The Story of a 1949 WD
Serial Number 18,943
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This "tractor story" begins in 1945, when the Otto C. Kroge family moved from Piper, Kansas to a 170-acre farm 2-1/2 miles northeast of Higginsville, Missouri. Otto had purchased a used Allis Chalmers Model RC tractor and two horses to begin farming. During that year, World War II was in progress and the only way to get a new tractor was to get on the "new tractor list" and wait for ones name to come to the top of the list.
In May of 1949, two tractors arrived by railroad to Higginsville from the Allis Chalmers factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One of the tractors was delivered to Otto's brother and the remaining tractor was fitted with an attached plow, belt pulley and rear wheel weights and delivered to the Otto Kroge farm on May 12.
"After a few quick instructions, I remember plowing rye sod in preparation for a corn crop before lunch," said Quenton Kroge, Otto's son and relater of this story. "Since I was 11 years old at the time, it was hard to pry me off the seat."
The first tractor problem arose during the winter of 1949 and 1950. Quenton forgot to drain the water from the engine block. The hole was repaired with a plate which is still attached to the engine today. This tractor was the primary power source for the farm. It did all the plowing, tillage, planting, cultivating and harvesting. Some custom work was also done with this tractor.
In 1953 this tractor was joined by a new Model WD Allis Chalmers tractor. "Together these two tractors could turn a lot of work in a short time," Quenton said.
Otto began raising a large number of hogs and the farm continued to expand. In 1966 the two tractors were joined by a new Model "D17" Allis Chalmers tractor. The 1949 WD became the "chore" tractor used for feeding and moving hogs. This tractor was used every day for many years.
In 1982 the 1949 WD was sold to Jed Jaedicke, who took it to his lake property near Warsaw, Missouri. This was the home of this tractor for 20 years, grading roads, mowing, launching boats and pulling hayrides. Jed passed away during the year of 2002 and in the spring of 2003, Jed's wife, Judy, gave the 1949 WD back to Quenton.
The 1949 WD tractor was restored during the winter of 2003 and 2004 by Quenton. The tractor was painted and wired by Ramon and Dallas Mercer of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Quenton has all three of the new tractors bought by Otto Kroge. In addition to the '49 WD, Quenton owns 13 other restored Allis Chalmers with four unrestored tractors waiting in the wings. The farm is still owned by the Kroge family. Otto will be 100 years old in November, 2005.
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In Memory of Quenton Kroge
| Otto Quenton Kroge, 67, of Kearney, MO, passed away April 12, 2005, at his home. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. He is survived by his parents, Otto and Hulda Kroge, Higginsville, and his wife, Marilyn Kroge, of the home. |
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