Thursday, November 14, 2013
Illudium Q-35 Space Tractor
Cold outside today, which always makes me look through pictures I took when it was blazing hot, for the psychological warmth.
One of my favorite non-baby-goat sights at every State Fair is this Massey Ferguson 165. While it looks like something that would be used to farm somewhere out on Bobbi's "Hidden Frontier", I am given to understand that the huge tires are to reduce ground pressure so that it doesn't chew up turf.
Stuff like your headline always starts a brain video of that little Martian and his voice.
ReplyDeleteCuriously, there is a frequent commenter on CNBS that has the same voice. When I hear him talk, the brain vids replay him looking through his telescope and talking about his tran-smorgifier.
Love the tractor. Similar "Totems", which are taller with much larger tires, are used in CA to harvest rice.
Some people call me the space tractor, some call me the farm implement of love.
ReplyDeleteSome call me Illudium, cause I rake and till the loam.
In these days of socially responsible muffling, I'm sure it doesn't really have an earth-shattering kaboom. Isn't it lovely, MMM?
ReplyDeleteQuite the mod. Did they say what the person sitting on the rear facing seat is supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteAl_in_Ottawa
Huh, looks like an antecedent to a Terragtor. I wonder if this used for the same purpose?
ReplyDeleteMy Grandpa used a 65 Massey row crop as his utility tractor for as many years as I can remember, and my cousin has it now. I was ever particularly a Massey guy, but always thought the 65 was a nice "Goldilocks" size; small enough to be maneuverable, big enough to get the job done.
Thanks for posting this, always happy memories when something reminds me of Grandpa.
Rob
Looks like a swamp rig out of Louisiana... :-)
ReplyDeleteWith mudders like that, it needs a lift kit.
ReplyDeleteThe big tires might be used on golf courses and such. Fertilizer rigs use similar tires, but they are a whole different animal.
ReplyDeleteI SO want that rubber under my Jeep!
ReplyDeleteJames Dyson made a lot of money putting a huge fat tyre on a wheelbarrow for muddy construction sites.
ReplyDeleteBack in the San Joaquin Valley, I used to hum Christmas tunes in July to make me feel cooler. I learned that "Joy To The World" is not actually a Christmas song at all.
ReplyDeleteTread is a tad bit aggressive for turf
ReplyDeleteI was curious about the arrangement of the front wheel, so I googed for images. The only MF 165 with a single front wheel was from your site. From the size of the axle, I deduce that there is probably support on both sides.
ReplyDelete"doesn't chew up turf"
ReplyDeleteOr, on a real farm, "does not sink completely in the muck."