Old tractors put out to pasture, field ... to work

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Like new again Harvey Picha of Shiner, with a 1947 Case, enjoys restoring tractors, which have a sentimental value to him. "You look back on those years (on a tractor) as a lot of fun," he said with a smile. The top photos are "before" and "after" photos of a John Deere 40, year model 1953, Picha has restored. -Staff photo by Taylor

August 28, 2003 -- If you really want to see Harvey Picha of Shiner excited, ask him about restoring old tractors.

A home building and remodeling business owner, Picha said he is able to relive his childhood through the old tractors.

Reared outside of Sinton in South Central Texas, Picha spent many hours in the cotton and milo fields with his dad and three brothers. At the time, it seemed like a lot of work, but looking back on those times always brings a smile to his face, now.

"My mom and dad farmed in the area where I grew up. I guess that's how I got started on tractors. During the summer, we were busy farming and getting the crops in. During the winter, when it was raining, dad always enjoyed working on the tractors ... you couldn't do anything on the outside, so that was our 'thing' during the winter," he remembered.

Looking back, Picha said he always enjoyed working on the tractors and there was always one that needed over-hauling and repair. His dad taught him about engines and transmissions and getting the tractor ready for the next planting season.

"During the summer, you'd appreciate it because everything was fine-tuned. I guess he (dad) instilled that in me; 'get it ready ... you're going to need it one day!'" noted Picha.

Picha and wife Irene are the parents of three sons and a daughter; the youngest child, a son, is still in high school. The sons have helped their dad with the tractor restoration and learned from him, too.

He said he began the restoration for a hobby about eight years ago, and spends some evenings and weekend afternoons in his shop. Some of his tractors go back to the 1930s.

"They classify them differently. The antiques, I think, start up to the 1930s, and then, after the 1930s, there's a time where they classify them as 'classic' tractors," he explained.

His current collection includes nine tractors. Sometimes he has to purchase older tractors just to get the parts he needs for restoration of others. His oldest models include a 1935 and 1936, along with an antique F12 Farmall.

"Most of the tractors I've restored are of the era I grew up. I know the most about those tractors," he noted.

One of the 1930s tractors was purchased from an elderly gentleman who turned out to be a long-lost cousin of Picha's mother, strangely enough. He said he's found it is the older generation who seem to appreciate the restoration of tractors the most.

"People my age and a little older ... all the people who spent a lot of time growing up on a farm, spent a lot of time on a tractor, really appreciate getting involved in restoring tractors," he cited.

Although there are members of the "younger" generation who enjoy the old tractors, Picha said they haven't ridden a tractor all day long, for hours at a time, which is what he believes instills the true love of the farm equipment.

"You get older and your life is changed. You kind of miss that. You look back on those years (on a tractor) as a lot of fun; you just didn't realize it, back then, but it was a lot of fun," he said, smiling.

Although Picha said he got back into tractors and started restoring them quite by accident, it's obvious he loves his hobby. While out on a construction job, the property owner asked him if he'd be interested in

purchasing his old tractor. After first turning down the offer, he took a closer look at the piece of farm equipment.

"It kind of sparked something. I kind of felt sorry for that old tractor," Picha offered. "I kind of fell in love with it."

The best part of restoring the old tractors has been seeing each tractor go from "rags to riches," and the hardest part has been finding the parts needed for the restoration. He tries to find a plow of the same era to complete the set.

It's a pretty good bet if you go by Picha's shop outside of Shiner on a cold, rainy day, you'll find him doing what he loves ... bringing another older tractor back to life!