Saturday, May 18th, 2024
Build a tractor and they will come
By Michael Frank
Photo by Aaron Snyder/The Daily Standard
Members of the St. Henry FFA recently finished restoring a 1950 Farmall H tractor.
ST. HENRY - St. Henry High School FFA members are leaving behind more than just memories of the school year.
About 20 students teamed up to restore a 1950 Farmall H tractor to its former glory with completely new parts and a bright red paint job, matching one of the school's colors.
FFA adviser and agricultural teacher Brad Rindler said Ohio Chapter 6 of the International Harvesters Collectors Association sent out an email last summer seeking interest from schools in the project.
St. Henry was chosen and received the tractor at the beginning of the school year in August. They were tasked with completing the restoration by June 2024.
Rindler said Doug Fisher of Wapakoneta served as a contact, helping to provide parts and answer questions that arose.
The Farmall H was produced from 1939 to 1953 by International Harvester, according to the website farmall-h.com.
According to sales literature of the time, the tractor was "an ideal, all-purpose tractor for diversified farms up to 160 acres, or for specialized farms raising such row crops as potatoes or sugar beets. It pulls two 14-inch bottoms, cultivates up to 35 acres of row crops a day, and speeds up other farm jobs in proportion."
Submitted Photo
Pictured is the Farmall H tractor in the condition when it was first received by St. Henry FFA students.
It has five gears, plus reverse; a four-cylinder engine; and an 88 3/8 inch wheelbase. It has a 26-horsepower engine.
"We spent some evenings, some Saturdays working on it," Rindler said. "We overhauled the engine, put new tires, battery, paint and so on. We tore it all down and built it back up."
The tires were donated, but everything else was done by the FFA students.
Rindler said as part of the agreement with International Harvesters Collectors, the students have to sell the restored tractor.
St. Henry FFA will raffle off the tractor, with proceeds to cover the cost of the restoration.
Submitted Photo
Students from the St. Henry FFA are shown working to restore a 1950 Farmall H tractor. The work was recently completed and the tractor will be awarded in a drawing.
"Hopefully, we come out ahead," Rindler said.
Senior Hayden Harrod is a four-year member of the group and has served as president. He has taken classes for two years at Tri-Star Career Compact.
"Ag mechanics taught me a lot," Harrod said. "I learned a lot of different skills."
He plans to attend The Ohio State University at Lima to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering technology.
He also works for Lincoln Electric Automation in Coldwater.
"This has helped me get a head start on my career," Harrod said.
Looking at the finished product, Harrod noted "you can see the hard work and how it has paid off. It looks great."
Fellow senior Logan Dehan said the main challenge "was a lot of small things that people don't see."
Harrod said once it is sold, "it will be a show tractor. It probably won't ever see dirt again."
Photo by Aaron Snyder/The Daily Standard
St. Henry FFA students are pictured with the Farmall H tractor they spent most of the school year restoring. Pictured are Matt Rosenbeck, seated, Hayden Harrod, center, and Logan Dehan.
