Heritage Iron Issue #47

Heritage Iron Issue 47 - Sept/Oct 2016

• FEATURING: Steiger Panther PTA-325. While the Panther was not the biggest tractor in the Steiger line, it wasn't the smallest, either. Designed for the large acreage farmer, the Panther was available with a choice of engines, transmission, and horsepower ranges to offer the model that was "just right." Feature tractor owner: Monty Zapf - Greenfield, IN.

• Around the Drawbar: Battle Scars.

• John Deere 7520: One-of-a-kind custom. Just as some people customize cars, this tractor has also been customized. Tractor owner: Dan Acuff - Ottawa, IL.

• Machinery Milestones: The tractor scene from 30, 40, and 50 years ago.

• Massey-Ferguson Tow Tractors: The 1030 earns its wings. Like nearly every full-line tractor manufacturer of that era, the company focused on building the mid-size to full-size tractors. When Massey was looking for a company to produce their compact tractors, they turned to Toyosha in Oseka, Japan. While the smaller models were basically lawn mowers, the 1030 was given a special job - towing airplanes.

• International Harvester Moldboard Plows. The mainstay of tillage tools in the Muscle Tractor Era were moldboard plows. Now many have been parked or parted, and other tillage tools have taken their place. IH Model 700 plow, plus the Model 730, 735, 770, 800.

• M&W Tenderfoot Shifter: Pass or Fail. In my talks with Elmo Meiner of M&W Gear, he admitted that only about one out of 25 ideas actually worked and went into production. The Tenderfoot Shifter was one of those products that slipped through to production and quite possibly should have been left on the drawing board. 

• Mini Muscle: Loyd Jasper's Tiling Machine, scratch-built to perfection.

• Museums: The Branson Auto and Farm Museum.