The Tractor Saga of "Black Cat"


Several months had passed since the inagural run of Black Cat at the 1st Annual Tractor Pull & Machine Show here in Page. Jim Kitson and myself were working on another project in his shop when he told me that Red, president of the Color Country Antique Machine Association, had informed him that there was going to be one more tractor pull before the end of the year. This was very exciting news for me, as the next show I was contemplating would have been as far away as May. Now there was a show looming in mid Novemeber, and Black Cat had some work to get done.
Her spark plugs were terribly fouled, and she was back to running on three cylinders and burning oil bad. In addition, new tires had finally arrived, ready to be put on. Not much time remained, but we pulled the plugs, cleaned them up, got spares ready, and she was back to running right. Well, as right as could be expected. This was going to be Black Cat's last show before a total rebuild over the winter. Next we tackled the tires - a multi day job! In the end though, the triple-rib tires on the front and the 8.25x24s on the rear went on (with some encouragement and cursing). Boy do they look sharp! The steering was also fixed by welding the arm to the axle spindle - no more wobble. It's not original, but it works just fine. A new sign for the show, and some quick mods to my trailer, and we were ready to roll.
I was slightly nervous trailering Black Cat 130 miles on a single-axle trailer with no brakes, but I played it safe and cautious, and of course no harm came to me, my truck, or my tractor. We were pulling in Washington, Utah this time.


Here I am, at the end of my pull with a record-setting 62'! Those new tires, with the air let out, really made the difference! I'm excited to see what she'll do after we overhaul her motor this winter - she was still burning oil pretty bad, and I think the governor needs its keyway adjusted.


There was a pretty good turnout for the show, even though it was a "fun" pull, not for points in the standings.


My new sign on Black Cat, with me helping officiate in the background.


Extremes in size - what more can be said?

To read more about the Saga of Black Cat, click back to the main page.

A special thanks to Jim and Judy Kitson, Gene Tucker, "Pops", and all the excellent folks at the Farmall Cub Message Board! It would still be frozen up in my garage if it wasn't for all you guys and gals!