It sounds like you fellas are really putting together a great show. Sort of like a homecoming for all the old cast iron we appreciate so much. Those of us on the East coast might want to think about arranging or sharing transport if we think we can make it. Right now I could not commit but later this year I will know better what next year looks like for me. Heck, who knows what the price of diesel will be in a year. Maybe if I start growing soybean now, I could put together my own home built refiner and start stocking up on Biodiesel!!

Pat, I would encourage you and some of the other east coast collectors to work together to put together a truck load. Maybe someone on the east coast has a truck and trailer and you guys can share in the cost of fuel etc. Three of us from Paso Robles shared a truck to take some of our goodies to the Brooks National Show last year and the cost was not too bad. However, that was only a 1,600 mile round trip. If you bring some of the smaller tractors like 10, 7C, 15, 8C, 22 and 2 ton's those all fit on a 102 inch deck sideways and with a stepdeck you can put together quite a load.

I know Ron Meeder who posted at the beginning of this thread would have an interest in participating in such an effort.

Anyone elase out there of a like mind?

Rick Keane is helping with our attempt to get RFD TV out for the show. As I explained to Rick, the tractors will be awesome but the harvesters will be the show stoppers. As it stands now, we will have Best, Holt and Harris harvesters being pulled by Mules, steamers and gas tractors. Our current plan is to have at least 20-30 acres of grain to harvest so there is plenty to harvest on all 3 days.

Tom,
Can you or will you be posting a collective list of tractor models that will be there? This sure sounds like it is going to be one to remember. Thanks and have a great day!

Chad:

I will not have a certain list until show time; however, I can say that it will be the most complete lineup of Best , Holt and Cat models that has been assembled at a show.

As of now, it looks like we will have Best round wheel tractor, 110 steamer, humpback, multiple 25's, 30's, 40's, tail and top seat 60's and 75's. Basically, if it is in existence, we should have one there.

As for Holt, we will have multiple 2 Tons, 5 Tons and 10 Tons, midgets, 30's, 45's, 60's and 75's, along with a 120 and a few other one of a kind pieces. If Don Hunter manages to finish his Holt Steam crawler, that will be there as well.

On the Cat side the list stops at the D 5 as the newest piece although there will be lots and lots of later diesel cats from D2 through D9. What I am informally piecing together is as complete a list of representative tractors with variations such as, for example, standard 10, wide 10, high 10 and orchard 10. I have no illusion that each variation will be represented but we will do our best. As with Tulare in 2004, many people brought tractors that I was unaware of untill they showed up and others attempted to bring tractors that never materialzed. At best it is a crap shoot. However, based upon the close proximity of major collections it will be a remarkable turn out.

Now, as far as what I do not have a good handle on, I know that we will need to find a high 22, a diesel 70, a Cat (not Holt) 10 Ton and maybe an R3 for Caterpillar tractors. Believe it or not, the Holt's and the Best's are well represented in the area. However, the more the merrier. If you have a rare model or variation and are able to bring it to the show, I would like to hear from you. There seems to be an opportunity to get some collectors from some distance away together so they can share loads to the show.

If you are ever inclined to bring a tractor to a show, this is the one to bring it to.

More updates later.

Tom, Which Tractors from our collection would you appricate the most ?, I am getting ready to restore the 1st Holt/Best/Cat in my New Cat-Cave

Byron:

If you are implying that you would bring a container across the pond for the show, I would guess that you would be more inclined to bring some small crawlers. Since the focus will be on the early stuff, the Best 25 and the Holt 2 Ton that you bought at Don's sale plus whatever else you have to fill in the container. We need an R3 and a High 22 but I do not recall that you have either of those. What else do you want to bring?

Tom, I neally had the R3 from that sale I gave in to Halton Cat , and had that Iron Wheel Phase , my shipping company tell me, that I can not travel on the container vessle , I have even offered my Mechanical skills for the crossing. I should have the split head tailseat 30 ready, I am looking into the insurance costs for shipping the Best 25 (I gota do a return load x2 on shipping costs, that panana canal aint cheap), Do you think CAT / ACMOC could help fund Long Haul Travel ?? . I really like the idea of seeing all the early best/holt/cat machines side by side.

This will be an antique equipment show that should not be missed. By that time I should have a new digital camera, with highest pixels, to take photos. Maybe a special all-color issue of the magazine would be in order, too.

Would the organizers consider having the tractors individually pose for official (and unofficial) photographs with a neutral background, much as the Antique Truck Historical Society does? I think it would add to the quality of the photos to be used in the magazine. And the photos could be posted on-line for future reference - an archive of historical Best, Holt, and Cat machines. Just a thought.

GWH

Byron:

I like the effort you are willing to put forth to be at the show. At this time we cannot commit to helping with the shipping costs. We have been approached by many for help and that would defeat the purposes for the show, one of which is to raise money for the long term financial viability of the Heidrick Museum and collection. If you are not able to ship the tractors then your attendence is all that we can ask for.

George, that is a good idea. I will put the request before the committee and see what we can do.

I cannot echo George's comments enough. Dan Best (Host), Michael O'Donahue (Executive Director of the Heidrick), Alan Harris (Show Co-chair), Willie (Show Committee Member), Ed Ponte (Show Committee Member) and I attended the Tulare Show over the weekend and passed out save the date cards and approached many exhibitors and asked them to bring their tractors to Woodland for the show. The response was beyond our wildest dreams!! Many people had heard about the show through the internet and from conversations. The enthusiam is unbelievable. There are many collectors (me included) attempting to have tractors done to bring to the big show in 08. We are emphasizing that the show is all inclusive with all brands of crawlers, wheel tractors, prairie tractors, steamers, gas engines, trucks and equipment of all shapes and sizes welcome.

I will email George a save the date card with one of our feature tractors, the C.L. Best Orchard 30 circa 1914-15 which we believe is the oldest Best crawler in the world. If there is an older one we want to know about it and get it there. We are also attempting to have the 3 oldest Holt crawlers at the show. We are pretty sure we can at least have 2 of the 3 there. Again, if there are older ones that predate Sep. 1910, let me know. We would love to have them there. Lots of other neat stuff will be there as well. More later.