September/October 2020 Antique Power
/The September/October 2020 issue of Antique Power magazine will be available in subscriber mailboxes and on newsstands soon. Our latest cover tractor is a 1956 Earthmaster owned by Martin McMahan. This feature is written by Rick Mannen and photographed by Brad Bowling.
“Earthmaster” sounds descriptive of a large, powerful machine, but the tractors bearing this name, according to a 1947 article in Farm Implement News, were “small in size and price but potentially big in performance.” The general purpose tractor “makes tractor ownership financially productive on farms as small as 10 acres without sacrificing 100 acre performance.”
September/October 2020 Antique Power
The Earthmaster Farm Equipment Co. had its beginnings after World War II in Burbank, California. The company traveled a complicated path of ownership, with one stop in Statesville, North Carolina. Tractor collector Martin McMahan lives in Lexington, North Carolina, about 40 miles from Statesville. The locally made Earthmaster tractors have a strong pull for McMahan, who has five.
Our featured tractor is one that has always remained close to home. In 1956, Crowell Lake Koontz of Lexington inquired about a new Earthmaster at a dealership in nearby Spencer, but it did not have what he wanted in stock. Instead, he traveled a bit farther to Statesville, where Earthmasters were manufactured at the Turner Mfg. Co. factory. He paid $1,200 for his new Model C with serial no. 5402.
Koontz used the tractor for only light jobs around his property, such as picking up downed limbs. When McMahan bought the tractor in 2008, it was in good original condition, with faded paint and lettering. It had sat in an open shed for many years, and light rust had developed on the lower rear portions of the fenders. A small dent marred the front of the hood. The original tires were in poor condition, so McMahan replaced them. He would have left it as found, but when he planned to show it in July the next year, his father Albert insisted the tractor had to be repainted for the event.
McMahan’s full restoration of the tractor included going through all the mechanicals and replacing bearings and other components. He did a high-quality paint job, and the tractor made a nice showing in the parade.
To read more about the 1956 Earthmaster pick up a copy of the September/October 2020 issue of Antique Power magazine!
Other articles in this issue include:
John Deere’s Most Iconic Tractor John Scott and his 1931 John Deere Model D tractor both enjoy the Florida weather after many years of hard work. text by Tyler Buchheit
Like Father, Like Son Don and Chris Hudson enjoy their rare 1915 Kinnard-Haines Co. Flour City Model 20-35 tractor. text by Robert Gabrick
100 Acre Performance Martin McMahan’s 1956 Earthmaster tractor exemplifies the phrase “Buy Local.” text by Rick Mannen
Flying Along With a CO-OP Dick Tombrink’s circa 1936 Farmer’s Union CO-OP tractor is just like the one his father used on his Montana farm. text by Candace Brown
Letter from the Editor
Letters to the Editor
The Canada Connection Gas Traction—Made in Canada
Photos from the Attic
Tech Tips Waste Oil Disposal Through the Ages
Tractor Show Readers show off their favorites
Classifieds
Show Guide
Of Grease & Chaff The Tractor Show That Wasn’t
Gallery photo by Dennis Hamlin
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