Tractor Weathervane Rotates In The Wind

Tractor Weathervane Rotates In The Wind FARM HOME Miscellaneous 30-6-44 What better way to draw attention to a tractor museum than to erect a 60-ft. tall, working weathervane with a real tractor perched on top. In Westlock, Alberta, individuals and local businesses volunteered their time and expenses to build the attraction at the local Canadian Tractor Museum. They believe there's nothing else like it in the world. From start to finish, the project took a couple of years. A 1942 Case Model D tractor equipped with scalloped steel wheels, sits on top of a 60-ft. steel tower. It's attached to a 55-ft.-long pointer, and framework that includes a large ball bearing. The "feather" at the back end is 8 ft. high and turns easily in the slightest breeze. The tractor points in the direction of the wind and the weather vane's directional pointers have magnetic north orientation. Materials, equipment and labor were all donated. The steel column was originally a smoke stack. It's bolted to a concrete base, and a 55-ton crane was used to stand it up. A 20-ton crane was used to lift the tractor. The world class tractor museum opened in 2004 and houses about 75 fully restored vintage tractors. They're rotated on a yearly basis from a store of more than 200 units. The museum is open the long weekend in May until the September long weekend, and any other time by appointment. Stop in and see the displays of unusual, rare and just plain interesting vintage tractors. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Canadian Tractor Museum, B5414, Westlock, Alberta, Canada T7P 2P5 (ph 780 349-3353, 780 349-3814, or 780 349-5178; revmcfarlane@shaw.ca).

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