Cooper, Coby, Herb, and Cecil; four of the five generations that have become bonded to the same “620”.

During the mid-1950s, Cecil Langer worked for the Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment in Mobile, Alabama. The dealer sold Mack Trucks and John Deere Tractors. Cecil worked his way up from the shop to becoming a salesman; so, when his father, Paul Langer of Grand Bay, Alabama, needed a new tractor for his farm, Cecil sold him a “620”. Along with the tractor, Paul purchased a four-bottom turning plow, a No. 5 Mower, a Killefer 7H Offset Disk Harrow, and a two-row cultivator. The implements added to the efficiency of farming mostly corn and soybeans, along with some hay. Remarkably, the implements are still with the tractor today.

As with so many of us, our fondest memories are the time spent in our younger years helping out on a farm during the summer. Paul’s grandson, Herb Smith, was no exception; during the summers of 1958 through 1965 he helped on the farm. “Part of growing up was spent on the seat of that ‘620’,” recalled Herb. Even while attending college at Auburn, Alabama, he would return to Grand Bay to help on the farm. After graduating with a degree in industrial management in 1966, Herb moved to Carrollton, Georgia, but still occasionally visited the farm. His uncle Cecil would fire up the “620”, and memories would come flooding back.

Meanwhile, Herb was busy. Along with raising a family, he founded and grew CW Construction and Herco Power, businesses that specialize in installing and servicing lights in shopping center parking lots. Herb’s son, Coby, with an engineering degree from Auburn University, joined the business and brought in new, innovative ideas. Among them was to lease and maintain rather than sell the lighting for the parking lots.

Herb has now retired from these companies, and continues to use his tractors to help out on his friends’ farms. Cecil now describes erb as an “agriculturist.” A farmer makes his money on a farm and spends it in town, whereas Herb makes his money in town and spends it on his farm!

Paul Langer continued to farm with the “620” until 1984. Cecil then bought the tractor and implements from his father, and finished restoring the “620” in 1987. One weekend, Cecil went to visit Herb and attend a local tractor show. Herb had never been to such an event, but was immediately “hooked” when he saw and heard all of the vintage John Deeres.

Herb still has his first tractor, which was acquired as a pickup load of parts.

Herb’s first tractor was a 1950 Model “A”, which he bought as a pile of parts. When he drove into his yard, with his pickup loaded to the limit, he was anxious to show his wife the beginning of his collection. Upon seeing the load of parts, she smiled and expressed how pleased she was that Herb had cleaned up the place and was getting rid of all that scrap. After explaining what was really going on, he got the predicable, “You have to be kidding!” Fortunately, Cecil was there to offer support and calm the waters. Today, Herb still has that “A” and, as with many of us, his collection has grown to include numerous tractors. Among them is a lineup of the “20” Series.

Herb joined and became an active member in the regional West Georgia Two-Cylinder Club. His son, Coby, also became interested in antique tractors. Herb eventually was elected president of the club, and now stories of that experience can be told…

As president, he was proud to lead 20-plus tractors in the 4th of July Parade. Carrying the Club banner, things began to turn grim when he ran out of gas on the courthouse square. For that he has taken plenty of ribbing, including being honored with the “Siphon Award.” Then, having completed his lifelong dream of having his own workshop, he decided to celebrate with an open house. The treats were great, but what Herb failed to do was invite the ladies. This resulted in an official “Pink Protest” at the following annual club show where he was awarded a pink dress, and his beloved Model “A” was decked out with a pink seat cover and matching pink bows.

Cecil is now an octogenarian, and he wants the “620” to stay in the family. He has given it to Herb with the understanding that it will eventually go to Cody, and then Cody’s son, Cooper. Cooper loves the tractors, and has a clear expectation of owning the “620” someday. That makes five generations who have been positively influenced by the poppin’ sound of this single tractor.