Monster Tractors

05/28/2025

It's the beginning of hay season and even before yesterday's miraculously-not-fatal accident in Hartland, I've been wanting to write something about what to do when you encounter farm machinery on the road. Here's the summary--be smart, be patient, and don't pass if you can't see.
If you see a tractor, ahead of you or oncoming, slow down.
If the tractor is ahead of you, you'll need to stay behind them until you can see far enough ahead to safely pass. That could be a long time, especially since it's hard to see around big machinery. Generally, farmers will notice and slow down or stop to let you pass, waving you ahead. If this doesn't happen as soon as you think it should, it's because the farmer knows something you don't. The road ahead could be too bendy, there could be overhanging branches that will damage the tractor if they pull over, or the tractor won't be able to pull the hill if it stops midway. There could also be a car coming, or a kid on a bicycle, that they can see that you can't.
If this seems like the most basic thing, it is. But every time we put in hay, people pass the tractors in situations that would be fatal if there was oncoming traffic.
If the tractor is coming toward you and you're not sure if there's room to pass, slow down and get as far to the side as you can. The tractor is not going to hit you, but an idiot trying to pass them might.
Here's the thing about farmers--they're kind of the opposite of selfish. They do a really hard job to feed people. They don't want to make you late for whatever you probably should have left earlier for. They don't want to block the road or scare up dust. They just want to do their jobs and get home safe to their families. They also want you to get home safe.
Please slow down, make room, and don't pass if you can't see.
Thank you.

12/07/2023

Wishing all my friends and family a very happy Hanukah, more then ever our world needs the light..

11/03/2022

06/20/2022

05/10/2018

01/21/2018

"Big Boy" Tricycle Powered By 1-Cyl. Engine

Harlen Grovom and his friends in the North Dakota Pioneer Association had a great time building a giant 3-wheeler this past winter. It's now a big hit at parades and shows.

Grovom says he bought some scrap iron and a couple pieces of new roller chain, but that was it. Everything else in the giant 3-wheeler was salvaged from equipment on hand.

"The big, spoked front wheel with an 11 by 36-in. tire came from a 1950's combine. The two small back wheels are off a corn planter," he says. "We used some angle iron and metal parts off a drill for the frame, including the front wheel steering spindle. The front forks were made from 2 by 3-in. steel tubing."
The rear wheels are driven by a 1-cyl. LB International 5 hp gas engine. It mounts on a platform between the rear wheels.

"It's an awful nice-sounding engine that just putt-putts along steady," Grovom says. "It travels at the speed of a fast walk, which is ideal for parades. The engine speed is pre-set before you get seated, and the hand-controlled clutch and gearshift are located to the left of the seat. There's also a brake pedal on the right, near the foot rest."

The tricycle is fitted with an auto transmission and the rear end and hydraulic brakes out of a pickup. Grovom uses a belt tightener as the clutch and installed a cover over the chains and transmission for safety.

Foot rests welded half-way up the front forks supply the "power steering." The giant steel pipe handlebars measure 4 ft. across.

He says a driver can easily mount the unit because of the platform and another step up to the old F20 International tractor seat. "Getting off is a little trickier û you have to pay attention," he points out.

Grovom painted the rig red and added accessories including a big headlight from an old truck, and two used electric trumpet horns, to make it parade-ready.