My Sentimental Super A

It is the one my Dad bought in the mid 1970s when My parents acquired a section of my Grandmother's, mom's side, farm. She did some estate planning and divided her land among her five childern.

Along with the land, my parents got some tobacco allotment and my Dad began growing tobacco in addition to working his public job. He bought the Super A from a local dealer that sold lawnmowers, parts, serviced them, and sold a few tractors and farm equipment. I have the bill of sale for it.

Dad also bought a 35 Massey Diesel with no power steering. That did not last long, thus the purchase of the Long WITH power steering.

Regarding the SA, I have spent many hours on over the years. Dad's health began to decline. His last baccer crop was 1980, and it was a challenge for him to get through it. I took over the tobacco on the farm in 1981. I began renting the "next door " farm in 1981 and the SA was there too. Fast forward to about a month ago when I officially acquired it during the process of settling mom's estate.

I was always curious about this model year. I thought it was an older SA cuz it had the 113 engine and used a thermosyphon cooling system. There was no serial number on the plate under the seat, but with Bill's, No Tools, help, I found the block number and it should be a 1951. What is even more interesting is that it is possible that it could have been produced in March of 1951, the month and year of my birth.

The SA is here with the Touch Control unit off awaiting some parts for a little repair. Maybe within a year or two, I can spruce it up a little, but I like it as it is. It will return back to the farm for now to help raise farmers market veggies this season. I have bigger plans for the SA.

The SA is part of the farm on which I spent most of my childhood with my Grandaddy. I slept with him during summer nights when he was curing tobacco. We went to the country store together.

My Grandaddy had only one tractor in his lifetime, a John Deere 40S. I have had it for about a dozen years. Now Grandson William's grandpa, me, will have his Greatgrandpa's tractors,
SA and Long, and his Great-Great Grandpa's tractor.

The best part is that I think I can say with much confidence that we, Mrs. Jim and I, are planning to buy Mom's and Dad's farm. My brothers have given their consent. My daughter, Son-in-law, and William will live in the house, and the circle of life will begin again on the farm. I hope to be the Grandpa that my Grandaddy was to me. The farm has been in the family since the 1840s, and I hope it will be there for many more generations...if I can keep the planned roads away.