Tractor in the Haystack: Great Stories of Tractor Archaeology
For the aficionado of farm equipment, or the scion of an old farming family nostalgic for the old days, or the grown-up boy who still loves a classic piece of old-time machinery, the vintage tractor can be a thrilling find like no other. This book tells dozens of stories of such discoveries, of the treasured old tractor parked in a shed since 1927, of the pristine model unearthed at an estate sale, of the broken-down old beauty stashed in a barn where generations of children have made their...
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The vintage tractor unearthed in a barn or shed can be a thrilling find like no other. This book tells dozens of stories of just such discoveries, of the treasured old tractor parked in a shed since 1927, of the pristine model unearthed at an estate sale, of the broken-down old beauty stashed in a barn where generations of children have made their secret hideaways. These are the classic tractors that are often as hard to find as a needle in a haystack—but far more fun to discover, as all of these delightful stories make abundantly clear.Implement & Tractor MagazineIn addition to these nostalgic and interesting tales, Garvey - an author and photographer who hunts and restores old tractors when time permits - offers tips on how readers can find old-iron treasures of their own.
Foreword Roger Welsch 7Acknowledgments 13Introduction 15Finding Favorites 19The Case in the Shed 19My First Ford 25A Transcontinental Team Effort 32Forgotten, but Not Gone 36Finding a Namesake 39The Inspired Apprentice 44An A for an H 49Meeting His Waterloo 54Buckthorn-Brush Moline 60Junkyard Deals 67Deere Hunting 67Back from the Brink 74Scrapyard Titan 82Steam Power 87A Walk in the Woods 87Family Traditions 93Across the Ice 103Up the River without a Barge 108The Collectors 117Michigan Backyards 117Fate Intervenes at the County Fair 127Airborne Invasion 134The Rock Island Line 139Winning on a Long Shot 144Firsts 151An Oliver with a Twist 154The Engagement Gift 159Around the World 165Island Hopping 165A Case of La Dolce Vita 173Radio Recovery 178For the Father Who Has Everything 182Hard to Part With 185Finding the Parts 189A Tap on the Shoulder 190Digging Up Skeletons 194One Piece at a Time 198Out of Retirement and Back to Work 205School's Out 205Two for One 211Overseas Transplants 214An Extra Dexta 220Rusting under a Willow Tree 224Some Personal Favorites 229Epilogue: There Are Still Treasures Out There 243How to Find Hidden Old Iron 249Index 254
\ From the Publisher“It would make a great Christmas gift for tractor lovers.” - Jay Whetter, Grainews\ “I started out with thinking I would read a story or two, and then do something else. Then I found myself thinking, I’ll read just one more. The book had me hooked. …if you enjoy reading the letters pages in this magazine, and get a thrill from exploring the hedgerows and barns of the countryside for the next great find, then I think this book would be a welcome addition to your shelves.” – Chris Losey, Hart Parr Oliver Collector\ “It would make a great Christmas gift for tractor lovers.” - Jay Whetter, Grainews\ “In addition to these nostalgic and interesting tales, Garvey – an author and photographer who hunts and restores old tractors when time permits – offers tips on how readers can find old-iron treasures of their own.” - Implement & Tractor Magazine\ “Aside from there interesting tales of tractors both lost and found, author Scott Garvey also gives tips on finding old iron treasures of your own.” - Toy Farmer\ “No book captures this passion (or gentle madness) with more loving care than Scott Garvey's The Tractor in the Haystack: Great Stories in Tractor Archaeology. Garvey presents the stories of more than 30 individuals who fall under the spell of old farm equipment. Garvey's vignettes in what he labels “tractor archaeology” are therefore part detective story, part Antiques Roadshow, and part Popular Mechanics. Garvey takes the reader on the search for old tractors in “old haystacks” or more sedate estate sales. He captures the struggles of searching for the right part and the quiet joy of restoring a broken-down heap to working order. In this, Garvey captures the human struggle to remember, to create and to live. But forget the cosmic themes, this is a fun read with fascinating personalities pursuing their passions.” John Kestner, Farm Industry News\ “The book is a collection of stories from old-tractor hunters around the world. If you can’t make the Winnipeg launch, ask for the book at your favourite bookstore or order it online. It would make a great Christmas gift for tractor lovers.” - Jay Whetter, Grain News\ “Got a guy on your list who loves anything with an engine? Then he'll love "The Tractor in the Haystack" by Scott Garvey. In this book, the latest in a series, he'll read about tractors that have been discovered broken, busted and unloved, then brought back to health.” - Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Spectrum\ Besides being fun to read, the book reveals an inspiring array of ways to find tractors, pieces, and parts. It’s sort of a cross between Sherlock Holmes, Indiana Jones and the Powerball lottery. -- Farm & Ranch Living\ \ \ \ \ \ GrainewsIt would make a great Christmas gift for tractor lovers.\ —Jay Whetter\ \ \ The SpectrumGot a guy on your list who loves anything with an engine? Then he'll love "The Tractor in the Haystack" by Scott Garvey. In this book, the latest in a series, he'll read about tractors that have been discovered broken, busted and unloved, then brought back to health.\ —Terri Schlichenmeyer\ \ \ \ \ Hart Parr Oliver CollectorI started out with thinking I would read a story or two, and then do something else. Then I found myself thinking, I'll read just one more. The book had me hooked. . . . if you enjoy reading the letters pages in this magazine, and get a thrill from exploring the hedgerows and barns of the countryside for the next great find, then I think this book would be a welcome addition to your shelves.\ —Chris Losey\ \ \ \ \ Implement & Tractor MagazineIn addition to these nostalgic and interesting tales, Garvey - an author and photographer who hunts and restores old tractors when time permits - offers tips on how readers can find old-iron treasures of their own.\ \ \ \ \ Toy FarmerAside from there interesting tales of tractors both lost and found, author Scott Garvey also gives tips on finding old iron treasures of your own.\ \ \ \ \ Farm Industry NewsNo book captures this passion (or gentle madness) with more loving care than Scott Garvey's The Tractor in the Haystack: Great Stories in Tractor Archaeology. Garvey presents the stories of more than 30 individuals who fall under the spell of old farm equipment. Garvey's vignettes in what he labels "tractor archaeology" are therefore part detective story, part Antiques Roadshow, and part Popular Mechanics. Garvey takes the reader on the search for old tractors in "old haystacks" or more sedate estate sales. He captures the struggles of searching for the right part and the quiet joy of restoring a broken-down heap to working order. In this, Garvey captures the human struggle to remember, to create and to live. But forget the cosmic themes, this is a fun read with fascinating personalities pursuing their passions.\ —John Kestner\ \
