Those looking in from the outside at Pinckneyville’s annual celebration of America’s agriculture roots might never suspect that passion for these smoke-belching, sputtering contraptions boil as hot as a steam machine. This is no truer then when it comes to loyalty to one tractor make over another.

                There are two schools of thought as why such brand followings exist and both seem interconnected. Charles Greer, president of the ATA and an “International man” explains.

                “International was the first tractor my grandpa bought,” he said while holding court at the ATA’s unofficial headquarters – Dixie’s Cup Café. “Kids want to run what their dad ran. You inherit it.”

                The other is the number of of a given tractor maker’s dealerships in an area.

                “International is the dominate tractor in these parts because it had good dealerships,” Greer said. “If you go up near Greenville, Oliver is strong. It’s a regional thing.”

                Kauffman concurs, “The dealer makes the difference.”

                Once the bond has been established it is hard to break, especially if one is born into it. No one is going to question one’s dad or grandfather’s decision about his tractor purchase. Those loyal to other brands are viewed as misguided or weren't raised properly.  It’s the “my dad can whip your dad” theory.

                Because it becomes that personal members of different camps aren’t afraid to chuck spears at one another.

                Greer is a perfect example of this. Even though he heads the organization that invites all tractor lovers together for a weekend commune, he can’t help but to toss a few barbs at non-International devotees.

                “John Deere people drive Toyotas but treat them like Cadillacs,” he snipes. “But don’t print that.”

                Back under the shade tree, Kauffman and Vaugh are still exchanging verbal blows.

                “When you go to these shows you see more Deere running around than red ones,” Kauffman proclaims.

                “That is because the red ones are still out working in the fields,” Vaugh retorts.

                Ouch.