Yeah, those fellas took Earl Butz’s comment to “Go Big or Get out” seriously.
Too bad these same farms have to deal with droughts, wind and cold us Tennessee boys only see once in a decade or so.
Our great grandfather used to take his steam tractor and combine out to the Great Plains when their wheat harvest came in. His crew would work at night if there was a full moon and he didn’t come home til his contracts were filled. about six weeks, more or less. Got some photos I’d share if I knew how to get them uploaded.
Yes, steam engines. Made real good money(This was in the teens...1900s)