Vintage tractor collector from Wisconsin makes seventh trip to Alaska State Fair

PALMER, Alaska (KTUU) – Thursday kicked off the second week of the Alaska State Truthful, and the crowds began displaying up proper because the gates opened at 11 a.m for Alaska Agriculture Day.

Whereas the Division of Agriculture hosted the Tundra Chef Cook dinner-off Problem, classic tractor collector John Baum greeted fair-goers as they walked by the gates.

That is the seventh time Baum has come to Alaska to point out off his classic assortment with the opposite members of the Vintage Energy Membership of Alaska. In tow with him, this yr is his 1939 Sears Roebuck — however that’s not his solely tractor.

“I’m as much as 19 of them. They solely constructed 500 of them, and there’s solely about 100 of them left,” Baum mentioned. “I’m type of a Ford particular person.”

Baum realized the best way to drive tractors whereas rising up on a dairy farm along with his dad, however as soon as his farming days have been over, his love for tractors and gear remained regular. His in depth assortment began with a 1938 Sears Roebuck financial system tractor and grew from there.

He drove as much as Alaska over 15 years in the past to participate within the energy membership’s plow day throughout the solstice, however after working into June snow in Canada, he opted to return up throughout the month of August going ahead.

“I bought hooked on the honest time,” Baum mentioned.

Baum is without doubt one of the first faces individuals see as they stroll by the gates of the yellow path. His tractor sits completely behind a desk he units up that shows previous information articles and outdated gear advertisements from the late Nineteen Thirties. He drives his classic tractors as much as Alaska in trailers over 3,000 miles from Wisconsin each different yr, spending the off years at a present in Rantoul, Illinois. This yr his truck broke down in Tok, however the decided tractor fanatic paid to have the trailer — and the Ford Mannequin A engine tractor — towed the remainder of the best way.

Fortunately, the classic tractor runs simply high quality and might be seen each day at 3 p.m. when Baum runs it within the iconic vintage tractor pull occasion on the yellow path garden.

“It’s not like competitors. It’s for schooling, but it surely normally fairly nicely takes first place,” Baum bragged. “It like pulls simply in regards to the full size.”

Baum has no intention of shopping for extra classic tractors so as to add to his fleet however nonetheless will get sale gives when individuals hear about his assortment.

“I’m holding at 19,” Baum laughed. “I might have purchased one other couple of them, however 4 masses is sufficient. You bought to place a restrict someday.”

Copyright 2022 KTUU. All rights reserved.