Deere event draws tractor fans

GRAND DETOUR – With a pop and a clatter, the two-cylinder tractor fired up and another piece of American history came to life near where John Deere forever altered American agriculture.

The tractor was one of 110 on display Friday through Sunday during Two-Cylinder Days at the John Deere Historic Site. The event, which takes place every 2 years, drew tractor owners from four clubs across Illinois and crowds interested in learning about the farm implements.

“We had more than 500 people stop on Friday,” said Lynn Timmerman, the site manager. “The number hasn’t decreased from last year.”

Attendees talked with tractor owners, including Bruce Johnson of Rochelle, who was showing his 1935 Deere.

Johnson discussed why he became interested in restoring tractors, saying, “I think just part of it is bringing it back to life. They’re easy enough to work on that the average person can do it.”

Another aspect of the two-cylinder tractors’ popularity is their rarity.

Don Gaspardo of Minonk, treasurer of the Illinois Valley Two-Cylinder Club, said, “John Deere quit making two-cylinder tractors in 1960.”

Under a wood shelter, artist Charles Freitag of the Marion and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area, worked on a painting of a tractor and discussed his own farming background with folks who stopped by. In a blacksmith shop, site smith Rick Trahan of Dixon and other smiths worked on various items, such as an ornate kitchen trivet.

But for attendee Brandon Wagner, 11, of Rochelle, the weekend’s main focus was the tractors.

“They actually have the older ones,” he said.