A treasure trove of old tractors~

In late September one year I drove to Prince Edward Island to pick up a used Cultipacker from D & M Tools which is near O’Leary. I was in the middle of seeding a new field and needed to finish it off, but could find nothing used to my liking in New Brunswick. So off we went, my little dog Charlie and me, in my 3/4 ton commercial van to the northern side of the Island. 

What I found was one of the most astounding salvage yards I’ve ever been in. In addition to their regular business of new and used equipment, there was an endless variety of tractors in various stages of being parted out, usually grouped together by manufacturer, and spread out over a few acres. I also found the owner, Denis Gallant, to be fair and helpful to deal with. 

Besides the Brillion Cultipacker, I also found a used 3 point hitch Carry-All made by King Kutter (always wanted one). After we were done business and the van was loaded, Mr. Gallant generously gave me permission to wander around the yard photographing. He even, when asked about a place to stay, made a call to secure a very nice place near Alberton that was perfect. Typical spirt of the Maritimes–ya gotta love it.

For photographic purposes I was only interested in the old equipment in the salvage yard. I find myself somewhat fascinated by what might be called Post-Industrial Photography, whether it be old equipment, buildings or factories. The forms and patterns created by industry with rusted metal or peeling paint sometimes create abstract forms of their own.  

Something for everyone~

For those of us with old tractors or older farm equipment, a salvage yard is sometimes our best hope in finding something that fits. I’m still looking for a ROPS canopy for a 1640/2040 John Deere.

D & M Tools was started by Denis Gallant in 1980. To browse their equipment see the website link below.

Old time stuff~

There was a section with old horse drawn equipment in the yard as well, the kind people like to put on their lawns and such. We have two such pieces ourselves, a horse drawn sickle bar mower and a hay rake found entangled in a thorn tree I removed, which was original equipment on our farm. 

Loading up~

Above~ The Cultipacker, disassembled, being loading into the van at D & M Tools. The Carry-All was loaded later. I didn’t realize how much weight was in the van till I began driving and noticed the handling was off.

Above~ Charlie, my companion on the trip to PEI. It was during this trip I really appreciated of the blessing of “The dog who travels well.” He seemed to know what to do, never caused me any trouble, even while staying with me in the motel overnight. When I took pics he just hung around, didn’t wander off. It was great. 

Follow-up~

I thought maybe I should show what happened with the equipment once we got back.

The Cultipacker~

Above~ Unloading and the reassembly of the Brillion Cultipacker. It was fairly easy, just had to be careful not to wreck the van.
Below~ Our first new field after reseeding. The Cultipacker presses the seed into the ground and aids in germination. Horses graze on this field now, and the other half is used for hay. It has done very well. Notice the fender raised on the tractor because I had been doing some work on it, and rocks in the bucket I was constantly picking up.

The Carry-All~

Above~ The used King Kutter Carry All we picked up at D & M. Very useful material handling tool, shown loaded with a rather nasty thorn tree I had to cut down. 

Later on I added boards to it, and the next year modified it into a homemade fence spooler, shown in action below. It has worked out rather well. I’ll write more about fencing at some point.

Slideshow~

Notes~

Bottom line is I had a good experience dealing with D & M Tools and also found it very interesting. I only wish I had more money and a bigger truck lol. I’d go back.

Even though it was a 3/4 ton van, I only had to drive 1/2 mile to realize there was too much weight in the vehicle. I didn’t like the way it was steering. Although my plan was to pick up the Cultipacker, then head south the next day to explore and visit friends near Hermanville on the ocean, the weight made me reconsider. So we headed home and made it back in one piece. Hermanville, and the east/south part of the Island would have to wait.

Links~

D & M Tools~ In business since 1980.

Canadian Potato Museum~ Worthwhile stop in O’Leary, PEI.

Tourism PEI/Cedar Dunes Provincial Park~ Great location! Website has links to all the other Parks.

Stompin’ Tom Centre~ In Skinner’s Pond, PEI.

North Cape Experience~ Right up at the tip of the Island, home of the Wind Energy Institute of Canada.

See also~

North Cape Coastal Drive~ Take a drive around the North Cape.

The Bottle Houses of Prince Edward Island~ My visit to the Bottle Houses

Ships and Boats on Shore~ More scenes from around this beautiful Island.

Sophy Segal Scrapyard in St. Thomas~ A tour of the scrapyard in St. Thomas circa 1973.

Metal Sculptures at Zubick’s Scrapyard~ Fanshawe Fine Art program meets Zubick Scrap Metal in London, Ontario.

Abstract Art in Paint & Steel~ Accidental art from human activity.