Butterfield has been an active member of the Makoti Thresher’s Association (MTA) since the 1970s and has without a doubt left his mark on the organization.

“Ralph’s knowledge of the machines, not only the mechanics of them, but who ran them and who owned them, is unmatched,” Chris Huus, president of the MTA, said. “He truly has a passion for keeping these old machines running and alive. It is not an easy job, but he’s just one of those people who makes fixing them look easy.”

For those who are unfamiliar with antique farm machinery, tractors do not fall into a one-size-fits-all category. Different fuel was used throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Engines fueled by steam are the oldest – used primarily before 1910 when gas engines made them obsolete. Gas engines were dominant in fields until the late 1950s when diesel engines became popular.

The differences between these fuel categories, or even the differences within one category, can vary greatly between the decades the tractors were manufactured. For example, gas tractors from the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s are often much different from the post-World War II era tractors. And gas engines are completely different from steam and diesel-powered engines.

Submitted Photo Ralph Butterfield stands in front of one of his John Deere D tractors at the Makoti Threshing Show in 2024. Photo by Hunter L. Andes.

MTA board members all agreed there probably isn’t an engine Butterfield couldn’t fix if he set his mind to it. Even though he sticks to mostly operating and repairing gas engine tractors, Butterfield is an extremely rare example of a mechanic who has ample knowledge in all three engine types.

Darin Vangsness, vice president of the MTA, said very few people know how to run some of this early 20th century equipment and expressed how lucky the Makoti community is to have an asset like Butterfield.

“As time wears on, the number of people who know how to operate this old stuff gets fewer and fewer – let alone the people who know how to fix it,” Vangsness said. “I’m not necessarily talking about the rubber-wheeled tractors from the 1950s and 1960s, but more so the gas tractors from the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. It takes a special breed to know how to not only run, but work on, those old tractors. Without Ralph, and the select few who have knowledge in the early gas tractors, a giant part of MTA’s collection would simply be static display.”

Huus and Vangsness both reiterated how grateful they are to have Butterfield on their team.

“We couldn’t do it without him,” they both said.

The Makoti Threshing Show is July 11, 12 and 13.

Threshing show details

MAKOTI – The Makoti Threshing Show is Friday-Sunday, July 11, 12 and 13.

Significant changes are occurring for this year’s show. A rodeo will be held on Saturday, and there will be a parade Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. There will not be a parade on Sunday.