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Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter
Still mad about farm machinery John Hall’s first day at school in 1954 was delayed by a special arrival. The tractor-mad four-year-old refused to go to school because he wanted to see his father’s new Caterpillar D2 in action on the family farm at Otaio. The Cat is still running, thanks to John’s passion for vintage farm machinery and will be one of several old track tractors at the Wheat and Wheels Rally on April 13-14.
diesel-powered tractor, imported from America through Gough Gough and Hamer in Timaru, cost around 1900 pounds and was to become a reliable workhorse on the Hall family’s rolling farmland. It has a rear-mounted diesel tank and the serial number 13904; it was one of about 18,000 Caterpillar D2s ever made. Its 48 hp might not be huge, but it was surprisingly tough and pulled some big loads.
It is shaping as a big affair, with over The Cat has stayed in the Hall family 500 old tractors and farm implements, and 23 huge pivot tractors featuring the since its arrival in the country nearly 60 most modern technology available. years ago. John retrieved it five years ago, after it had had spent 20 years People will be able to see the two side by side, and marvel about the advances in near retirement. He has repaired and restored it painstakingly, and still in farm machinery. sometimes uses it on his property – the John is one of the organisers of the weather has to be sunny though, and rally, which will celebrate the Mid time not pressing. Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club’s John says the Cat is a delight to drive 30th anniversary. He has a collection and the operator uses levers to steer. It of old tractors and ploughs, some is noisy though and dusty as there is no restored, some in the process, at his protection for the driver. lifestyle block on Wakanui Road.
Photo linda clarke 250313-lc015
John Hall’s vintage Caterpillar D2 diesel powered tractor has been painstakingly restored.
His passion for farm machinery began as a small boy and he remembers his father pulling back the railway cover on the bright yellow Cat. The
He remembers first driving it as a 12-year-old, working with his father in the fields and says it has clocked up about 7000 hours since then.
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