Cockshutt Tractors Key to Woman’s Heart

By Bill Vossler
Published on November 2, 2010
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Molly Bradley with two of her favorite Cockshutt tractors: a 1952 Model 20 (left) and a 1950 Cockshutt 40.
Molly Bradley with two of her favorite Cockshutt tractors: a 1952 Model 20 (left) and a 1950 Cockshutt 40.
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Rear view of Molly’s 1952 Cockshutt 20.
Rear view of Molly’s 1952 Cockshutt 20.
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Molly’s 1952 Cockshutt 20 and 1950 Cockshutt 40, nicely set off by a CO-OP E3. Molly enjoys the chance to spend time with fellow enthusiasts at shows and caravans. “Cockshutt people are so interesting to talk to,” she says. “Every show is like a big family reunion. I always have fun.”
Molly’s 1952 Cockshutt 20 and 1950 Cockshutt 40, nicely set off by a CO-OP E3. Molly enjoys the chance to spend time with fellow enthusiasts at shows and caravans. “Cockshutt people are so interesting to talk to,” she says. “Every show is like a big family reunion. I always have fun.”
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This 1952 Cockshutt 20 was mostly restored when Merle Nordeen gave it to Molly.
This 1952 Cockshutt 20 was mostly restored when Merle Nordeen gave it to Molly.
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Molly’s 1950 Cockshutt 40. In a role reversal, Molly says she’s the one who has to drag guys out to the garage to work on the tractors – not the other way around.  
Molly’s 1950 Cockshutt 40. In a role reversal, Molly says she’s the one who has to drag guys out to the garage to work on the tractors – not the other way around.  
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Merle Nordeen’s 1948 Cockshutt 30, now Molly’s and housed in her garage.
Merle Nordeen’s 1948 Cockshutt 30, now Molly’s and housed in her garage.
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One of Merle Nordeen’s tractors, a 1952 Cockshutt 30 as found in a field.
One of Merle Nordeen’s tractors, a 1952 Cockshutt 30 as found in a field.
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With help from friends, Molly worked on the engine of her 1950 Cockshutt 40.
With help from friends, Molly worked on the engine of her 1950 Cockshutt 40.
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Merle “Merz” Nordeen and Molly driving a 1952 Model 20 when she was about 8 years old.
Merle “Merz” Nordeen and Molly driving a 1952 Model 20 when she was about 8 years old.
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Merle Nordeen, Molly Bradley, and Molly’s grandmother Kay Norheim.
Merle Nordeen, Molly Bradley, and Molly’s grandmother Kay Norheim.

When Molly Bradley was 6 months old, she began attending tractor shows with her grandmother, Kay Norheim, and Merle Nordeen. To young Molly, Merle became “Merz,” and together they attended six tractor shows a year until his death in 2009 – so it’s no surprise that the 19-year-old’s favorite hobby is old iron. Cockshutt tractors, in particular.

In fact, to show the world her love of Cockshutt tractors, Molly had her high school graduation pictures taken with her 1952 Cockshutt 20. “The photographer was confused as to why I was taking my pictures with my tractor,” she says. “For senior pictures we were told to put what you liked most in the picture with you. Some people put in basketballs, footballs or musical instruments. I put in the Cockshutt 20.

“When I was 3 years old,” Molly recalls, “Merz taught me to steer his Cockshutt 20 and Cockshutt Golden Arrow and ride with him during parades. It was fun for me then and it still is now, so I’m really excited for tractor shows when that time of year comes around.”

Cockshutt all the way

Merle used a Cockshutt 30 on his farm, but after he sold the tractor, he must have regretted it – because six years later, when he spotted a Cockshutt at a threshing show, he decided he wanted to start collecting. Soon after, he heard of a pair of Cockshutt 20 tractors for sale at an auction and bought both of them. “That was the start of his Cockshutt fever,” Molly says. “Once you have one, you need more.”

Eventually his collection included 14 Cockshutt tractors: two Model 20’s, five Model 30’s, a Golden Arrow, three Model 40’s, a Golden Eagle and a 50. Other Cockshutt machinery in his collection included a Cockshutt 422 combine, a mower, cultivator and plow.

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