Kenneth Slagell with one of his Gleaner L2 combines. (Journal photo by Lacey Newlin.)
Most collectors of antique farm machinery collect equipment for historical and personal reasons and never have any intention of using their vintage tractors or combines in the field full time. However, for Kenneth Slagell of Hydro, Oklahoma, his barns of old Gleaner equipment still serve him well in harvesting his crops. At the same time, some of them bring back memories of when they were first brought to the family farm when he was an adolescent decades ago.
Kenneth was born and raised on the farm where he now resides. He attended college in Virginia and from there taught school in Nigeria for three years, then came back to Virginia and taught for another six years before entering the work field of aviation. However, in the summertime he found time to return to Oklahoma and help his family during wheat harvest.