[SEL] Tractor picture

[Jerry Evans]

At 06:00 PM 02/04/2008, you wrote:

>Seeing these pictures reminded me of a picture I copied a few years ago.
>Does anyone remember the source of the picture?
>see http://image14.webshots.com/15/2/61/31/158326131SVpHWz_ph.jpg
>Dave Croft
>Warrington
>http://www.oldengine.org/members/croft/
>http://community.webshots.com/user/crftdv

Hi Dave,
         As George mentioned - it may have been in South Africa - but I 
think this may have been at one of the other tractor record events - 
probably Australia.
         It all started in April 1999 at Sandstone Estates here in South 
Africa with the first world record for the number of vintage tractors 
"working" in 1 field (109 tractors). They had to have a ground implement 
attached. This event was called the "Great 100 Working"
         Aus passed this total in 2001 with 298 tractors and Sandstone held 
their next attempt
in April 2002 and pushed the total up to 755 tractors.This event was called 
the "Great 400 Working".
         Since then there have been a number of other events in Aus, 
Ireland and (I think) England.
         The current record holder is Ireland - they had a massive event 
last year and the total of tractors  was something like 2000 (not sure 
exactly) (Sandstone actually sent tractors to this event and participated 
as they had also done in Aus.)
         There is talk of another attempt in Canada sometime in the future.
         I do not think that we (South Africa) will try again because we 
just do not have that many vintage tractors although the original concept 
of "working VINTAGE tractors" seems to have become a bit corrupted with 
more modern machines and even things like "ride on mowers" taking part in 
some of the later events.
         There is a good article here:

<http://www.sandstone-estates.com/interim/misc/World_Record_Tractor_Challenge_Cooley_Ireland_August_07/Cooley1.pdf>

         I'm off to Sandstone next week for their annual "Cosmos Festival". 
Will be helping to start and run some of their Stationary engine 
collection. We always have a great time there and they look after us 
collectors very well - accomodation - good food etc.
You can read about a previous one I attended on my site here:
<http://www.oldengine.org/members/evans/sandstone/index.htm>


Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm