MEET THE DRIVERS- Comments/Driver Stories

Wayne Cantlin - The Tractor Ride Makes Friends from Neighbors and Neighbors of Friends

You never know whom you will meet on the Tractor Adventure. One year ago Wayne Cantlin met Andrew Tordai. They started talking about Andrew's recent move to Earlville from Elwood, IL. Lo and behold, who is Andrew's new neighbor but Wayne! It really is a small world.

Wayne has been a familiar face at the annual Tractor Adventure participating all but one year. One of the reasons he keeps coming back is because he enjoys running the tractors up and down the I & M Canal. He first learned about the event from his friend, Phil Plane, who was a participant. At first, Wayne thought it was kind of a "funny" thing to do, but he happened to see the parade of tractors going across a bridge/overpass somewhere along the route and decided that he really wanted to give it a try. He has been involved ever since. "It is a blast," said Wayne.

Wayne met Andrew in Marseilles at the luncheon last year. Andrew spoke to Wayne indicating that they were neighbors. In fact, they live just down the street from one another. It also turned out that Andrew is very good friends with Wayne's parents.

He will be riding his 1953 Super H International this year. He has owned the tractor approximately seven years. Wayne also owns five other tractors. His favorite tractor is his 1937 F20 International. Aside from the Tractor Adventure, Wayne also takes his tractors on a canal ride in Princeton/Hennepin, IL.

The Drissel Brothers – Three for the Road

Eugene Drissel has participated in the Tractor Adventure every year except for the very 1st year – he was too late to sign up that year. Eugene will have his two brothers, Robert and David on the ride with him this year. They will be coming with five other friends.

"I love meeting all the great people, talking with everyone and looking at all the tractors that are part of the parade," said Eugene. In the beginning, Eugene listened to the WGN Noon show with the Tractor Adventure's very own, Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson and heard them talk about the Tractor Adventure.

Eugene will be driving a John Deere 4010 that he has owned for eight years. He currently owns between 35-40 restored tractors on his farm. His favorite tractor is his John Deere 730. "It has been in our family a long time. In fact, this is the tractor that I learned to drive on when I was six years old," said Eugene.

Aside from the Tractor Adventure Eugene belongs to a tractor club in Union Grove, WI that has rides annually, during the month of July. Also, he participates in Plow Days in Union Grove in September.

Jim Biros – Riding his 2010 in 2010

Jim will be participating in this year's Tractor Adventure ride again. As in past years, he's looking forward to sharing and hearing stories and talking about tractors. This year Jim will be riding his 1963 John Deere 2010. Jim quips that he likes the idea of riding his 2010 in 2010.

He's owned the 2010 for about five years. He said that he purchased it when he was looking for a tractor about the size of the 2010 to use on his farm. "I wasn't looking for a 2010," said Jim, "It was the right size to get the job done that I needed." Jim says that he uses it all the time. "I'm going to be planting two acres of pumpkins shortly and will be putting it to use," said Jim. "My grandchildren love when they can go into the pumpkin patch every year."

Jim first learned about the Tractor Adventure "when it rode by near his home." He would watch as all the tractors would drive by. He decided that he wanted to join in the trek and the fun, and has been doing so for several years. "I enjoy the ride and meeting people. It's a peaceful ride in the country and I enjoy looking at the crops – I just enjoy the whole thing!" said Jim.

Jim currently owns five tractors: a John Deere 1938 Model B; a 1953 Model 40; a 1948 AR; a 1958 620 and of course, the 2010. Jim has ridden several of his other tractors in past Tractor Adventure rides. He works on his own tractors as much as he can time permitting, and does most of the general maintenance.

"I usually have a number of friends and family members who go to the Tractor Adventure every year. My grandkids love to watch all the tractors parade around," said Jim. This year he is bringing his very own cheering section comprised of family members including his nine grandchildren; Kayli, Alexa, Madison, Mitchell, Mariah, Sarah, Lindsey, and twins James and Johnathan. Jim is looking forward to becoming a grandfather one more time with another grandchild expected in August. So he'll have ten grandchildren in 2010!

Gary Lissy Jr. & Sr. – Father and Son on a Ride so Deere

Gary Lissy Sr. and his son, Gary Jr., are looking forward to participating in the Tractor Adventure for their first time this year. "We've gone to watch the Tractor Adventure in the past," said Gary Jr. "I also listen to Max Armstrong on the radio (WGN) and heard about the event." Gary Sr. also had friends who had participated over the years. So they decided to sign up. Gary's wife will be watching the parade at different locations along the route and cheering on her two favorite riders.

Gary Sr. will be driving his 1970 John Deere 4020. He has had this tractor for three years. The 4020 is his favorite for sentimental reasons. It belonged to his brother who passed away. His brother purchased the tractor new, in 1970. Gary bought the tractor from his sister-in-law. "I want to keep it in the family," said Gary Sr. Gary Jr. will be riding his 1965 John Deere 3020 Diesel. He has had this tractor for four years. Gary Jr. is partial to any type of John Deere tractor. Gary Jr. has been collecting antique tractors since 1974. Between father and son, they currently have a fleet of 55 tractors!

Gary Jr. participates in some antique tractor clubs that have parade rides. He is also a member of several two-cylinder tractor clubs that hold different types of rides and parades. Gary Sr. hauls some 30 tractors to an antique tractor show. He has participated many times in Coal City's October Fest and in the Carbon Hill Annual Parade. He has also participated in theWill County Threshermens' Reunions.

Brad Eike – Gets His Kicks on his ‘66

Brad Eike has participated in the Tractor Adventure for the last seven years. Brad's friend, Jim Huston, first persuaded him into going on the ride. His first year, he helped out providing fuel to the riders. Each following year Brad has participated as a rider on his 1966 Minneapolis Moline Super M670. The tractor has been a part of his family since 1966 when his father Earle first purchased it when Brad was nine years old. His family used the tractor on their dairy farm while Brad's father was living. Brad spent lots of hours on riding the tractor on the farm.

The tractor was originally purchased from an old high school friend of Earle's who has started his own Minneapolis dealership.

The tractor took a brief stint away from Brad.When his father passed away the tractor was sold in a farm sale in 1999. The person who bought the tractor didn't live too far away from Brad. He was able to buy it back four years later. After having sold the tractor back to Brad he ended up buying another 670 and now goes on the tractor rides. "My father would have really enjoyed these rides," said Brad.

Brad works for Heritage FS Inc., a farm supply company. He drives a fuel truck for the company. Heritage FS is one of the sponsors of the Tractor Adventure. They will be providing the fuel for the ride.

Though Brad doesn't live on a farm any more (he currently resides in the outskirts of Plainfield), he still loves his tractor and holds on to his farming roots. He keeps his tractor in a shed on his property and proudly takes it for several rides throughout the year including the Tractor Adventure ride. "There's a cruise night in Plainfield and every other week tractors come too, so I bring my 670."

"The ride is a marvelous thing. I enjoy hearing the riders' family histories and seeing dads, sons and grandsons all going on the rides together," said Brad. "Everyone has great stories to share. The routes are always so scenic and riding the routes at 10-12 miles an hour allows you to take it all in and to really enjoy it. It gives you time to see everything. I love old tractors and the event gives you the opportunity to see a lot of different tractors."

Brad rides with a group of friends including his very good friend Fred Lestina and his neighbor and friend Ron Drummon. He also looks forward to meeting new friends on the ride each year.

Larry Eipers – In for the Long Haul

Larry Eipers will be riding his 1953 Farmall Super H in the Tractor Adventure. His grandfather purchased the tractor the summer of 1953 when Larry was only 9 years old. He can remember how excited and proud they were to get this brand new tractor for the family farm. The family farm, where the tractor began its journey, no longer exists but the tractor has been in his family ever since. "I'm proud of the fact that this tractor has stayed in our family. Its never been traded or gotten away from us," said Larry. The tractor was passed on to Larry's father from his grandfather, and then passed hands to Larry in the 1970s after he persuaded his father to let him have it. Larry is semi-retired but still considers himself a farmer. Larry said that the tractor would stay in the family. "It will probably go either to my son or nephew, who have expressed interest in the tractor," said Larry.

Larry has participated in the Tractor Adventure since its beginning. "I knowMax (Armstrong), so that's how I originally heard about the event." As many of the participants echo, one of Larry's favorite aspects of the event is the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends as well as having the opportunity to ride with old friends and acquaintances. He said that he likes to ride with the fast tractors on the route each year. "I enjoy the time we spend at our stops talking to fellow riders as much as I enjoy the time on my tractor riding the route."

The Tractor Adventure is one event that he won't miss. He does participate in the annual event sponsored by the Sandwich Early Days Engine Club, of which he is a member. The Club offers restoration and preservation of antique farm equipment.

Larry tries to maintain his tractors himself as much as possible. He owns several tractors and has used approximately five different tractors during the eight years that the Tractor Adventure has taken place. A couple of the tractors that he has driven are the Farmall SuperM, a Farmall 806 diesel (which he owns jointly with another tractor enthusiast) and a high clearance FarmallM.

Last year he was the first rider to breakdown. "You fix the tractor and finish the ride," said Larry. Larry has been on hand in past rides to help out riders who have problems with their tractors en route. He has gone along on the event helping to fix tractors that have broken down and has also lent his side wagon and truck to assist stranded drivers.

Both Larry and his 1953 Farmall Super H are in for the long haul. Larry plans on continuing to participate each year in the Tractor Adventure and the Farmall Super H doesn't seem to have any plans for retirement. "It's a good time. I look forward to the event every year"

Melvin and Betty Brus – Riding Together for 48 Years

Melvin and Betty Brus have both been riding in the Tractor Adventure for the last six years and counting.

Melvin collects Minneapolis Moline tractors and his collection currently hovers around 14. He will be riding his 1958 Minneapolis Moline 445 and his wife will be riding the 1957 model. "1958 was the year that I graduated from high school and 1957 was the year my wife graduated," said Melvin. His wife wanted to get a tractor with a foot clutch so he purchased the tractor for her. When they got it home they found the date on the tractor. Melvin then decided that he also wanted to get a tractor with the foot clutch so he set about to purchase one and did. Upon bringing it home he found that his tractor was a '58. "It just happened by accident."

Betty and Melvin have been married for 48 years and love to ride their tractors on a variety of rides during the year. Last year they rode in 11 rides, including the Tractor Adventure. Betty and Melvin both grew up on farms. Melvin said that when they met his wife rode International Harvesters and he, of course, his Minneapolis Molines. They've both now found happiness with the Minneapolis Molines.

Melvin works on his tractors himself as much as he can. He says that he does have a buddy that owns a body shop. His friend makes sure to keep a surplus of prairie gold paint for Melvin's tractors!

Melvin is retired from the IA 80 Truck Stop in Iowa, where they reside. Although he is retired, as he puts it, "I'm busier now then I was when I was working." His brother still lives on the farm that has remained in their family for over 100 years. Melvin helps his brother with putting the crops in.

"We heard about the Tractor Adventure from a rider that we met during another ride," said Melvin. "He was so enthusiastic about the ride and spoke so well of it that we decided that we had to do it. It's a wonderful ride. You meet friends and make new friends. You meet nice people. We enjoy the ride and routes. There's good food, good friends and just a good time for everyone."