The Nostalgia of Plowing

"Dad went back to the barn and Mom said, 'Where is David?' Dad said, 'He is plowing.' From that night on, I plowed a lot of evenings. I guess that is how it all got started."

Several years later, David was given a Case 2 14-inch plow that had been retired by a neighbor. David restored it and sometimes plows with it even today.

Plows were put on the back-burner until, in 1992, a friend of David's hosted a plowing day in Waumendee, Wis. "A few people started collecting tractors about that time, including myself. I had a couple of old tractors and that Case plow.

"I borrowed a trailer and decided to participate. It was like being eight years old again, but it was much better, since I was strong enough to steer the tractor without straining myself, and it was my tractor and plow.

"There were 50 to 80 people as I dropped that plow into the ground. I opened the throttle and the tractor came to life. I saw 50 to 80 smiles at the same time," he recollects.

David says that what makes his hobby fun is that there is always room for more. He's currently working on getting six or seven plows which the owners don't know whether they want to sell or not.

"One says he's scared that they might sell too cheap, but will not put a price tag on his plow. I have some people looking for a John Deere number five or six for me."

David concludes that, if you're looking for a satisfying hobby, try plowing. "Just start with a tractor, buy or borrow a plow and try it out," he says, going on to invite others to join him. "If you are not sure about this, come tag along with me to one of the plowing days and I will show you a good time."

David Wolfe welcomes all calls about plows. He can be reached by phone at (608) 323-3087.

Gary Van Hoozer is a long-time contributor to Farm Collector and the former publisher of Farm Antiques News. You can call him in Tarkio, Mo., at (660) 736-4528.