A NILSON tractor

[Craig A]

You only need ONE hand to count the number of THESE remaining in complete condition.

[Tanner Remillard]

Might that be a glimpse of a Bull tractor in front of the Nilson..............

[Andrew Yeary]

[quote=Craig Anderson]You only need ONE hand to count the number of THESE remaining in complete condition.

I guess the saying " if you've seen one, you've seen them all " is really true in this case

Craig? How many Nilsons are there roughly? My friend Jim E in New York did one up this year. In another life, I visited a chap named Andy Michaels (I think?) in Plentywood, Montana who had 1 or 2 of them, or am I dreaming this? By the way, is Andy still with us - if so, he must be quite an age by now as that is 20 or more years ago? Seems to me he enjoyed a beverage or two and liked sharing as well - or so I am told There was some neat stuff at Plentywood including a big Sandusky tractor (scarce as a 6 legged mud turtle and about as homely!), a smaller Eagle, OilPulls, etc..
Rick.

[Craig A]

Originally Posted by Rick Mannen

Craig? How many Nilsons are there roughly? My friend Jim E in New York did one up this year. Rick.

Jim would probably be the man to ask.......in fact I think I WILL!!

[Keven Withers]

Andy had the remains to 2 Nilsons but he has passed on I dont know what happened to the tractors and yes there is a large Sandusky tractor in a museum close to Plentywood Montana. Keven

[John Tysse Jr.]

The Nilson tractor that I have was used here at Crosby and bought new in 1914 by the man I bought it from, it was the third tractor in my collection and is serial #277. I bought it in 1961 after trying for three years. Edwin Peterson the man who sold it to me held back as he felt I would not be able to get it going and didn't want me to waste my money. If it hadn't been for Lloyd Gunderson Edwin would have been right. This model is called The Nilson Farm Machine, is one like it in The Western Development Museum in Saskatoon, one in the Dale Hawk Museum at Wolford, N. Dak. Years back I sold Jim Erdel one that came from eastern ND. I also have a unrestored one I bought in Southern ND. Andy Michels had the remains of three of this model and quite a bit of a Nilson Sr which was a bit newer. He sold what he had and they were later sold at a sale in Beach, ND. Andy has been gone for several years, he was quite a colorful man and a good friend of mine. As Rick says he would take a drink and wasn't bashfull to pass his bottle around. Was only one Andy. The Nilson at Austin, Manitoba is a Nilson Jr being sold the same time as the Nilson Sr. John Tysse Jr

[Craig A]

Is it possible that the remnants of the three Nilson tractors MAYBE owned by Michels wound up in the possession of a SE Wisconsin guy who was trying to sell the "kits" which consisted of a conglomeration of parts for 2 Seniors and one Junior?
I know he was all over the Country trying to round up parts, many of which were in Montana.
I have SEEN a list, and photos, of what was left as he was trying to sell the kits to Chet Krause when he was still collecting.
I advised Chet against buying them as the cost of restoration probably would have exceeded their value.
It MIGHT have been a break even for someone able to do all the work on their own and I wonder where, or IF, they were sold, and WHO got them?
Craig

I JUST remembered the guys name! Dean Oeschner......but I can't find ANY information on his current whereabouts...

Guys - It is good to see there are a few of them still around. Does anyone have any literature on them? Jim Erdle had asked me about doing an article on them some time. Yes John, I recall having the "royal tour" of Plentywood a couple of times with Andy. He was great guy and yes, was always willing to share a beverage, or two, and sometimes more - ouch Picked up a cooler there for a 12-20 Oil Pull for a buddy here one time. Seems to me it was at a place Andy had just south of town. Someone had shot a hole in it, though just through the sheet metal and Andy had a few kind words to say about that! For some reason, I also recall he had a pen full of ostriches. He said that was the second batch as the first ones had strangled themselves to death by picking icicles off the eaves of the shed. They stretched their necks to pick at the icicles and they would break off and lodge down their throats! Not sure I ever bought that story but he swore it was true He had to go to Calgary to get replacement birds - never knew you could do your ostrich shopping in Alberta?
Rick.

[Alistair Robertson]

Rick- I have a Nilson brochure-it details two tractors,a Senior rated at 40 HP and Junior rated at 30 HP both Waukesha powered two forward and one reverse.Will try to put it on to website when scanner is repaired.
Alistair

[John Tysse Jr.]

Craig, Dean bought the Nilsons from Andy and later put them on the annual sale at Beach, ND alsong with some other Nilson parts. Think they were sold to a fellow in Iowa but he was not at the sale. John

[Craig A]

John....I'd give just about ANYTHING to have a memory like YOURS..................except my iron................

[Jason]

Hey Craig,

I was once thinking about buying those parts tractors from Dean. That was before the HP came along. Last time I went to visit him was about 3 years ago and he's not too far from me.

Jason

[GParker]

may i ask were this tractor was at?......thanks

[Craig A]

Gary, unless Dean were to chime in it's unlikely anyone knows better than John T.......
I know Dean was trying to market the "kits" but the pieces at that time hadn't even been consolidated yet although his documentation looked good.
I have a couple ideas where they may have gone but I'd be guessing.

BTW: Welcome to the Stak.......

[OpposedPistone]

What do you think of this old ad.......?

[Tony Thompson]

Cool old add photo....judging by the line of draft on that rather high hitch, I am surprized that the nilson did not have the front wheels in the air

Here is a photo of the one that is always at LeSueur show in MN.

[David Parfitt]

Here is a Nilson photographed some years ago in a collection in North Dakota.

(Photo: Henry Roskilly)

[Craig A]

I may have some reprint stuff taken from an original loaned by a New York collector.
If I find the booklet I'll scan and post the whole thing.......

[ger hosey]

hello just enquiring does anyone have pic or history on a liberty tractor????while your on the topick of a rare nilson tractor