Today I would like to talk about the most recent acquisition to my 10-acre property in McCarthy, Alaska — a vintage tractor! This 1967 International Harvester Low Boy Cub was a trade I made with my long time friend and virtual little brother, John Hickerson. I will be making a large oil painting for John when he moves to Oklahoma. John will be buying a farmhouse and will need a centerpiece painting for his new home. I feel this is a great trade for this sweet piece of equipment. John has been restoring this tractor for three years, and it runs really well. We still have some plans to finalize the restoration. We have some parts on order to rebuild the clutch, and we will be installing a new head gasket, and replacing the piston rings. It has already undergone a 12-volt conversion, and uses an alternator and battery from a Ford Focus. Earlier this week we used the tractor to spread gravel and grade our driveway. It was a real work horse — some of the lumps we destroyed would take weeks to level by hand.
I am really happy with the IH tractor, because it means I won’t have to break my back when I pop stumps out of the ground. It is rear-wheel drive, but has a mean set of rear tires with tire chains. It is really fun to drive, as the throttle is a hand lever, and there are two brakes — one for each rear wheel. These tractors are really popular, and getting parts is pretty easy and affordable. I have plans to build a barn to house my McCarthy motorized vehicles. I’ve acquired quite a fleet with my four-wheeler, snow-machine, tractor, and a 4×8 utility trailer. I’m looking forward to getting this tractor running like it was brand new, then pulling the trailer with a bale of straw, and we will have hay rides around McCarthy and up to my place! Maybe I’ll even join the 4th of July parade in McCarthy this year!
Real Art Is Better! 