Page 20 - HIWT Spring 2012 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

NEW ENGLAND FARM kID BRINGS LIFE BACk TO OLD

TRACTOR BY WELDING

By Neil Mansfield

This is a story of how a farm kid with plenty of passion, lots
of solid welding skills, and sheer determination brought life
back into this old New England farm tractor. Derek’s family’s
farm dates back to the mid-1920s and like most farmers in
our country, the necessity to become a jack of all trades to
build, fix and maintain things on a working farm has been a
cost-saving endeavor for his family. There is an old saying in
New England: “A New England famer can always be sure of
a good crop of rocks.” Nevertheless, plenty of New England
famers carve out a good living with great pride, working hard
and raising honest, industrious families.

Derek’s journey into the world of metal started long before
he became a vocational high school welding student. It
began back when Derek was just a little boy growing up on
a farm watching his grandfather, uncles, and father repairing,
welding, and fabricating farm equipment to keep the farm
turning a profit. These days, Derek is a soft spoken, well Model 9N Ford tractor, manufactured from 1939 to 1941 in
mannered, kind, respectful, and above all, gentle teenager. He Detroit, MI. It is painted the original gray color and has been
knows the value of hard work, never gives up, and pitches in in the family since it was purchased new in 1941. It was the
to get the job done. main tractor on the farm and was used for plowing, mowing,
pulling wagons, along with other various tasks.
This past fall, the local AWS chapter from Boston,
Massachusetts asked Assabet Valley’s welding students to host
a demonstration night of welding and blacksmithing for its on the family’s barn to honor his memory. Derek’s grandfather
members. Since a few of our students, including Derek, were sparked such a strong interest in welding in Derek that he
farm kids they thought it would be neat to showcase some of chose it as his career. With his care and dedication, Derek will
their tractor repairs which included welding and fabrication no doubt keep that vintage farm tractor running for another
components of their machines. Derek began approaching his 70+ years!
shop teachers to share his tractor story and offer to show his
family’s tractor to AWS members. After almost a full year in Derek is a senior this year and plans to work with his uncle to
Derek’s family farm shop including plenty of welding, metal keep the farm running, growing fruits and vegetables and hay.
forming, and painting, it was ready to be put back into service. In addition he works at the Stowe Construction company also
with his uncle.
As the AWS event night arrived, so did Derek’s grandfather,
delivering the tractor to the school. This is the first time the I wish him the best of luck in his welding career!
tractor left the farm since 1941 and has been in continuous
use since then. After unloading it, Derek fired up his tractor
and drove it right into the shop. Even before he could get off Neil Mansfield, AWS-CWI/CWE, is a graduate of Hobart
the seat, Derek was answering questions from AWS members Institute of Welding Technology and is the Metal Fabrication/
while his grandfather stood by his side. Welding Lead Teacher at Assabet Valley Region Technical
High School in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Neil is also a
It truly was the highlight of Derek’s year. Sadly, Derek retired U.S. Navy Chief and New York City Ironworker. He
is a blacksmith and artist. His work may be seen at www.
grandfather passed away not long after that event. Just recently, mansfieldmetalart.com.
Derek decided to hang a sign of dedication to his grandfather

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