All but one of the 58 Versatile tractors at Versatile Days in Cayuga, North Dakota, showed up ready to work. That’s because they are still working tractors.
Jim Berndt is restoring an 850 he bought a year ago. He says the tractor works while he restores it. He uses it for discing on his 1,400 acre farm at Cayuga, where he grows corn and soybeans. Berndt says he likes the look and the reliability of the classic machine.
“It works all the time,” he says of the model that was built from 1973 through 1977 and sold for less than $50,000 at the time.
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Berndt’s 850 was on hand at the farm of Mike and Wava Arth for Versatile Days Aug. 21-23, an event that started out with some farmers sharing stories over coffee.
“We wanted to have an event to show our appreciation for these tractors,” say Jesse Arth, Mike’s son. Together they own five Versatiles.
“There was five of us having coffee one day and we had 11 Versatile tractors between us,” says Jesse. “We talked about having an event where we could share some stories and (eat) a few brats.”
That was November of 2007. This year’s spring and resulting late harvest meant August was a perfect time for the event.
Word spread and farmers started calling to ask if they could bring their Versatiles. The event attracted 300 people and 58 tractors representing every series built by the company.
One of the oldest tractors at Versatile Days was a G125 owned by Allan Costain of DeLaimere. Costain says the gas-powered Versatile served as a main field tractor until 2002. He last used it in 2006 to do his spraying.
“It’s still fully operational and ready to go next time we need it,” says Costain. Despite the myth that old tractors are low on hydraulic capacity, Costain says the G125 has no problem handling his 6.5 yard scraper.
When the original 391 Ford V8 broke a piston, Costain re-powered with a Ford premium factory rebuilt engine, which boosted performance.
“The premium engine is bored way out, so it’s a lot more powerful than the original 168 horsepower. It really puts out a lot.
“An implement dealer crawled in once after we re-powered, and he made a few rounds. He told us it would out-pull the new 200 horsepower front wheel assist tractors he was selling.
“Of course it’s a beast to drive. It’s hotter than blazes to sit in that cab with no air conditioning. The engine puts out so much heat.”
Costain is the second owner. The original owner bought the new G125 and a new 145 direct from the factory in 1969. The same day, he and his son drove the two tractors the 160 kilometres home to their farm at Walhalla, N.D.
Costain bought the G125 in 1977. The hour meter has broken twice, so the tractor hours are not known. But he doesn’t care. Despite the tractor’s age, it’s always ready to get back to work when he needs it.
“When you look at old tractors out in the field nowadays, you never see any John Deeres or Internationals or any other four-wheel drive tractors. All you see are old Versatiles.”
Chad Hegseth brought his restored G100 series with the serial number 20. The G series tractor is powered by a Chrysler 318 cubic inch V8 gas engine. The three-speed transmission is coupled to a four-range transfer-case. Over 100 were built and sold in 1966 at a list price under $10,000.
“I was looking for a tractor to restore and found that the neighbour had this one just sitting at the fence line. So I called him and asked if it was for sale. We struck a deal and I began working on it,” says Hegseth, who once worked at a Versatile dealership.
Hegseth takes pride in showing off his showroom-like restoration. His tractor was the only one at the event that is no longer a regular working tractor.
“That is the beauty of these tractors,” says Mike Arth. “They keep on running and when something does go wrong, you can fix it yourself. I have had other tractors that cost a lot of money to keep in the field. These just keep on going.”
That’s why Jesse Arth wanted to have a day of appreciation for his tractors. He says they may have another event in a couple of years. “And I am sure that many of these same tractors will be back.”
Steve Fulton is a field sales manager for Versatile and attended the event.
“The company could not have done something like this. It had to be farmers, grassroots people organizing the event. We are just glad to be here.”
