What a wonderful phrasing: " We collect aggressivly..."
wiht compliments, Gerhard

On Thu, 20 Jun 1996, Awald, John AgHerMus wrote:

> To C. L. Dill and others asking about tractor restorations:
>
> Agricultural equipment care and feeding, it's our job.
>
> Our museum is fortunate to have a large collection of farm tractor and
> machinery items primarily dating from 1910 to 1950 (earlier and later years
> are available but not as inclusive).  This collection is cataloged on a
> computer database and is available (by photocopy) to those needing
> information about the original specifications, colors, etc of tractors and
> machinery.  We charge for this service -- those needing details on costs
> please contact me off list. (We don't make money at this but hope to recoupe
> SOME of the costs)
>
> Our in-house restorations rely heavily on out archive and have been more
> historically accurate because we are able to use the 1930 service manual
> rather than the generic manual available from commercial sources.  We used
> to use area implement dealers for service -- it's kind of like taking your
> 1926 Hupmobile to a automobile dealer for service -- maybe you will be
> lucky...
>
> REMEMBER NOT ALL TRACTORS **SHOULD** BE RESTORED.  Our restorations
> consider the historic fabric of the tractor -- if it is original paint
> effected only by time, sun, wind, rain -- we usually leave it alone.  Both
> restored and unrestored are exhibited.  We do try to have every piece of
> machinery in oour collection in running condition -- years from now it will
> be even more difficult to get parts !!!  We do use our tractors -- but only
> for light duty, no tractor pulls.  We believe that they were designed to run
> and sitting in one place for a very long time has to be hard on them.
>
> Soon you will be able to visit us on the WWW with photos of some of our
> restored/unrestored pride and joys.  More on this later.
>
> For further information on the Beckman Archive contact us at:
>
>      John Awald, Director       <[log in to unmask]>
>      Carrie Lavarnway, Curator  <[log in to unmask]>
>      Ag Museum general info     <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Snail:   State Agricultural Heritage Museum
>          South Dakota State University
>          Box 2207C
>          Brookings, SD  57007-0999
>
> Phone:   605/688-6226
> FAX:     605/688-6303
>
> We are agressively collection agricultural literature.  If your museum has
> service manuals, sales brochures, etc contact us off list with the details.
>
> John Awald
> [log in to unmask]
>