Different Looking Gleaner F

Saw this machine this past week. A person wouldn't want to travel on asphalt very far.

rice combine?

Owner got tired of fixing flats.

I believe it is either Amish or Mennonite people that use those. I’ve seen a few pictures of farm equipment with wheels like that, even something as big as a Gleaner R7 once.

Hey Jim what did you buy? Where was auction?

Mennonites around here even clamp flat steel to their rubber track skid loaders. They say it is to prevent them from driving to town. Good people. Strange practices. Hard to argue results.

Mennonites have what they call different stripes. That is what they call different groups within the Mennonite community. Each group has somewhat different rules on what they can and cannot have.

Around here, the Amish will not own a tractor or combine or anything that can propel itself.  They will put an engine on something (like a baler for example), and pull it with horses.  The Mennonites around here can own all that stuff, and leave the rubber tires on it, and drive vehicles too.  In fact, they are the ones who usually cart the amish around. 

Wonder where do their “Rules” come from?

Seeing those gleaner F "steelies" brings back memories. Back in the late 1980s, I was privileged to work with a Mennonite farm family near New Holland, PA. They were great folks. One day while I was at their farm, the farmer explained to me their different levels of orders within their beliefs. Depending on each level, yes a tractor or farm machinery could be utilized, but may require steel wheels, while another level may allow rubber tires. Vehicles could be allowed if they were rid of any chrome - everything usually painted black or blue color. His Amish neighbor across the road farmed exclusively with horses. The Mennonite farmer also explained how the Amish also had different levels, but usually kept to more basic practices. So the Amish tend to add an engine to a baler, sprayer, chopper, etc while mostly being pulled with draft horses. Another day while on the mennonite farm, I noticed at the neighboring amish farm, a young boy push scootering from the house to the field all day long while carrying something on his scooter. So I asked about him to the Mennonite farmer who replied, "yeah that boy is shuttling batteries. He is taking discharged batteries to the field so their farm implement can charge them via a magneto hooked up to a rotating shaft. He then shuttles the newly charged batteries back to the house or buggy shed. Then the family can power something after dark & power their transport buggy's lights for night travel.