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Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor?

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Jim Helgevold

11-26-2002 12:15:56




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My grandpa farmed up in North Dakota in the late 1920's early 30's and he used to tell us about a tractor I'm sure he called a "Grey". Was this a nickname for an AC or other type of tractor, or was there a Grey, or Gray, manufacturer? He mentioned AC's specifically, but he also talked about a Grey. Any chance it was a type of thrasher or combine and I just misunderstood?

I'm also looking for pictures of equipment of this vintage for a video presentation I am making for my family for Christmas. Grandpa died a few years ago so I can't ask him to help me out.

If you have access to a video camera and a few hours, sit down with your elderly parents or grandparents and "interview" them about their lives. Many of the things I learned about my grandparents and their life growing up during The Depression were never covered in history books. When you get done talking to them its fairly easy to piece the videotape together for your own ever-lasting memory of your family and its past. If grandpa puts up a fuss and pretends that he doesn't want to cooperate, just ask him to talk about when he was a young man and how much harder life was then compared to today. That's normally all you need to do to get the ball rolling. If you're like me you'll come away from the discussion feeling like you have it pretty damn easy.

Hope this prompts you to do some interviewing of your own this holiday season when everybody gets together.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jim jimh@usazone.com

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Bob

11-26-2002 23:32:30




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
The Hawk Museum at Wolford, North Dakota has one on display, I believe in running order. I don't seem to have their phone # handy. Email if interested, and I'll find it for you.



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Jon Hagen

11-26-2002 17:24:43




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
This reminds me of a story told by an old friend that had done almost everything and lived through the hard times of the depression. He and several other guys worked a small mine and had a gray tractor with the rear up on blocks. They removed all the lugs from that wheel/drum at the rear,and wound cable around it to use the tractor for a winch to pull the mine cars out.



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Brad--IN

11-26-2002 16:23:39




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
The only Nebraska tractor test in my book is test number 22 from June 11 to July 3, 1920 for a model 18-36. Produced 1918 to 1921, Waukesha engine, 4 cylinder, 950 rated rpm, max. brake HP is 32.2 and drawbar HP is 19.15 in low gear. 2 forward gears and one reverse. Test weight 6185 pound.



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Chances R

11-26-2002 16:16:22




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
third party image

Here is a picture of one we had years ago. I dont have any information with me at this time, about the tractor.



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jim

11-26-2002 15:56:11




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
I guess you've got your answer about the Gray tractor. You're on the right track about interviewing the older generation. I consider myself to be very fortunate in that I was raised in a home shared with my grandparents and rented land from older folks all my life. My grandfather was a farmer/blacksmith and his cousin a full time blacksmith/carriage maker. You learn a lot following guys like that around , like not to pick up freshly sharpened harrow teeth after they've just turned black from cherry red. Believe me ,once is enough! My landlords told me history of their farms that even their children didn't know because I took the time to listen. That's all it takes , just take the time to listen, because,before you know it , those voices are stilled forever!

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Mrs S Turner

01-13-2005 03:40:37




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 Re: Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, trac in reply to jim, 11-26-2002 15:56:11  
Our friend has just purchased a Gray trator and is going to restore it they are very different



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Dick2

11-26-2002 15:49:02




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
Pages 129 & 130 of the Encyclodeia of American Farm Tractors by C.H. Wendel. If you don't have access to this book, e-mail my and I'll scan those page and e-mail them to you. Warning: the pictures are pretty fuzzy. dtgrage@peoplepc.com



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Bob

11-26-2002 15:05:16




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
Halfway down this page is a picture:

Link

And here's another almost all the way down the page. It alternates with a picture of a road grader, so you might have to watch it for a minute or two.

http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nattrans/ntuseland/essays/roadsc.htm



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Jim

11-27-2002 07:19:28




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 Re: Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Bob, 11-26-2002 15:05:16  
Wow, I wasn't expecting such a wealth of information on the Gray. Thanks to Charlie, Jim, Dick and all of you for your help!

My plan is to incorporate pictures of the Gray and other equipment from the 1920's-30's into the final version of the videotape interview I did with my grandpa. I wish he was still around, and had access to this website. He would have loved talking about those days, and that equipment, with people like you who know so much about it. I think you would have liked him too.

I may be back here again in the next few weeks looking for more help. Thanks so much to all of you. Have a great Thanksgiving, eat too much, tell way too many stories, and hug your kids. If you have stories to tell, TELL THEM! Please.

Jim

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Uncle Herb

11-26-2002 14:54:21




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
Weren't the Ford N tractors grey (or gray)? At least most of them were.



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George G.

11-26-2002 13:30:46




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
The Gray tractor was built by the Gray Tractor Co. Minneapolis,Minn. From about 1914 to 1933.Hope that help's



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Jim

11-26-2002 13:38:49




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 Re: Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to George G., 11-26-2002 13:30:46  
Thanks George! Anything else you can tell me about the Grey? Do you know where I could find a picture of one? Did the Grey have steel wheels in the late 1920's or was rubber available by that time. Was it a 3-wheel tractor? Any idea why only 3 wheels versus traditional 4 wheel units?



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Edwards

11-26-2002 14:25:56




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 Re: Re: Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim, 11-26-2002 13:38:49  
Yes it had three wheels, all steel. However the rear, driving wheel, was the single wheel and it was about 6 feet wide. The tractor had one "fender" that went from the drivers platform and wrapped up around the large rear drum wheel and extended out over the motor and front wheels.



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rod

11-26-2002 12:39:55




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 Re: Anyone ever heard of a Grey, or Gray, tractor? in reply to Jim Helgevold, 11-26-2002 12:15:56  
The nickname for the Ferguson tractors was little gray or gray menace as some called them. the tractor was basically just painted gray.
regards
rod



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