We bought this ancient, 2 cylinder John Deer tractor for $1500 dollars and we
used the bush hog to complete the clearing of small tree trunks and brush the
goats had left behind. The engine exhaust made a popping sound each time
the cylinders fired and so we named the tractor "Poppin John".
Metal Fatigue: One day in late autumn while mowing with the bush hog, I
lifted the bush hog to turn the tractor around and there was a sharp crack and
I suddenly found myself looking at the sky with no grip on the steering wheel
because the bolts holding the seat to the trans-axle had broken from the
trans-axle housing, leaving a 2 inch hole in the cast iron housing. The tractor
continued on its way at a slow, irresistible pace as I struggled to sit up without
falling under the wheels. After a few exciting seconds I was able to bring the
machine was back under control and park it. The trouble with owning old
mobile equipment like cars, trucks, or tractors is that eventually stuff breaks
simply because of the age of the metal they are made of.
Poppin John sat parked in the same spot for about a year because repairing
the trans-axle was likely to be an expensive project and by that time we had
started construction on the house and all our money was dedicated to that
purpose.
That winter I was approached by a fellow who enjoyed restoring old tractors
and I sold Popping John to him for $800. I was sad to see it go, not in the least
because without it I would have to mow the 3 cleared acres with a walk-behind
mower.
used the bush hog to complete the clearing of small tree trunks and brush the
goats had left behind. The engine exhaust made a popping sound each time
the cylinders fired and so we named the tractor "Poppin John".
Metal Fatigue: One day in late autumn while mowing with the bush hog, I
lifted the bush hog to turn the tractor around and there was a sharp crack and
I suddenly found myself looking at the sky with no grip on the steering wheel
because the bolts holding the seat to the trans-axle had broken from the
trans-axle housing, leaving a 2 inch hole in the cast iron housing. The tractor
continued on its way at a slow, irresistible pace as I struggled to sit up without
falling under the wheels. After a few exciting seconds I was able to bring the
machine was back under control and park it. The trouble with owning old
mobile equipment like cars, trucks, or tractors is that eventually stuff breaks
simply because of the age of the metal they are made of.
Poppin John sat parked in the same spot for about a year because repairing
the trans-axle was likely to be an expensive project and by that time we had
started construction on the house and all our money was dedicated to that
purpose.
That winter I was approached by a fellow who enjoyed restoring old tractors
and I sold Popping John to him for $800. I was sad to see it go, not in the least
because without it I would have to mow the 3 cleared acres with a walk-behind
mower.