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Pittsburg, Kansas | I have always been a machinery nerd.
Bought my first new tractor, JD3020 Diesel, the summer before I started high school. Would have been 13 at the time. Made the deal myself, probably much to my dad's surprise. Bought second new tractor (JD2030 Diesel) in my junior high school year. Bought my first tractor for resale my junior year, a Farmall Cub I repainted and checked over in our "Farm Power and Machinery" two year post high course our highschool offered.
First year VoAg our FFA advisor saw that I had some knowledge about farm equipment. Pulled me out of high school class to participate in a district FFA farm mechanics contest our chapter was sponsoring in our school. It was designed for juniors and seniors and no other freshmen from our school were participating. Advisor just thought it would be good experience for me for future years. Later in the day was again called out of my high school class to attend the awards ceremony. I won high individual and got my medal. I had never studdied a lick for the contest. It was just stuff I thought every farm kid knew.
I have been a machinery nerd for much of my life. Had the money in the bank to buy a brand new Dodge pickup. Carried the brochure around in high school with my books drooling. But Deere came out with the 30 series tractors and the 2030 got bought instead. I was just raised in too practical of a family. Tractors made money, pickups didn't. Instead for a pickup truck bought neighgors early 1954 Chevy 3/4 ton (53 body style they changed in the later 54's to the Apache). I got my 4 on the floor with the added benefit of a granny gear! That truck went to a lot of dances and trips to things and also places my mother would not have approved of.
I have 90% recovered from my machinery addiction. Still have a couple of "play" tractors for retirement activities. Replaced most of it with motorcycle addiction. I have been awfully tempted to buy a big old trackhoe though to play with. If I happen to run across the right one at the right price, I can be doing some serious damage with one. What mostly has held me back is the thought of work. A trackhoe sounds like some serious work involved. And truth be known, it is a good thing I had not experienced retirement earlier in life. I like being lazy waaaay too much. :-)
Edited by John Burns 11/8/2025 11:05
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I don’t understand.
