He was the last to drive it – parking it in the pasture in the mid-sixties when it started ‘knocking’ – and this year, former Teague Ag Mechanics teacher, Herb Casey, was the first to drive the restored 1936 model Farmall tractor.
“This was my dad’s tractor,” said Casey. “He bought it in 1949 for $100.”
It wasn’t until his father passed away and they sold the family place in West Texas that Casey brought the tractor home to his workshop.
From 2011 to 2023, he worked on getting the tractor in running shape.
“Took 228 days,” said Casey, working 30 minutes here, and four hours there.
According to this expert mechanic, some parts were easy to find, others not so much. He bought an engine block for the project, and then bought another old tractor to get parts off it.
Casey said that vintage tractor parts are a bit easier to find up North, as they do more farming in that area.
Texas, on the other hand, being mainly a ranching state, meant that old tractors were not as plentiful to scavenge from.
Once the tractor was in running order, then came the beautiful red paint job.
Casey’s wife, Jackie, helped put the finishing touches with the decals. “She’s got a steadier hand than me,” he said.
This beauty is already a prize-winner, as Casey took home First Place in the Mexia Lions Club Fourth of July Car & Tractor Show. He also has plans to exhibit the restored tractor on the Freestone County courthouse square during the annual Show of Wheels set for Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Before his official retirement, Casey spent 27 years teaching Ag and Tractor Mechanics in high school.
Since 2007, Casey has judged restored tractors for the Houston Stock Show & Rodeo.
He remains active in the Young Farmers Association, having served several years as President at the State level.
If you ever have a question about the ins and outs of restoring vintage farm equipment, Herb Casey would be a great person to ask.
He encourages folks to become part of the Bi-Stone Antique Tractor Club, which was co-found by Casey and the late Marles Pace. They meet the second Tuesday of each month at the Farm House restaurant in Mexia beginning at 6:30 p.m.
After spending over 40 years parked in the pasture of the family home, this 1936 model Farmall tractor move to Teague, Texas to eventually be completely restored by Herb Casey. (Courtesy Photo)
While Casey admits his preference for the older model tractors, as the simpler mechanics make it easier for people to work on themselves, he is the first to acknowledge that the newer models certainly provide more comfort with their cushioned seats and air-conditioned cabs.
Still, cranking up the vintage beauty and getting up into that hard iron seat brings back memories that Casey would most likely not trade for the world.
(Photo by Jessica Risken)
