July 5, 2000
Tractors are more than mere machinery
By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
When it comes to tractors, Ed Fisher could be accused of going through a second childhood. The truth, however, is he never outgrew the first one.
Over the past 12 years, the Traverse City resident has packed his workshop -along with good natured friends' pole barns - with 22 International Harvester tractors. Along with the tractors, Fisher has a plethora of swap meet parts and enough bolt bins to start his own hardware store. All this despite the fact there is not one field to plow at his 3 1/2 acre East Silver Lake Road residency.
Given the obvious, why would this Traverse City Fire Department Captain collect tractors?
"My roots are in farming. Both my grandparents owned farms so I grew up on tractors," said Fisher, whose collection includes one non International: a 1952 Ford tractor which belonged to his grandfather.
While always attracted to tractors, Fisher became brand loyal after he purchased an old International to mow his yard. Impressed with the tractor's performance, he began purchasing different models. Today, his collection consists of 22 tractors divided into two categories: "running and not running."
Ranging in years from a 1941 Model H to a 1975 International Cub Cadet, some of the tractors show their age with oxidized red paint and slight hints of rust. While Fisher stores his collection indoors, he isn't afraid of getting his tractors dirty. Instead, he uses them to cut grass, rotary broom sweep driveways, even level a friend's volleyball court.
"I have very few trailer queens," Fisher noted. One of the exceptions being a 1953 Farmall Super M complete with chrome lug nuts and smoke stack that is his "pride and joy."
Other highlights in Fisher's collection include a 1941 Model H, a 1951 Super A, a 1954 Super H, which still has the original front tires, and a 1946 Cultivision, which remains a sentimental favorite.
"My grandfather had a tractor identical to it that I used to cultivate with as a young boy," said Fisher, who bought his Cultivision 12 years ago from a man in Traverse City. "Just the sound of it takes me back to the good old days."
Perhaps the strangest tractor in Fisher's stable is a 1968 International Cub Cadet. After all, unless you're Tim Taylor, few garden tractors sport a Subaru engine, dual exhaust and a Honda Prelude steering gear. Originally designed by a close friend, the tractor was given to Fisher and his son, Mitch, who together made some mechanical modifications.
With its drag racing wheel stance, rumbling engine and 50s-esque dice valve stem caps, this is one tractor that turns a lot of heads. Which isn't easy at a tractor Mecca like the Old Engine Show in Buckley.
"With straight pipes and dual exhaust it gets attention. People stop Mitch and ask him to rev it up," said Fisher, who noted that the tractor's garden variety 12 horsepower is now rated at 52 galloping horses.
Subaru engines and rack and pinion steering aside, Fisher takes his tractor collecting seriously. He is buying more than mere machinery; he is purchasing a piece of personal history. Often, as in the case of his 1946 BN tractor, Fisher's involvement stretches beyond monetarily - it becomes emotional.
Fisher purchased the single front tire tractor after watching and waiting for 10 years. The International belonged to a family down the street who used it to cultivate their garden. Fifteen years ago, the father's tractor was restored by his sons, but since there was no inside storage, it sat out all four seasons. When the man passed away, the tractor fell silent for several years.
"It was parked outside near the kitchen window so when she was doing dishes she could look at that tractor and see her husband. It was so special that she allowed me to buy it," said Fisher, who utilized the tractor's design to add a seat for his son so they could ride together. "Now that I have two seats, I plan on driving it back to her house so I can take her for a ride."
Regarding his own family, Fisher said those close to him understand this thing for tractors. "If I find myself daydreaming (tractors) is what I'm thinking about ... My daughter has a term for it - she calls it 'obsessive compulsive,'" Fisher wryly noted.
Overall, family and friends realize that tractors are just a way of life for Fisher.
"Ever since I was old enough to walk I've loved tractors. When I went to another farm with my dad or grandfather, I'd get out of the car and take off running to the barn and climb right on the tractor."