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2015 Florida Flywheelers

Headed south for some R&R this week. One of my objectives is first visit to Florida Flywheelers. I am not that keen on JD being tractor showcased, but I am sure there is much more to see. Also plan to visit a big collection of iron from steam to tractors, crawlers and hit & miss at Ken Eder's at Carthage, NC.
Maybe I will run into some other MCA Snowbirds in Florida. I know a group from Indiana hit the show when MHF was lead tractor couple years ago. I heard it was a  version of "Smokey and the Bandit" semi---probably powered by Cummins. I will post pictures.
Bob White

RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

Ha Ha, Bob.  I don't think it was much of a "Smokey and the Bandit" run.  ;-)    But, yes, it was in a Cummins Powered semi - with only an ISL 9-liter engine under the hood.  And the chase vehicle was Gary Emsweller's Cummins Diesel Powered Dodge pick-up instead of a Trans Am.   It was actually a working test trip for the semi tractor - we were recording data the entire trip.  It was a pretty good workout for the 9-liter engine through the Smokey Mountains.

Here are some poor quality photos from that trip (no digital camera at that time...).  We got about 3 inches of fresh snow while we were loading the semi the night before leaving.  Reference Photo 1.  Then it was somewhere around 5 to 10 degrees below zero the morning we left Indiana.  Next shot shows the weather we arrived to at the Flywheelers:  Clear blue sky and 72 degrees.  That was the first time that I really understood the snowbirds!

Last photo shows inside the semi trailer just after loading for the trip back north.  Four tractors and a golf cart.

It was a fun trip.  I suspect you will enjoy yourself.  Have Fun!

JB
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RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

That trip was an experience!!  Other than all the hits Junior took I think we all had a great time.  Lots of suds were gone through during that long weekend.  I think there is a picture floating around with some bandits in the back of a paddie wagon the Flywheelers use to contain rowdies & speeders who take over the grounds!!  Be careful Bob!! They are will get you when you are not expecting it!!

Have fun, rent a golf cart and avoid the flea market!! (You will never find  your way out!!)

Gary

RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

Just in case there are any doubts about who the "bandits" were, here is some documentation of that episode.

You can clearly see who were the two culprits who were incarcerated.  As well as note who was the good citizen deputized for the day!   :-)
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RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

You can also see that big smile on the guy climbing into the front of the pattie wagon!!  Tom and I thought we were among friends!  All you could hear was when the truck arrived was  “They did it!!  They did it!!”
 
Of course, I could not say anything since my tractor was being held hostage.  I am sure my “friend” would have left us both down there to bake in the sun!  (which would not have been all that bad considering the weather back home)!!
 
It was definitely a fun trip.  If any of you know Jeff Noah from Ohio just ask him about the sleeping arrangements!!   Tom Patterson slept on the floor all weekend just so he would not have the promise to never tell stories about Jeff in Florida !!


RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

The Flywheelers is a great show, but there's way too many golf carts and other personal transportation devices if you ask me.  Have folks forgotten how to walk?  Here's my brother, Teddy, driving our tractor in last years show.
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Glenn

RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

This contraption is one of the many odd outfits you'lll see at the show.
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Glenn

RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

Hi Glenn,

First - that is a nice looking triple in Florida - thanks for sharing!!  

Now to the golf carts.  You are exactly right about all the golf carts!!  I would hate to guess how many were available for rent by the club but it was several hundred.  Plus EVERYONE had one (includes us).  It was so crazy they had speed limits for the carts and all the streets were one-way.  Of course they were not marked so you really didn't know which way to go.  We used the "first time here; we didn't know" card most of the weekend.  Of course, when the daily parade began, the world totally stopped.  

The other interesting thing was they had special gates for use only for the golf carts.  It was amazing to see the spectacle!!  Of course, some of the exhibitors had a hard time following the rules thus they were photographed and hauled off!!!

All-in-all it was a very interesting show and showgrounds.  I would recommend it to anyone at least once!!   (Great excuse to go south for a couple weeks)!!  More flea market booths than I could handle but it was a great show!!

GTE 

RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

Hit Flywheelers on Thursday & Friday.  Lots of powered transportation and walkers. Wind, dust, cold--for FLA. I know MCA had more tractors at Rushville MENA, but one has to remember the "snowbirds" don't have room in their fifth wheel trailer or garage at winter park model trailer. OMG the flea market. Friday the wind died down and I spent more time in VILLAGE buildings and engine buildings.  Some nice collections in Village covering all kinds of Americana, along with tractors etc. I think half the snowbird exhibitors set up then run around chatting with old friends. Why not.
I did see the high tech maximum security jail and guess the Hoosiers that got arrested got a pardon from Congress---that's not true--they would still be in jail the way Congress gets things done!!
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RE:2015 Florida Flywheelers

Thanks for sharing!  I'm sure glad the weather was much better when we held MENA down there in 2007!