It was hard to do

I sold one of my Allis Chalmers Model M crawlers. I bought it 15 years ago and it has sat in the same place. I was keeping for the tracks, but I am going to phase out disking, and will not need the tracks. Everything is getting old including me. I will just do mowing for a few more years. Stan

Old crawlers are Ok for 30 somethings with good backs. They do not assist in keeping backs good. Good decision. Jim

What you are saying is giving up disking is another sign part of your productive life slipping away to put it blunt. I am going through the same feelings right now with giving up some land, possibly selling some machinery that is taking up room in the shed and signing up for SS payments.

I'm getting there too. Sold my old baler last year, don't plan to lift another hay bale.

Tis hard for sure. So wet the past few years, decided I was done fighting weather trying to put up hay. My hay ground is not low, it's just we can't get a week of dryness. Last winter feeding my cattle one morn, my bull nosed into a bale and gave me one of those "what's this crap boss?" looks. You know that's what it was because he'd always shake his head in a new sweet bale for several minutes before letting any of his "girls" to it. I'm in my mid 70s and I guess that's OK, but it's hard I sold my Devon grass fed herd last spring, and I'm going to part with a couple hundred acres too, to a neighbor to our family since the 1870s and really good folks. I quit burning wood for our full time heat 2 years ago, I've plenty of woods to work in, but 10 cords is a lot of woods work, particularly when there's 4 feet of snow drifted in there. I used to love making wood, 20 below and the woods would just sing. With chains on all 4 tires the SC did yeoman work, pulling a small trailer and skidding logs in. But, today, I don't miss it. Somethings going on, and not sure what? Those 60 pound sacks have gotten heavier too........ Larry

I'm trying to not give up anything! But time keeps marching on. I put fresh chips in my horse barn with my WD 45 Allis and trip bucket loader 8 ft eave. Had forgot how hard it steered, but still could shift from 2nd to R with the hand clutch and never rip a gear. Only way to have continuous hyd. Yes its slipping away, 74 next Month.

Me too. I gave notice this summer that I am giving up all my rented ground that I've farmed for 42 years. Gonna just farm the 300 acres that I own for a few more years. Selling all the
cattle, all the livestock equipment, haying equipment, some of the machinery that is bigger than I need. We have an on-line auction scheduled for February. Finishing harvest on "the
Johnson Farm" was kind of emotional this year. A lot of memories to deal with. But I'm happy with my decision. I'm looking forward to retirement. It's time to let the younger guys
have their turn. I don't plan to sign up for SS yet as I'll have a couple pretty high income years as I sell out. Figure I'll wait a couple years so my checks will be a little bigger when I do
start taking it. Keeping real busy this fall/winter cleaning up machinery getting it ready to sell. That kind of messes with your mind too. Selling off machinery that you worked your
back side off, trying to get it paid for.

You are not the only one. I'm downsizing, two people picked up last weekend, also sold three old trucks.

My hat is off to all of you that responded. It's hard to make life changes, but healthy in the long look at things.

I'm sure we all know some that refuse to accept reality and leave things as they were and always have been for far, far too long.

May you and those around you find peace as we all deal with changes in life.

Larry

What model was the caterpillar with the LeTourneau dozer kit, manual tilt and angle with hyster winch.

So glad to see some one else that recognized the LeTourneau dozer kit.
That invention really bulldozed him out of a tight spot when he came up with it.
Just one of many things he came up with.
A true American genius.
Richard in NW SC

Luckily for us younger folks starting out in the tractor hobby or buying equipment to do hay for the first time ever, y'all are a great source of information and wisdom. Folks here have helped us in so many ways. And I'm thankful for that. Keep on helping us younger folks! Let us do the hard work and y'all take a much deserved rest. Kevin and Renee Love

I have rented all my ground out that is not in crp progam, no more animals, I do miss them thou but not the financial side of them. anyway looking in to ss and medicare, so far the renting out is best thing I done I have profit every year, all shop business still trying to get it closed out yet will take a while looks like yet, anyone want go into small engine, lawn mower dealership. will sell it all as one package but building does not go

1942 R4

Still have a 55 D4 and 48 D7 with a Laplante Choate hydraulic blade. They may go too.

I sold a bunch of equipment this year and am trying to get my neighbor to take over some of my accounts. I would like to just do custom field mowing. My wife and I decided to retire while we were still able to enjoy life.

Thought it was an R series, USN 7th fleet had a lot of these or the next series up. Always fancied one because of the way they are equipped, that dozer kit, while crude, still very functional.

Probably a good thing I did not see that it was for sale LOL!

Richard, absolutely, R.G. LeTourneau revolutionized what was mainly an agricultural tractor, into effective construction equipment. cable operated LeT Power Control Units (PCU) were used to operate these attachments for quite a period of time on some very large civil projects, like the ALCAN highway. Brilliant innovator, some good reading on him too.