Big Fun at a Small Tractor Show

By Larry Scheckel
Published on March 8, 2016
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John Walleser with his Massey-Harris Pony diesel, the “pride and joy” of his collection.
John Walleser with his Massey-Harris Pony diesel, the “pride and joy” of his collection.
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Dan Korn on his 1948 Corbitt, one of eight known to exist. The tractor’s 4-cylinder LeRoi engine is rated at 48 hp on the belt.
Dan Korn on his 1948 Corbitt, one of eight known to exist. The tractor’s 4-cylinder LeRoi engine is rated at 48 hp on the belt.
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Big Masseys on parade: a MH 444 followed by three 555s.
Big Masseys on parade: a MH 444 followed by three 555s.
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Loren Olson with his 1/8-scale model of a 1935 John Deere threshing machine and John Deere tractor.
Loren Olson with his 1/8-scale model of a 1935 John Deere threshing machine and John Deere tractor.
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A 1934 Massey-Harris GP owned by John Walleser.
A 1934 Massey-Harris GP owned by John Walleser.
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Kyle Semke (left), president of the Coulee Antique Engine Club, and Vice President Dan Klinkner.
Kyle Semke (left), president of the Coulee Antique Engine Club, and Vice President Dan Klinkner.
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Jake Thompson with the club’s Fairbanks-Morse 2-cylinder diesel engine. A building was constructed around this 17-ton machine.
Jake Thompson with the club’s Fairbanks-Morse 2-cylinder diesel engine. A building was constructed around this 17-ton machine.
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Weigh-in for the antique tractor pull. More than 170 tractors were entered in the Friday night pull.
Weigh-in for the antique tractor pull. More than 170 tractors were entered in the Friday night pull.
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Brad Grim proudly shows off his early John Deere Model D in the Sunday parade.
Brad Grim proudly shows off his early John Deere Model D in the Sunday parade.
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This 1929 Wallis is a forerunner of the Massey-Harris line.
This 1929 Wallis is a forerunner of the Massey-Harris line.
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The Coulee Antique Engine Club occupies 40 acres on a Vernon County hilltop. Note the green-roofed exhibit building. The pulling track is at right.
The Coulee Antique Engine Club occupies 40 acres on a Vernon County hilltop. Note the green-roofed exhibit building. The pulling track is at right.
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Threshing wheat grown on the Coulee Antique Engine Club grounds with a Case 22-37 thresher powered by a Farmall Super MTA.
Threshing wheat grown on the Coulee Antique Engine Club grounds with a Case 22-37 thresher powered by a Farmall Super MTA.
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Bill Korn and his son, Josh, demonstrate the M&W dynamometer twice daily.
Bill Korn and his son, Josh, demonstrate the M&W dynamometer twice daily.

Southern Wisconsin is home to several premium antique tractor shows, including the Badger Steam & Gas Show, Baraboo, and the Rock River Thresheree, Edgerton. But it’s also home to at least one outstanding small show. The Coulee Antique Engine Club, based at show grounds a few miles north of Westby in Vernon, Wisconsin, offers a fine all-volunteer show.

Show is a family affair

Held the final weekend of July in 2015, the three-day show – the club’s 44th annual show – is truly a family affair. The Kyle Semke family is in charge of the threshing. Kyle is club president. The Arnie and Linda Klinkner family have taken on major duties. Their son, Dan, is vice president and runs the food stand. Arnie helps manage the office, and Linda directs the first aid and first responders, if needed. Norbert Burch is in charge of the gate, taking in $5 for a button, good for the entire three-day show. Jerry Marks, Jerry Johnson and Norbert prepare the grounds for the show.

In addition to working in the kitchen, Linda also presides over of the sawdust pile, a popular attraction for children. “I throw in about $70 of coins during the show,” she says. “I scatter some in every two hours or so. The kids mine the sawdust pile for coins and it really keeps them busy.” The club owns a bounce house and volunteers bring in slides and swing sets, sand boxes, pedal tractors and puzzles.

John Wangen takes care of gas engines, signage, benches and the club headquarters in the La Crosse Plow building. His son, Anthony Wangen, is responsible for the tractor pull, camping, the bounce house and grounds.

Strong membership base

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