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My father was a certified welder and taught me to Stick,
Gas, and Tig Weld at a very young age. We had a small machine shop on
the farm and dad also taught me how to run a 9" South Bend Lathe
(I now have that 1949 Lathe in my shop). At 9 I was working the fields,
and at 12, swaging hydraulic lines on the harvester. In High School I
studied Drafting, Mechanics in motion, Engine Theory, Electronics, and
other courses.
In the late 80's I went back to school at Harvard
Ellis Tech, an FAA FAR Part 147 school, and earned my A&P ( Airframe
and Powerplant ) mechanic's license. Harvard Ellis Tech is also a Part
145 Repair Station where the students learn on operational aircraft performing
repairs, inspections, and modifications.
I graduated in the top 5% of my class and went on to
work for a Delta commuter Airline maintaining Saab SF 340 B turboprops.
I then moved to Corporate Aviation working on Canadair and Lear jet products
with Bombardier Aviation Services. This included overhauling hydraulic
pumps, cylinders, and struts before becoming a "return to service" inspector.
I have retired from aviation and currently design and build
prototype machinery for industry, and repair and overhaul all manner of equipment from simple lawnmowers, to industrial excavators, to complete restoration of antique tractors.
I have a 51 B and a 1938 unstyled A that I pulled from the weeds and restored
completely and now regularly compete in Tractor Pulls with the Western
Massachusetts Tractor Pullers Association (WMTPA).
This is how I got involved with antique tractor repair and overhaul,
I just love this stuff.
 
The wife and I pulling with the old John Deeres.
The family that pulls together, stays together.
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