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Fcvaec Tractor Tour 2012

1K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  MH81 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yesterday was my local club's Tractor tour. We take an approximately 25 mile ride thru the countryside, stopping at an area Nursing Home for Q&A with some of the residents and a coffee/lemonade/cookie/potty break. A second stop at an Independent Used Farm Equipment Sales & Service. After returning, we have our Summer Corn Roast & Election of Officers Meeting.
This year, we held it at a private campground on the site of a very early settlement farmstead. The outbuildings were open to tour and the pictures don't do the size of the barn justice. They used to bring in a team of horses, ride across the scales, TURN AROUND in the barn and go out the same door. It's a 4 story barn, all wooden pin construction, and all the timbers came from the property. The Stone wall for the barn bridge is just hand fit, no mortar. the owner said it's was told to him that the reason they could do it that way, was they only laid the stone when the moon was dark. (Week centered around the new moon) I asked why & was told the old timers knew that they could build things this way and they would last... He had no further information beyond that.

The attendance way down significantly this year due to the pending weather. They were calling for some pretty heavy stuff early afternoon... glad to report they were wrong and only a few times were there sprinkles on the hoods. Probably less than 10 minutes total our of the entire ride. The 6 tractors and 15 riders on the People Wagon had a good time & the Buffet & Corn roast was as usual, wonderful.

OK, enough talk... here are the pics.
 

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#2 ·
Great pics! Looks like a fun ride. Too bad the GT's couldn't make it. Thanks for sharing a great day with us! That barn is awesome!
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the pictures Alan. Seeing the pictures of the gentlemen in the wheel chairs make me wonder what memories were stirred by your visit. It looks like your club had a great tour!
 
#13 ·
Yeah, it's a fun day... Especially with the cookout / tureen diner afterwards.

I think every club would have a great time doing it, for the cost of a few Hotdogs, a few dozen ears of corn, and some bottles of water, the big stuff is covered. Especially if everyone knows to bring something to share and paper plates / utensils.

Some things we've figured out.
No operators without a valid drivers liscence.
Set a minimum speed requirement and adjust the trip length to that.
Try to take less traveled roads. When crossing major roads, a vehicle with 4 ways gives an extra measure of security.
Avoid low visibility intersections.
Give everyone a route map, just in case a separation occurs.
When mapping a trip, if you're going past a neat feature... Stop. Old cemeteries with veterans give the members a chance to pay respects and say thanks. Scenic overviews are a crowd pleaser too.
Have the lead tractor and last tractor with blinking lights.
Every tractor must have an SMV sign at least.
At least one tow rope or chain in the crowd. Also a couple of cell phones.
Remind everyone to obey traffic laws.
Have a half way stop. Water break, leg stretch, potty stop... Whatever you want to call it. We couple this with Q&A at the nursing home. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves.
Put together a waiver & get them signed.
Ask if everyone's tank is full and did everyone check their fluids
HAVE FUN!
 
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