When Farming Was King

Tractor lovers gather for Spring Crank-Up

File Photo "Hopefully people will take away an appreciation of the history that is so rich of when the small farm was how most Americans lived," says Jerry Friend, president of Tired Iron of the Ozarks.
File Photo "Hopefully people will take away an appreciation of the history that is so rich of when the small farm was how most Americans lived," says Jerry Friend, president of Tired Iron of the Ozarks.

"I really had not thought of us as a museum, but when I looked at the definition of 'museum,' we do fit," muses Jerry Friend.

Friend is talking about Tired Iron of the Ozarks, a "not-for-profit club dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of antique engines and antique tractors." But what the organization has created on Taylor Orchard Road near Gentry is a museum -- one where history comes to life on a regular basis.

FAQ

Tired Iron of the Ozarks:

Spring Crank-Up

WHEN — 8 a.m.-5 p.m. today & Saturday

WHERE — 13344 Taylor Orchard Road in Gentry

COST — Free; there will be goods for sale

INFO — tiredironoftheozark…

BONUS — The event is family and dog friendly.

"I was raised on a small farm near Cave Springs, and although I moved to town as an adult, I could not get the joy of running farm machinery out of my system," says Friend. "I found a group of people who started a club called 'Tired Iron of the Ozarks' and joined their ranks. This was around 1985. I now could be around farm machines and hear the beautiful 'pop pop' of the John Deere, the 'put put' of the Maytag washing machine engines or the quiet hum of a well restored 8N Ford tractor."

His passion is shared not only by the group's members, but by its fans, who turn out in droves for the biannual shows that take place on the club's property. The 27th annual Spring Crank-Up is scheduled today and Saturday.

"Most people who come out to our two yearly shows are drawn by memories of their childhood on the farm or hearing their parents and grandparents talk about their farm life," says Friend, who is currently president. "Others want to see how things were done in the early days of the 20th century.

"Typically the Spring Crank-Up is when we bring the treasures we have found during the winter to show them off," Friend says, adding "we can find them better when there are no leaves on the trees! We spend a lot of time driving the back roads looking for a patch of green (John Deere) or some red (Farmall) even rust (surprise! could be anything!) The machines we bring to the Crank-Up may not be painted or even running. We just brag about how little we gave for them, and maybe do some trading.

"There will be tractors there as old as 1930s, farm engines as old as 1901," he goes on. "There are engines from the oil fields that may weigh tons and engines that a child could carry. We also have a working sawmill, where a person can watch lumber being made from logs. We have a log cabin with furnishings which is over 100 years old, [and] a large building full of household antiques such quilts, pumps, sewing machines and hundreds of items -- some of which I had never seen, even as old as I am!"

Friend says it will take all day to see everything there is to see, including a "Parade of Power" at noon, when members drive their working farm and garden tractors, trucks and equipment around the grounds; a working blacksmith shop; and rope making. There will also be plenty of things for collectors to buy and a chance for newcomers to get involved.

"The club owns several tractors that need to be loved by someone, so if you don't have a tractor but are interested in playing with a big toy, then join the club ($30) and adopt one of our tractors or engines," he says. "We have members that can guide and help you learn."

NAN What's Up on 04/19/2019

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