Ludhiana: Punjabis’ passion for unique vehicles does not stop at cars and SUVs. Tractors are also on the list.
A Machhiwara farmer has kept a 1964 model Russian tractor, which, according to him, is the one of the very few such vehicles in running condition.
Gurcharan Singh, 53, said his relative had bought the tractor in 1964. “Between 1961 and 1964 such tractors were sold in India from Russia. Its cost at the time was around Rs 12,000,” he said.
“After my relatives gave us this tractor, we started using it on around 13 acres of our land. This is perhaps the only tractor with 40 horsepower and two cylinders. It consumes 3.5 litre fuel per hour which is very less as compared with an Indian tractor that consumes around 6-7 litre. We used it for years and in 1995, we overhauled its engine. It has helped us so much in farming and digging up barren land in Bet,” added the farmer, who is a matriculate.
“We were using the tractor in fields till three years ago. When my son Jatinderpal Singh went to Canada two years ago, I stopped farming. I have given my land on contract. I have sold my another tractor, but will never part from the Russian one as it is precious to me,” he said.
Every morning, he drives the tractor out of its shed, cleans it and then parks it back.
“It is like my children as it really helped us in farming. After I made a video of the tractor and uploaded it on YouTube, it received much appreciation. Hundreds of people are now calling me up,” he added.
His wife, Baljinder Kaur, said, “It is our prized possession. We have preserved the tractor in its original form and taken its best care.”
Though the tractor is of Russian brand “Bragumupau”, the farmer has used compressor for long-range horn that has about five types of Punjabi songs’ tunes.
Maintained its originality
The farmer said they have tried to keep the tractor in its original form. Apart from replacing battery and tyres, they haven’t modified or changed anything. “We have painted it in golden and green colour,” he added.