Farmers Weekly Review

Leonard Brands got the surprise of his life on his 92nd birthday January 9 when Dean Bettenhausen (in the orange hat) brought over the early-1940s tractor Leonard and his Dad, Arnold, bought and used for their Corning Road farm until his Dad retired and auctioned the tractor in 1967. For the first few years, it had steel wheels, but when neighbors complained about the 4-inch-deep ruts, Leonard and his Dad cut down the wheels and put on rubber tires. Bettenhausen bought the tractor in the '70s, and used it in parades, but just changed the tires a few weeks ago. Leonard was thrilled, but too weak for a ride. But his daughter, Lynn, (above right and below) hopped up on the fender like she did when she was a kid a few years ago. (Photos courtesy of Dean Bettenhausen)