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Tractor enthusiasts celebrate Allis-Chalmers tractors
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP)--Rows of bright orange Allis-Chalmers tractors dating to the 1930s are attracting crowds to a northern Indiana farm to watch the classic farm machinery harvest wheat. Marion Klutzke, 77, recently hosted the 5th Annual Little K wheat Harvest on his Tippecanoe County farm to help keep the Allis-Chalmers legacy alive. "Farmers today don't know about these machines, some never seen them before," he said. "No one would ever know about them unless we keep it going." When Allis-Chalmers stopped manufacturing in 1985 after it sold its agricultural equipment business to a German company, Klutzke bought all the parts and tractors he could. At the time, they were considered worthless. Now, they're collectors items. Since retiring in 1992, Klutzke has become world-renowned for intricate knowledge of the machinery. He owns eight combines and 50 tractors--all of them Allis-Chalmers. "People call him The Professor because he knows more about the Allis-Chalmers--how they work, how to fix them--than anyone else," said Klutzke's son, Randy. "He's forgotten more than I will ever know." Friends, collectors and enthusiasts from across the world attend Marion Klutzke's annual wheat harvest using the collectible farm machinery. They talk shop, farming and watch the machines in action as they harvest fields of ripe wheat. After a thresher's lunch, this year's visitors began prepping tractors and combines of all sizes and years--from the 1930s to the 1950s--to begin the harvest. tractors towing Allis-Chalmers All-Crop combines descended on a 30-acre wheat field in order of size to demonstrate their harvesting styles. Paul Fassnacht repaired a belt for a 1929 Rumely threshing machine with new metal threading. Others called for various wrenches for final tightening before the machines rolled off. Joe Comerford of Lima, attending for the first time with wife, Judy, said the price and horsepower made the Allis-Chalmers popular. Greg Phebus and his grandfather, John James of Battle Ground, looked over various tractors before the harvest began. Phebus has inherited his grandfather's WD45 Allis-Chalmers tractor. "I can drive it real well," he said. Date: 7/16/07
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