3 minute read

Randall Brothers and Earthquake

from Half Century of Progress 2021

from Half Century of Progress 2021, page 215

Draft Horses

By Cindy Ladage Earthquake is the massive tractor built by Rite Manufacturing that sports a V12 Detroit engine and stands a whopping 18 feet wide and 14 feet high. This year the Randall Brothers again made its visit to the Half Century of Progress. Back in 2013, when Earthquake first came to the Half Century of Progress it was the featured tractor for this show. The late Darius Harms shared a bit of information about the tractor. “Earthquake was built by Rite Manufacturing of Great Falls, Montana. They built 38 tractors. They started out redoing Wagner tractors switching them, and then they built Rite tractors from 300 to 750 horsepower.”

Earthquake was purchased by the Randall Brothers in 2012. They brought Earthquake to Rantoul all the way from Holgate, Ohio, which is in the northwest portion of the state. Lee Randall explained a bit about them. He said, “We are farmers and deal in used machinery. All three boys stayed on the farm, and we are in business together.”

About the Half Century of Progress he said, “It is the best four finest days of farming!”

Bringing Earthquake to the Half Century has become a tradition, but there is nothing routine about moving a piece of equipment this big. “He is kind of heavy,” Lee Randall said, “and you have to get the permits and take the duals off before transporting him.”

Getting Earthquake ready to roll is time consuming. Lee said, “Driving is about five hours, but it also takes two hours to take duals off, then add 4-6 hours to put the duals back on.” Lee added, “Then, it also takes 800 gallons of fuel.”

While Lee said that Big Bud is the biggest tractor made, he added that Earthquake is 2 nd largest.

“When he was new, they didn’t have all the tools for all that power. The hydraulic demands get so big, they didn’t’ have the hydraulic power they have today. He was made in a world when things were simple. Today’s lighting would really help him working at night. I try to keep him original.”

For the Randalls, it is a joy to bring the brute power of Earthquake to the Half Century of Progress. When asked what it is that pulls them back to each show, Lee Randall said, “I like everything about the Half Century of Progress. There isn’t a negative thing.

Every piece everyone brings is dear to their heart. Whether grandpa bought it new, or it is a horse drawn piece of equipment is very dear. You couldn’t have a better place for this than Rantoul with all those runways and airstrips. Even if you get a big rain, you can still have the show with no problem.”

As for Earthquake, he is ready to come back in 2023.

“We took him home, and he needs a little paint and a few details. We will bring him back in a few years. He has a quiet cab, and he handles good.

”If he had any wish he said, “I just wish they had it every year!”