Talkin with grandpa

I heard another orange story from grandpa and now got me wondering. He just told me that when he was younger, he had an offer from the local dealer to ride down into ohio to get new equipment. He said no, because he had to milk the cows. The dealer would travel south of detroit, just into ohio somewhere. He would take a large army truck and trailer. My guess is that this would have been late 40's to early 50's. Now the question is, was there a plant in northern ohio, or was the dealer getting them off railcar? There was rail access in michigan, so im thinkin its not that.

He was likely going to the Toledo branch.

A branch was a regioal office ,parts, and equipment warehouse. Dealers in an area were serviced from the branch. Most new equipment was delivered by rail to the dealer but the branch also kept some inventory. 

I remember going with my grandfather to the Richman Va. branch to get equipment.

In the late 40's Allis built a branch house in Lansing that was open until the mid 70's, so I'm not sure why they would go to Toledo if it was during that time frame, but at this point, who knows.

I meant to say Toledo, dont know why I typed Cleveland......brain fart I guess.

I was born in 1985. Is this the year they went out of business? I think it is. I would have loved to see the One Ninety XT's when brand new at the dealer. Really would have loved to see the 7000 Series, because my Grandpa and Uncle had a 7030 and 7000. I found out where their One Ninety XT Series III is at and is about 5 to 10 minutes away.  Grandpa bought it new at ED LONG INC. Carrollton OH. Don't know what year they bought it but Serial # is 29988. Tractor is a 1971 and towards the last ones I think.

Jimia yes Steve is my cousin. He still has the business although it is called Agland today. It was started by my grandpa Dan McGrath. I remember many hours wandering around the old shop. I have a shop stool from an old Allis tractor out of the junk yard out back. A big treat for us kids was when Uncle Gene or Uncle Merle would open up the soda machine and let us take our pick. My dad Burke left the business after WW II and moved to Calif.

Jim & Steve:   I graduated from New Hampton High in 1961, and I remember taking Ag Class at the old McGrath Dealership.  My Father bought his only new tractor, a AC D-14 From McGrath's somewhere around 1960.   He used it until he quit farming, I have many fond memories Using the D-14 with that Power Steering.  The Tractor went to Denver, Iowa when we had the farm sale. I have a picture of it on my website, www.bigwheeltractor.com     Best Regards   Dave Carney