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

Farm Air changes hands and relocates

By Bill Lavender

Changes in the making, as Bill Taylor (left) passes on the Farm Air tradition to Joe (right) and Harley Curless (center) at the Astoria strip during Open House.

It is rare that an Air Tractor dealership changes hands. It cant be done without an approval from Air Tractor, Inc. This requirement became all too apparent to Bill Taylor of Farm Air in Fairfield Illinois. Bill was starting to think about retiring from the business he formed in 1976. Shortly after forming Farm Air, Bill saw a need for Air Tractors in the Midwest, and approached Air Tractor about becoming a dealer. Over thirty successful years later, Bill decided it was time to sell Farm Air with its Air Tractor dealership intact.

Bills long time pilot, Mark Vaughn, had been with Farm Air for 33 years and did not want to buy the company. He simply wanted to keep flying for it. He had started working for Farm Air while in high school, loading planes to pay for flight time. With Mark wanting to keep his role as a pilot, Bill didn't have a management succession to take over the company. He wanted to preserve Farm Air, which meant finding a new owner that could meet both Air Tractors and his approval

Harley Curless formed Curless Flying Service in 1977. The company's first ag-plane was a Pawnee. From there, the company progressed to Ag-Cats and an Ag-Truck until 1983 when it bought its first AT-301 from Farm Air. Numerous Air Tractors later, Curless Flying Service now operates an impressive fleet of ag-aircraft, which includes an AT-301 and, of course, a Pawnee. Harley had always bought his Air Tractors from Bill at Farm Air. This resulted in Harley becoming a longtime, faithful customer and friend. When Bill began thinking about retirement, Curless Flying Service was a natural consideration. This possibility had even been discussed on a few occasions in previous years

Harley Curless in his new office with his oldest of seven grandchildren, nine-year old Kody Wickert.

Bill went to Air Tractor proposing his retirement and the selling of Farm Air to Harley. In March 2009, Air Tractor announced the ownership transition of Farm Air would include the Air Tractor dealership. Bill and Harley had a busy schedule ahead of them; putting everything into place for Farm Air, Inc. to be operational with its new owner by January 2010.

Harley began his expansion plans for Farm Air immediately after the announcement. This meant moving the company from Fairfield, Illinois to Astoria, Illinois, about 200 miles north. One of the first things he did was begin construction on a new hangar to accommodate maintenance and an expansive parts inventory. The 150 X 120 hangar, with its 76-foot Schweiss hydraulic arm door was completed in March 2010. Included in the hangar is a 30 X 120 office and parts department.

New for Farm Air will be an onsite full maintenance shop (excluding heavy engine maintenance). Three FAA licensed mechanics have been hired, with Donny Haley as the lead mechanic and Julian Taylor assisting. Each have been Air Tractor certified to rebuild wings, conduct eddy current inspections and replace wing spar caps. Farm Air is also a certified AmSafe installer for Air Tractor airbags.

About 130 people visited Farm Airs Open House luncheon and spray clinic Wednesday, June 9. Fried catfish and butterfried pork chops were served. Several people had the thrill to take a ride in the new AT-504, flown by Curless Flying Service pilot, Mark Drath. Scott B. conducted Operation Sage aircraft pattern testing.

Further expansion of Farm Air included increasing the parts departments inventory. Todd Henderson, an FAA licensed mechanic was hired as Farm Airs parts manager. Todd came to Farm Air with a parts department background from working with John Deere and Jet Air. Farm Air customers have access to parts 24/7. After hours, Todd has the Farm Air phone forwarded to his cell so that he can respond to an AOG need.

Farm Air, like its sister company Curless Flying Service, doesn't have any one "key" employee. The two companies reflect the dedication of thirty employees during the busy spraying season and at least twelve during the off-season. "Our business is a group effort and members of our staff are very much appreciated," says Harley. "That group effort starts at home.

"Every day of the year our employees are committed to the support of each other and the customers of Farm Air and Curless Flying Service. I have had especially great support and understanding from my wife, Kay, for so many years that I cannot begin to express my gratitude for her commitment and dedication to the industry and me. It is also very humbling for Mr. Leland Snow and Air Tractor to select me to represent the company as a dealer." Although Curless Flying Service and Farm Air are two separate companies, they overlap each other in several ways. Both are based at the Curless Flying Service 3,400-foot sod airstrip. Farm Air will operate an AT-502 in Fairfield with Mark flying it. Curless Flying Service will continue to serve its customers, mostly flying from Astoria, with Harleys son, Joe, managing the flight operations. Bob Blickenstaff assists Joe managing a varied fleet of ag-aircraft. Another base is located in McLean, Illinois with Jack Holland acting as its office manager. Even though Mark Drath is one of Curless Flying Services AT-802 pilots, he is also an FAA licensed mechanic and when possible assists in the Farm Air shop.

Mr. Hubert Cripe was given an honorary ride in the AT-504. Mr. Cripe served in World War II as a B-24 Liberator pilot. He was shot down over Berlin, germany and spent 14 months in a POW camp. With that big smile, he obviously enjoyed his flight. "It was my honor to have Mr. Cripe ride and fly in the AT-504," Harley said. "We are allowed to live in the greatest nation on earth because of all the veterans who risked it all for our freedom. I'm proud to be an American."

"I've always enjoyed being an Air Tractor owner and pilot since I bought my first one from Bill in 1983. Before that, in 1980, I bought my first Ag-Cat from Mike Lee of Earls Flying Service in Steele, Missouri. Its amazing how fate can take a turn. Thirty years later, I sold an AT-802, to Mike Lee," recounts Harley. "Mike was my first outside sale of an Air Tractor. Farm Air has bought a new AT-502 to position in Fairfield for Mark to fly that will be for sale as a used aircraft. Curless Flying Service bought a new AT-504 that will be based in Astoria. It was the first AT-504 to be delivered in the U.S. We plan to use it in our spraying operations and for mentoring new pilots."

Before Farm Airs Open House, Harley had already flown several spraying missions with the AT-504, mostly five GPA fungicide applications on potatoes. With a full 216-gallon load of fuel and 450 gallons of spray, Harley reported the AT-504 performed very much like an AT-502 flying the same airspeeds and handling similarly using the same power settings. He commented Air Tractor had added assist handles for easing entry into the cockpit. He particularly like the adjustable, rotating grip spray handle, like that found on early model aircraft and the excellent visibility from the cockpit. "The only thing negative I can find about the AT-504 is the lack of space under the pilots seat and that's not much of a problem. I'm sure some operators will figure a way to put things next to them in the copilots seat when it is not occupied."

Much of the credit for Farm Airs smooth transition goes to its previous owner, Bill Taylor. "The new hangar here in Astoria wasn't ready in time to move the parts to when the sale of Farm Air was complete. Harley and I worked through that, with parts being shipped from Fairfield and the Air Tractor factory in Olney to customers, until we got moved. I would like to keep the Farm Air name going and I know Harley and his people are very capable of doing this. I plan to "hang around" in Fairfield when I'm not practicing my new pastime, golf. Most likely Ill be attending some of the trade shows with Harley, like I did this year and last, to introduce him to people I know. I guess you could say I'm kind of a consultant for Farm Air," explains Bill.

Like anything worthwhile, it has been a challenging year since Air Tractors approval and completion of opening the doors for business at Farm Air at the Curless airport in Astoria, Illinois. The 30-year plus tradition of Farm Air will continue with enhancements that will benefit Midwest operators, as well as others throughout the country.

The new Farm Air hangar is 150 wide X 120 deep. This includes the 30 x 120 office space and parts department. The 76-foot wide hydraulic door is manufactured by Schweiss.

Story provided by: Bill Lavender, Ag Air Update