Power for the Tractor Pull

By Oscar H. Will Iii
Published on August 1, 2007
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Chuck Steinmetz really likes the Super 88’s pulling power.
Chuck Steinmetz really likes the Super 88’s pulling power.
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An Oliver 70 such as this was part of the working fleet when Chuck and Fran took over the Steinmetz family farm in 1974.
An Oliver 70 such as this was part of the working fleet when Chuck and Fran took over the Steinmetz family farm in 1974.
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Chuck spent more hours than he cares to recall in the seat of this AC Model U. It served as his “office” for many years immediately after high school.
Chuck spent more hours than he cares to recall in the seat of this AC Model U. It served as his “office” for many years immediately after high school.
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Family friend Judy Thompson, Boise, Idaho, created this diorama as a gift. She created the Oliver Super 88 in the foreground with creek cobbles. The image in the background shows Chuck pulling with the Super 88 from which the rock model was fashioned.
Family friend Judy Thompson, Boise, Idaho, created this diorama as a gift. She created the Oliver Super 88 in the foreground with creek cobbles. The image in the background shows Chuck pulling with the Super 88 from which the rock model was fashioned.
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This 1952 Ford Model 8N was the first tractor Chuck and Fran bought after taking over the farm. The tractor was particularly appealing because of its hydraulic 3-point hitch.
This 1952 Ford Model 8N was the first tractor Chuck and Fran bought after taking over the farm. The tractor was particularly appealing because of its hydraulic 3-point hitch.
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The very first Farmall H Chuck’s dad ever owned. This tractor never left the farm, but thanks to Chuck and Fran’s handiwork, it looks even better today than it did the day it arrived.
The very first Farmall H Chuck’s dad ever owned. This tractor never left the farm, but thanks to Chuck and Fran’s handiwork, it looks even better today than it did the day it arrived.
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This 1935 Allis-Chalmers Model U was one of the first tractors delivered to Jerome County, Idaho, with factory-installed pneumatic tires. Chuck’s employer was its original owner.
This 1935 Allis-Chalmers Model U was one of the first tractors delivered to Jerome County, Idaho, with factory-installed pneumatic tires. Chuck’s employer was its original owner.
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Chuck found this 1952 Oliver 88 Diesel in North Dakota. The tractor ran poorly when he obtained it so it got a turn in the restoration shop. Although the decals identify the tractor as an 88, the engine is really a Super 88.
Chuck found this 1952 Oliver 88 Diesel in North Dakota. The tractor ran poorly when he obtained it so it got a turn in the restoration shop. Although the decals identify the tractor as an 88, the engine is really a Super 88.
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Chuck bought this gasoline-fueled Super 88 with what appeared to be fairly significant transmission problems. As it turned out, only minor adjustment to the high-low-range transmission shifter rails was needed to make it work. This is one of Chuck’s favorite pulling tractors.
Chuck bought this gasoline-fueled Super 88 with what appeared to be fairly significant transmission problems. As it turned out, only minor adjustment to the high-low-range transmission shifter rails was needed to make it work. This is one of Chuck’s favorite pulling tractors.
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The Steinmetz family used small spreaders such as this ground-driven Oliver Superior model to fertilize with their ample supply of horse manure. Although most of his agricultural artifacts are motorized, Chuck has a few memorable pull-type pieces.
The Steinmetz family used small spreaders such as this ground-driven Oliver Superior model to fertilize with their ample supply of horse manure. Although most of his agricultural artifacts are motorized, Chuck has a few memorable pull-type pieces.
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Whether it’s potatoes, alfalfa or edible beans, wheel-line irrigation systems such as this continue to ensure the growing success of farms in Idaho’s Magic Valley.
Whether it’s potatoes, alfalfa or edible beans, wheel-line irrigation systems such as this continue to ensure the growing success of farms in Idaho’s Magic Valley.
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Chuck restored this 1946 Allis-Chalmers Model C. It once belonged to his grandfather, George Steinmetz Sr.
Chuck restored this 1946 Allis-Chalmers Model C. It once belonged to his grandfather, George Steinmetz Sr.

Although his initiation to agriculture was powered with a multi-horse hitch, retired Eden, Idaho, farmer Charles Steinmetz now favors Farmalls and other petroleum-powered pullers over the four-legged kind. “When I was a kid in the 1930s, our farm was still entirely powered with horses,” Chuck explains. “We raised Belgians and I started driving teams before I was 10 years old.” Although the Steinmetz family was known for its well-trained teams and their working stallion, Chuck says tractors and other then-modern machinery gave him more than a gentle tug.

“I couldn’t wait to try a tractor,” Chuck says of his early engine-powered excitement. “I liked the way they looked, the way they sounded and I was impressed with the work they could do.” Chuck’s dad, George Steinmetz Jr., relented in the late 1940s and purchased his first Farmall H used. “It was a 1941 model,” Chuck says, wiping fine white Idaho dust from the hood of one of his dad’s tractors. “He liked the H enough that he bought an Oliver 70 for the heavier field work in 1947.” However, the horses weren’t put out to pasture until the mid-1950s. Chuck’s dad preferred to cultivate the more tender crops with a team.

Follow the family history

Chuck’s paternal grandparents emigrated from Russia and Germany at the turn of the last century. They initially settled in Kansas, but moved to Montana, Wyoming and elsewhere before following the railroad west to Idaho. “They arrived in Eden in about 1920,” Chuck explains. “The Milner dam and irrigation project was completed by then, which completely transformed the Snake River valley from a desert to some very productive land.” Although the territory was rough when they arrived, Chuck’s grandfather, George Steinmetz Sr., obtained a lovely, cleared 80-acre parcel that was ready to work.

“My grandfather grew alfalfa, beans, barley and potatoes for the most part,” Chuck recalls. “My dad pretty much did the same thing.” The Snake River’s Magic Valley, as this area has come to be known, is now famous for malt barley production, often under contract with a huge brewing company. The area also makes significant contribution to edible bean, potato and other specialty crop production.

Some of Chuck’s earliest recollections on the farm involve the hard work and workhorse handling associated with potato harvesting. “When I was in grade school, they dug and sacked potatoes during the day,” Chuck explains. “Nights after school were spent bucking those sacks to the cellar.”

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