An Amish tractor? Say what?

[sixdogs]

It looks to be true. Some bishops in Ohio apparently have let their flock use tractors under certain conditions. The local bishop (think elder) is the head of a local group of Amish followers and his word is law--but for his people only. This is not popular with other Amish and most are not happy about it.

But there are conditions. It's always been that Amish couldn't have tires with air in them, hence so many steel wheels implements, and it looks like that stays the same. Look at the pics I snapped yesterday of a JD tractor driven by an old order Amish man. Look at the tires. No air. They cut the tread off of old farm tires and bolted them to some sort of rubber wheel, maybe off a tracked vehicle, and then bolted the casing to the rubber wheel. Very creative.

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I'm sure the workmanship is excellent but can you imagine the bear of a job to cut that casing? I saw maybe five tractors yesterday and all were pulling a wagon or trailer behind. Maybe they can only use them for going into town for supplies or certain field work? I'm afraid to ask since it's such a hot topic.


It's another matter, but I saw legions of Amish using bicycles yesterday that had electric power assist to them. Maybe this is just for the hill country areas since it's so difficult for horses. In addition , I saw table and floor lamps that used power tool batteries and low voltage bulbs. Another shock.

 

[Trillium Farm]

It looks to be true. Some bishops in Ohio apparently have let their flock use tractors under certain conditions. The local bishop (think elder) is the head of a local group of Amish followers and his word is law--but for his people only. This is not popular with other Amish and most are not happy about it.

But there are conditions. It's always been that Amish couldn't have tires with air in them, hence so many steel wheels implements, and it looks like that stays the same. Look at the pics I snapped yesterday of a JD tractor driven by an old order Amish man. Look at the tires. No air. They cut the tread off of old farm tires and bolted them to some sort of rubber wheel, maybe off a tracked vehicle, and then bolted the casing to the rubber wheel. Very creative.
View attachment 630679 .View attachment 630680
I'm sure the workmanship is excellent but can you imagine the bear of a job to cut that casing? I saw maybe five tractors yesterday and all were pulling a wagon or trailer behind. Maybe they can only use them for going into town for supplies or certain field work? I'm afraid to ask since it's such a hot topic.
It's another matter, but I saw legions of Amish using bicycles yesterday that had electric power assist to them. Maybe this is just for the hill country areas since it's so difficult for horses. In addition , I saw table and floor lamps that used power tool batteries and low voltage bulbs. Another shock.

Well Michelin has had the answer for a few years now with the "Tweel" but it may be too expensive for them perhaps.

 

[Diggin It]

 

[Rich B1]

What part of Ohio?

Locally, theAmish are using tractors and implements with standard tires. Very common sight.

 

[3930dave]

Steel-bolted radials !

Leave it to ingenious hard working folk to take thrown away items (big cable reel ?) and make something unique..... yep, sounds like olde-school farming to me :thumbsup:

There is a point though.......... might be the beginning of the end..... they could be soon worrying about how many Likes they are getting on social media !

Rgds, D.

 

[sixdogs]

What part of Ohio?

Locally, theAmish are using tractors and implements with standard tires. Very common sight.

Charm, Holmes county.

Do you speak of old order Amish or Mennonite using tractors where you are?

 

[sixdogs]

View attachment 630688

Those look like home made rims?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Locally, theAmish are using tractors and implements with standard tires. Very common sight.

Same where I live, ALL the Amish here have tractors on normal rubber.

SR

 

[Diggin It]

Those look like home made rims?

Dunno. My LS Dealer was installing them on that Case. Dunno if they made or bought them, or maybe one of the area craftsman did them. That area is a mix of orders that seem to follow different practices.

 

[metalbender]

Don't have any up here. Just curious, if it's only an air tire issue, could they not use small tracked crawler or skid steer units for heavy farm work?