JESUP – Sparky Duroe is well known in the Jesup community for his generosity and kindness. In his retirement, he spends most of his time restoring tractors. Last year, Sparky approached the Jesup Industrial Tech program to see if students would want to assist in the restoration of a 1955 Oliver tractor. Four students–Dawson Roth, Reid Barko, Colton Even and Treven Delagardelle–were selected to work with Sparky on restoring this Oliver.
The tractor that Sparky purchased for the project was a 1955 Diesel Oliver–an Under Over hydraulic shift–made in 1974. This was a low-hour tractor that was not used for most of its life. Consequently, it was a well-running tractor, but its paint and exterior had been very run-down. There was rust forming in almost every part of the tractor.
The first part of this project was to disassemble the entire tractor. The four high school boys detached all of the exterior panels and the hood. The alternator and starter were sent to be tuned up and mechanically repaired. Hydraulic lines were dissected. The rear implement attachment systems were dispelled. The tires and their frames were removed. In this phase, almost everything down to the frame, except the engine, was removed.
Next, all of the parts were sandblasted. To remove all old paint and rust, a machine uses high-pressure air to send sand at an intense speed and removes all rust and paint. All parts were then cleaned, primed, and painted with high-quality paint. During the reassembly of the tractor, all new electrical lines, gauges, and lights were installed. After two semesters of work, the tractor was restored to the quality of a tractor off the assembly line.
Throughout this time, Sparky Duroe taught values of work ethic, creativity, and independence. The lessons he has taught will carry with his young students for a lifetime. The tractor will be presented and compete in contests at the Buchanan County Fair and the Iowa State Fair through the Jesup µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø Chapter. The tractor will then be auctioned off by Aumann’s Auction. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Dollars for Scholars fund, which awards various scholarships to Jesup seniors.
