Southern Pa. | 45Deere9670 - 5/11/2016 11:57
There are Menonites at least, maybe some Amish, that drive/ operate tractors. Just have to be on steel wheels, as can be seen in he picture.
The Old Order Amish have changed some over the years, and different districts have some variation as to what they allow. The Old Order Mennonites haven't changed as much as the Old Order Amish, at least from my observations, HERE, in Pa.
Old Order Mennonites have used steel wheeled tractors for as long as I can remember, they drive them on the road some, like in the picture. Old Order Amish, on the other hand, don't use tractors much, and if they do, it's generally just for stationary PTO/Belt work. (ie, you won't see an Old Order Amish man pulling a plow, or planter, or round baler, or even a hay wagon through a field with a tractor. Either the implement will have its own engine, or will be pulled with a motorized "forecart" which provides the PTO, and may include hyd.to raise and lower the implement. In any case, all implements will be pulled with horses.
Old Order Mennonites use tractors much as anyone would, with the exception that they will have steel wheels. In PA they pretty much keep them at or below 100 PTO hp., and they don't have cabs. A 2 or 4 post with a canopy is fine.
The couple on the tractor are very likely moving the tractor from one farm to another. The lady could pass for Old Order Mennonite, or Old Order Amish. I can't tell because she has a scarf over her "covering", or "white cap" as some folks refer to it. The Old Order Mennonite ladies have a different style of head "covering" than the Old Order Amish. Not hard to tell the difference, even from a distance. The giveaway is the style of straw hat the man is wearing. It's Old Order Amish all the way. Old order Mennonite men wear straw hats too, but never that style. That's why I say they are simply moving the tractor from one farm to another, and are with out question Old Order Amish. Old Order Amish don't pull implements around with tractors. Not HERE, in Pa. They may very well have differing practices in other states.
Mennonites (not the OLD ORDER) vary very widely in practice. As a general rule they are more "progressive" in the West, and more conservative in the East. But there is a very wide range of practice, even HERE in the East. Some would operate on a smaller scale, much like the Old Order Mennonites, with the exception of Mennonites having rubber tires on tractors and implements, phones, electricity, and driving automobiles. Other progressive Mennonites have large operations, and incorporate modern technology much as anyone else would.
Old Order Mennonites have steel wheels on Self propelled equipment, but use rubber on drawn implements. Old Order Mennonites use horse and buggies, and bicycles for transportation, have electricity and telephones in the house. Old Order Amish don't use tractors in the field to pull implements, have steel wheels on tractors AND all drawn implements, drive horse and buggies, but don't ride bicycles. (rubber tires aren't allowed) No electricity or phone allowed IN THE HOUSE. Some Amish farmers (with a small side business) will have a phone in a little "phone shack" away from the other buildings, and will answer phone calls for maybe one hour or so in the mornings. If they rely totally on a business for their livelihood, many will have a phone in the office at their business, much as any one else. A "business" Amish man has more liberties than a "Farmer", even though they attend church together.
I could relate many more differences, but it should give you a little idea. There are are also "New Order Amish", "Beachy Amish", "Amish Mennonites", etc, etc..................
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New style buddy seat (pic)
