My name is R.G. Schmit and this is my tractor restoration story about an Allis Chalmers D-10 family farm tractor, retired but not forgotten!
One spring morning in 2009, I got a call from my dad asking me if I wanted the old farm tractor! “Can't be talking about the Allis Chalmers,” I said, “because didn't think you still had that ole girl around!” “Well, it's in the barn,” he said, “but letting you know it hasn't run for almost 10 years because I just couldn't get it started. If you want it's yours but come get it soon as I'm cleaning out the barn!”
I was somewhat surprised my dad still had that old tractor around, but I decided to pass on the offer. For some reason, for the next few days, I kept thinking about that old tractor and remembering how much fun I had as a young boy driving it. Me and that old D-10 spent many hours together, especially during the spring and summer months, bush hogging 30 plus acres of pasture grass - most often starting at 7 am and finishing just before dark. I remembered how great it felt as a young boy to be able to drive a tractor as it made me feel like I was really farming!
That D-10 tractor was such an enjoyable part of my boyhood experience on the family farm and the reason I learned at an early age how to repair gas tractor engines. After a few years with Ole Allis, I knew everything about that ole tractor, but the best part is I could fix her when something went wrong!
Well, a few days later, I called my dad back (which he told me I was going to do) and told him I decided after all to take his offer and come get the old Allis Chalmers tractor, but only if I could load it! So, with the help of a good strong wench and a very sturdy trailer, I loaded that old faded, beat-up D-10 tractor and headed to my good friend, Jerome, one of the best tractor master restoration specialists around.
The process of restoring that old tractor back to its original glory took almost a full year to complete, but was done with much affection and worth every minute and certainly every dollar spent! Although it has been 15 years since the restoration, that orange spectacular still looks and runs great and today remains on the same old Louisiana farm where it was first delivered brand new in 1966.
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