A journey through time on restored tractors

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This article was published 12/07/2024 (494 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FORREST — For Mark Phillips, a conductor and engineer with CPKC Railway, the sound of a tractor engine brings back memories and fills him with pride.

As he prepares to showcase his carefully restored 1955 U-Diesel and 1963 G 706 tractors, Phillips reflects on a journey that bridges past and present, honouring family heritage with every ride.

Phillips said his love for tractors began in childhood when he first attended the Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede with his grandparents.

“I think I was about four or five years old the first time I went, and that was over 30 years ago,” he told the Sun on Wednesday. “It used to be the highlight of my summer. I always looked forward to it every year.”

As this year’s event kicks off on July 25 in Austin, Phillips is ready to showcase two meticulously restored tractors that hold a special place in his heart.

“History comes alive at one of Manitoba’s most dynamic family festivals, in Austin,” Phillips says with a smile. “The Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion & Stampede is an outstanding celebration of Manitoba’s agricultural roots and pioneering spirit. It’s about history, it’s about community, it’s about family. And it’s about fun.”

This deep-rooted passion is evident in Phillips’ care and effort in restoring the tractors.

“The 1955 U-Diesel came to our farm either new or fairly new. My grandpa bought it,” he said. “Since then, it had two other owners. I was able to get it back around 2019, and it took about two years to restore it. I finished the restoration in the winter of 2021.”

The 1963 G706 is another gem in Phillips’ collection, which spent most of its life on a farm about nine miles away.

“I got it after the owners retired from farming. It’s one of 821 factory front-wheel-assist tractors, and you hardly see the model again,” he explained. “It’s neat to have something more on the rare side.”

Reviving these tractors, he said, has been a labour of love, involving countless hours of bodywork, painting and mechanical repairs, adding he had to set up a makeshift paint booth in his garage to ensure the tractors looked as good as new.

“A neighbour helped with the mechanical work, which was very handy and taught me a lot,” he added.

For Phillips, restoring these tractors is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to keep his family’s history alive.

“It means a lot. It’s like saving a part of our family history and reviving it,” he said. “Especially when they’re destined for the scrapyard, not running, and just sitting there. You can bring them back, shine them up and make them look as good as new.”

Sharing these rides with his young sons, Mick and Walker, who are four and two years old, respectively, brings Phillips immense joy.

“Both of them love the tractors. They can’t get by the tractors without wanting to go for a ride. They’re definitely interested in all tractors, not just these,” he said, smiling.

Phillips’ passion for tractor restoration proves his dedication and perseverance. Despite challenges such as finding parts for these vintage machines, he has managed to keep them running and looking pristine.

“Finding parts for the old stuff is a big challenge,” he admitted. “There are some dealers who specialize in old tractors, especially the Minneapolis-Moline brand, which my grandpa started farming with. There are salvage yards in the States that sell parts and even remanufacture some.”

As he takes his sons on rides through the same fields where he spent his childhood, Phillips feels a deep connection to his past and a sense of accomplishment in preserving it for the future.

“It’s pretty nice to take my kids on a ride with the tractors,” he said. “With my sons riding on that tractor, there have been five generations of Phillips boys on it.”

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