Here is a real gem to add to our Tractor O' The Week blog. One of those buried treasures that you know are out there somewhere!

Chris and Maureen Epping of Funk are the proud owners of this 1925 Rumely Oil Pull 15-25 Horse Power Type "L" tractor. Chris tells me they were made in LaPorte, Indiana. The company made tractors at this location before being bought out by Allis Chalmers after the stock market crash.  AC continued to sell the Rumely 6A for several years until they replaced it with their own design.

Chris says both he and his wife's great grandpa's used Rumelys. Neither tractor is still around but the tractor here in the picture that Maureen is sitting on is the same model.  Chris tells me the history of this tractor remains a bit of a mystery.  The earliest info they have is that it came from around the Comstock area, then a friend of theirs from Milford bought it about 6 years ago and did the paint work. Chris said he's more concerned with how it runs rather than the exterior.  He's done a fair amount of work on it and it runs very well!  (and it looks good!)

Chris says due to the fact the Rumely was the first tractor in the family, his Grandpa decided to buy one.  In 1966 he bought his first one at an auction in McCool Junction.  From there, he says, their collection has gotten out of control! His Grandpa passed away in 1981, but he and his Dad still collect the early tractors. Forty-four years after the first one was purchased, they now have 12 of them from the biggest to the smallest in size in the 1910-1930 range.  They also have a very unique one which is the oldest Rumely still in existence (43rd tractor built) which turns 100 years old this year!!

Wow, what a fantastic collection!  Enjoy the photos of this Oill Pull and hopefully we can feature the oldest Rumely in the bunch in a future entry. Thanks Chris!  Click on the pictures for a closer look. Send your tractor entry to the addresses above.