Letters: Tracking down a long-lost Twin City tractor

Enlarge Image Image Gallery The 60-90 Twin City tractor

On Sept. 3, 2010, my family and I had the pleasure of going to Rollag, Minn., to see my mother’s family’s old 60-90 Twin City tractor, now owned by Mark Pederson.

The Twin City was purchased new by my mother’s family in 1919. My uncle told me they paid about $6,000 ($75,000 today) for it, which was a small fortune back then. They used the tractor for field work and road building. The Twin City easily pulled 14-bottom plows, quite a feat in those days. The last time I saw the tractor run was in about 1954. The family farm was sold in 1971 and the big Twin was sold then to Mark’s uncle, who restored it.

Through recent Internet searches, I finally found out where the tractor was located and I contacted Mark, who was kind enough to give me the chance to drive it. What a thrill!

In doing research on the Twin City, I discovered that this model was the biggest gas engine tractor made at that time. And to my knowledge, there are only two Twin City 60-90 tractors still in existence.

It was a huge thrill to not only see my family’s Twin City tractor after almost 40 years, but also to drive it and experience its power. I want to express my sincere thanks to Mark Pederson for this opportunity.

Mike Olson, 1014 4th Ave. North, Apt.1, Estherville, IA 5133