[Jim in NC]

My Dad bought this Long new in 1977. By the early 1980s his declining health forced him to stop growing tobacco. Moving back home and buying part of my Grandpa's, Dad's dad, farm in 1978, I have spent many hours using this machine. Dad passed away in 1985, and with few exceptions, I have used it as if it was my own since then. With mom's passing last fall, I now am the "official" owner. It has been a good tractor and has needed one major repair. It had to have a new clutch many years ago. It was in a fire once under a tobacco barn shed. Fire inspectors think there was an electrical short in the barn wiring. When it was refurbished, 460 decals were applied " cuz that's what we could find." It is a 360, 35 hp, but it pulls as good as my 42 hp Long 445, which preceeded the 460.

For most of its life, Long Manufacturing tractors were made in Romania by Universal Tractor. In addition, Universal sold tractors labelled Allis Chalmers, Leyland, Hesston, and White Oliver. There may even one or two more, but memory ain't what it used to be. The main difference was in paint color and decals. A neighbor ordered a crated Universal Tractor years ago. It came with multiple decals and name plates. He assembled it, painted it orange, and an Allis was born.

Longs were assembled in and distributed from Tarboro, NC. They do have a few minor common problems, but are/were not as expensive as the well-known brands, and have been a good heavy source of horsepower for us. Fuel economy is very good, especially when haying.

 

[bettyp]

Very interesting Jim to hear how the Long was handed down from your grandparent & then your dad & now you the proud owner.

 

[Stephenscity]

Really makes it special. Sorry everyday I let things slip away. Thanks for sharing!

 

[bettyp]

Really makes it special. Sorry everyday I let things slip away. Thanks for sharing!

I think we are all guilty of letting thing slip away from us.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for sharing that Jim. Enjoyed reading the history of it. Wouldn't mind having one of those Longs. Look like good solid tractors.

 

[gordon1121]

Enjoyed the pictures and the story I'm really glad you got the tractor. Never got to work a Long but know people that have them and never heard any complaints. Thanks for posting.

 

[single tree farm]

Very strong looking tractor, and I enjoyed the story. It's wonderful that you've been able to keep it in the family on and the farm that it knows as home.

 

[caseman]

Allways heard they was a good tractor Jimmy do you plan on maybe a pant job or run it like it is?

 

[Jim in NC]

I plan just to use it as it is for now. Longs are not collectables unless one could find some of the rare tricycle types of the very first models. Their resale value is lower than more well known brands, and they had acquired an undeserved less than desirable reputation. As a friend said a few years ago, they are a very good source of cheap horsepower.
They are heavy for their size. The sheet metal was repainted after it caught fire, but the casting sections and the wheels were not. I use the Long for land preparation, haying and bushhogging. It is not used as much now as when we grew tobacco, and it is still at mom's farm. Having it there keeps me from having to move a tractor from farm to farm. I will post more about this hopefully soon since there are some things that remain to be settled. I also got the family Super A and will start a thread on it soon.

 

[bettyp]

Interesting Jim to hear more about the plans for that tractor.

 

[Tiny farmer]

Jim my last name is long. Think I could get a free tractor?? Lol

 

[Jim in NC]

Free tractors are hard to come by, and a free one can be costly. I bought this one from surviving heirs at our family auction. I am happy that I could keep it in the family. Having tractor with a known background, how it was used and maintained, is valuable to me. Most of my farming stuff has come from local farm families that I know or have known.

 

[Tiny farmer]

I know what u mean I have a little jd model L that's been in the family since the 1940's My dad sold it for a 100 dollars when I was about 12. That was the early 80's. I threw a fit and bought it back with my piggy bank money. Dad threw his hands up and gave up. I couldn't even start it at the time. But he put the money back in my piggy bank and I still have the little L. We mowed our 15 acre field with it and a horse drawn McCormick mower every year And worked our garden with it also. It's just a member of the family