I recently had the opportunity to read James Boblenz’s article
on the 1920 Yuba Ball Tread tractor (Farm Collector,
January 2007, page 32) owned by Tom Burer. I have met Tom at shows
over the years and he is quite the gentleman. Since I exhibited in
the same tent with the Yuba, I wanted to share some information,
just for a point of reference.
The “pair of Love orchard tractors” is not quite correct. What
was on display was Paul Zoschke’s 1954 Love orchard tractor (one of
the last five Love tractors to be produced in the Eau Claire,
Mich., factory) and my 1950 Love row crop.
Paul and I have been friends for many years and have spent
considerable time researching the Love tractor – Paul is by far the
expert. While the Love orchard is a fairly uncommon tractor, the
row crop version is quite rare as our research shows production
(1947-1954) was quite limited. It is estimated less than 100 were
produced. Few people know the row crop model exists and it takes
some experience to tell the difference between the two models.
In the top photo you can notice the Love row crop clearance
difference. The row crop model has approximately 8 inches greater
clearance than the orchard model. Also, the row crop model was the
first to have the adjustable front axle. Paul’s 1954 Love orchard
(right) has an adjustable front axle, and we can only guess the
last tractors produced were assembled with remaining parts in the
plant.
Another difference: Most of the Love row crop models were
produced with the vertical exhaust system. This was supposedly one
of the selling features to enhance the market for the row crop
along with the live 3-point rear lift, competing with the Farmall H
and M models, and the John Deere A and G models, but proved
unsuccessful. Some row crop models were produced with low, rear
exhaust, utilizing the engine manufacturer’s automotive manifold
from Chrysler and Ford – I have only found two.
The most noticeable difference is the position of the operator’s
seat. The orchard seat placed the operator very low (and
uncomfortably) behind the dash assembly, while the row crop model
placed the operator much higher on a deluxe spring-type seat. While
both seats are located to the right of the centerline of the
tractor, it is much more pronounced on the row crop version.
With less than a dozen Love row crop models known, I hope
readers find this information useful. I would like to find some
other Love row crop owners for my continued research. Please feel
free to contact me if anyone has any questions.
– Richard Mowery
P.O. Box 475
Eaton, OH 45320
e-mail: p55_love@yahoo.com
