ROADING WITH TRACTORS

20 July 2010

Now a sprightly 70 years old, Wally Vorwerk, rural Gibbon, said he became a 'tractor nut' when he was 6 years old and his Dad let him drive their 9N Ford tractor. Today Vorwerk has 14 Ford tractors plus at least a dozen other rigs of various colors, sizes, and nameplates, all beautifully restored and sporting fresh paint.

This shed full of special tractors is almost a family affair for Vorwerk, and wife Joanne. Son Kevin does the meticulous paint job on each tractor, restored by Wally's mechanical talents. Daughter Tonya prepares special flyers and colorful scrapbooks on their 'tractor adventures'. But dairy farming pays the bills. They're currently milking 150 cows with sons Todd and Brian helping with cows plus about 400 acres of cropland.

However the real fun of tractors is putting them on the road. And that's exactly what happens each year on the 1st Saturday after the 4th of July. Vorwerk wheels out several of his Ford tractors for the Vorwerk Tractorcade, a 'tractor parade' for he, family members and several neighbors who simply like to get on their rigs for a 1-day tractor trip. This year 54 tractors joined in for the July 10th event.

This year's destination was the amazing Schweiss Door factory plus the beautiful new Schweiss equestrian facility. Located midway between Fairfax and Hector and only 13 miles from the Vorwerk farm, the Schweiss complex was a 'home run' for this year's participants. Tractorcade routes are usually within a 25-mile radius and have included Fort Ridgely State Park, the historic Harken Store overlooking the Minnesota River valley northwest of New Ulm, Birch Coulee County Park, the Hutterite Colony south of Stewart, MN, and Bob Star's Diamond Ranch north of Redwood Falls, which also included a scenic run along the Minnesota River bottom area.

"We look for a different adventure each year," related Vorwerk, "and if it's a place we can tour and see what's going on, so much the better. The Schweiss operation was really something. None of us had any idea there were so many building, so many acres under roof. We even toured their office complex and the electrical and painting areas."

But it got even better. Owner Mike Schweiss opened a huge, 60-foot wide hydraulic door on on one end of his manufacturing facilities and also a 60-foot bifold door on the other end. All 54 tractors literally drove right through the factory with workers continuing their job of welding and fabricating bifold and hydraulic doors.

A frequent comment from these farmer drivers: "I've got a Schweiss door and now I've had the chance to see exactly how they're made. Pretty impressive operation. These guys really know how to build a door."

Next stop was the beautiful new equestrian facility located just north of the Schweiss manufacturing location. This amazing facility even includes a professionally designed, 60-acre outdoor riding arena. But get this: the gates to this outdoor arena were opened and 54 drivers were now steering their rigs around the very same grounds used by horse riders.

"We certainly didn't expect such a tremendous stop. It's been two weeks now and the guys are still talking about that event. The Schweiss ladies even put on a horse show for us. That new horse setup is really something," said Vorwerk.

His tractorcade drivers generally bring their own lunch. But this year Wally's wife, Joanne, prepared a lunch for all drivers, which was served at the neatly manicured equestrian arena. When the 54 tractors arrived that morning, the Schweiss ladies had coffee, juice, milk and sweet rolls for the drivers.

Morning coffee is old hat for the Vorwerks. His big farm shop, even air conditioned for summer comfort, is now the country coffee shop. Usually half a dozen neighbors show up each day but Saturday mornings that swells to 20+ guys and gals with Joanne generally providing pastries for everyone. Monday mornings also are 'big' at the Vorwerk coffee counter. Joanne chuckled, "But they come everyday. If they see Wally's pickup sitting out front, then they know Wally is around and that seems to be their invite for coffee."

Health permitting, the Vorwerks intend to keep doing their annual Tractorcade. "It's just so wonderful to have neighbors and friends who enjoy these events," summed up Wally. One of their granddaughters (they now have 15 grandchildren) prepares the special flyer with photos and details of each event. This is sent to all past participants who in turn share the information with others.

Occasionally Joanne drives one of the Ford tractorcade tractors. At the farm she's often involved behind the wheels of a tractor, truck, or pickup. "But during the harvest season it seems like I'm spending more time in the milking parlor so the men can do the harvest," she laughed.

Yes, there are rules for a Tractorcade. The Vorwerk flyer reads:
• Tractors cannot have a cab.
• Tractors must have a slow moving sign.
• Tractors must go at least 12 mph.
• One rider per tractor.
• Drivers must be 16 years old.

Wally chuckled, "You talk with some people about this tractorcade thing and they say who'd want to do that? But the numbers keep growing. It's just something. And you know, it is a page back in history to see some of these older tractors on the road."

Oldest driver this year was 76-year-old Dean Bruns, a Gibbon resident. Youngest was Tyler Vorwerk, 21, Wally's grandson. Vorwerk phone is: 507-834-6944