Historic Hood River
Harvest Time, 1947
9-17-2012
Notes
Here’s another nice shot for harvest time. It was September 15th, 1947, and this family had a little mechanical help getting the fruit crates onto the truck. Can anyone explain why the tractor has such unusual fenders? It’s hard to believe this tractor moved fast enough to need streamlining.
Jim Gray
The Fenders were not for streamlining, but instead a design to allow the branches on the fruit trees to flow over them and not break branches, The tractors at that time were not low profile models like today, of course the fenders took a real beating and most did not survive for long.
l.e.
I think the tractor is stationary and provides power to the conveyor.
I’m not sure why the cover unless it protects a belt.
charlott
Huh……………I have never seen one of these tractors before. It is a much bigger tractor than most farmers had. I am also inclined to think this may have been something used stationary It would have been an awfully big thing to take down through an orchard. I do know that who ever this farmer was he was a member of Apple Growers Assn. as those are AGA lugs. Also note that apparently they are bringing their fruit in on a drag sled, Interesting, as by then most farmers had orchard wagons.
Fruit crates????????????
Arthur
The tractor definitely is not providing power. The next frame shows the apparatus without the tractor, and the flywheel is turning. It looks like an electric motor is powering it, though it is covered with a towel in the frame.
The truck has a logo with "Collins" and "Hood River" on it before it runs out of the frame.
l.e.
Must be exactly what Jim said.
When they are done with the photo, I guess the tractor will pull out, back up to the sled, run the chain through the cables and take off to get another load.
Looks like they dropped a pear.
Scott Cook
Arthur, testing to see if this comment goes through. If so, then I like the three spam comments…those spammers are always SO positive!! hahahaha
Pavel Ammon
It’s an 04 or 06 McCormick Deering.