Tractor enthusiasts back for Plow Days this weekend in Elba

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Looking over a field full of antique tractors ready to take part in Plow Days this weekend on John Torrey’s farm on Route 98, south of Elba, are, from left: Louis Esten of Elba, Terry Boyle of Medina, Mike Esten of Holley, Andrew Esten, Chuck Esten of Barre and Bob Newton of Stafford.

ELBA – Only once in its 26-year history has Plow Days had to be canceled because of rain.

Saturday morning founders Louis Esten of Elba, his brother Chuck Esten of Barre and Bob Newton of Stafford watched and waited for the rain to stop.

Plow Days has taken place every year for the past 25 years, except for two years during Covid, on the farm of John Torrey, an avid tractor collector and farmer on Route 98, just south of Elba.

Esten said 25 years ago, he, his brother Chuck, the late Ron Komar and Bob Newton (all of whom had an interest in antique tractors) got the idea for Plow Days and asked John Torrey if they could use his land. Louis said he and Newton had met at the Steam Show in Alexander, and during a conversation, the idea was born.

“We want people to understand what these old tractors are all about,” Louis said. “People actually used to plow with these.”

Alexandria Smith of Attica stands next to her antique John Deere 630 tractor and plow during Plow Days this weekend at John Torrey’s farm.

One of the antique tractor owners hoping to have an opportunity to demonstrate plowing was Alexandria Smith of Attica, who brought her John Deere 630 with a three-bottom plow. The 630 was built from 1958 to 1960, making it at least 65 years old.

Smith said her grandfather used to restore antique tractors, which peaked her interest, and she has been collecting them since she was 14.

She has a lot of respect for the old equipment and farming.

“Working on a farm is not like looking at a computer all day,” Smith said. “When you’re out on a farm, you put in a hard day’s work. You get tired, but it is a good tired.”

Terry Boyle of Medina is also an antique tractor buff. He repairs lawn mowers and brought one he restored – a 1972 John Deere rider – to Plow Days. He also spent several decades restoring his father’s 1938 McCormick 014, which he hoped to get running during Plow Days.

Plow Days is not just about plowing. There are dozens and dozens of tractors from the 1930s to 1972 on display. The giant barn is heated with tables and chairs, a food counter, hot coffee and vendors.

The public is invited to stop any time Sunday, rain or shine.

Terry Boyle of Medina sits on his restored 1972 John Deere mower in John Torrey’s barn on Route 98, one mile south of Elba. Boyle and a dozen other antique tractor owners waited for the rain to stop on Saturday to begin plowing demonstrations.