be a farmer for we have come this far.
Down through the years to where we are.
Side by side hand and hand we’ve lived and died for this great land.

We’ve tilled the soil for the seed to grow, and built the fences to hold the cattle.
We’ve sheared the sheep of golden fleeces.
We’ve done us proud to come this far, down through the years to where we are.

JR. FRYE

ps: Hows every one beem