Spotlight on Mark (Cubguy's Dad) LaFollette

[Cecil]

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20 ... cub6-1.jpg Kyle and I with his newly completed Cub.

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20 ... 0_0516.jpg My 1953 Cub

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20 ... 0_5515.jpg From L-R Cubhauler, My 1953 Cub, Kyle’s 1947 Cub

PERSONAL INFORMATION
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Name, Mark LaFollette aka Cubguy’s Dad
Age, 51
Residence, Onsted, Michigan, fourth generation, I have lived here all my life
Marital Status, Married
-- How many years, 23 years
-- Wife's name, Sue
Children, 4
-- Boys/Girls, Twin Stepsons Keith and Kevin, Son Kyle (cubguy) and daughter Katie
-- Ages, 38, 21 and 19
Grand Children 5
-- Boys/Girls 3 boys 2 girls
-- Ages 10, 9, twins 7, and 5
Great Grand Children no
Do you have any pets? Yes
-- Names, breeds, Jake, short haired border collie, acts just like one of the kids
Line of work, Full time automotive technology instructor, Adjunct automotive and welding instructor, Small business owner (LaFollette Service) doing mobile equipment repair and specializing in fire trucks and related equipment.
Retired or working? Tired of working? Oh Retired??? No, I am still working, I enjoy what I do, is that called working?
Degree's/Licenses/Certificates,
Graduated and Alumni member in good standing, from the School of Hard Knocks
Associates degree in Diesel Technology,
B.S. Degree in Automotive Technology,
Masters Degree in Career Technical Education.
State of Michigan Teaching cert. for Auto Technology and Med/HeavyTruck.Technology
State of Michigan Licensed Master Auto and Med/Heavy Truck
ASE Recertified Master Automotive Technician
ASE Recertified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician.
ASE Recertified Master Truck Equipment Specialist
ASE Recertified Electronic Diesel Engine Specialist
AWS Welding Certifications

TRACTOR RELATED QUESTIONS
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Tractors and models owned 1937 John Deere A (my first tractor, 39 years ago) !953 Cub (original condition), Over the years I have owned at one time or another several Allis-Chalmers, Case’s, Farmall’s and Massey’s I guess I have not had the opportunity to own a Ford or an Oliver yet.
-- Any other type of farm equipment? Old pull type Brush Hog and various Cub implements
-- Trailers? several
Are your tractors used for show or working? The Cub still works, John did his share in the past and spent many years (successfully) being in antique tractor pulls but John is retired now and just goes to shows
How much Land do you work (Acres)? I have 5 acres of which 3 acres is in hay, the farmer down the road mows and bales it The rest of the land has the buildings on it and I mow around them
What was your first tractor experience? When I was about five my dad let me drive the 8n Ford he borrowed from the neighbor so we could drill post holes. I always thought I would one day own one but the right one has not come along yet. My father had a Farmall 350 utility with a loader/backhoe. That was quite a tractor I would like to have one someday.
What is your Cub's primary work? Mowing the lawn, ditch banks and around the fence rows,. I used to plow snow with my cub but since I put the plow on my pickup, my cub has been retired from plowing snow
What is the favorite Cub of all which you have owned and why? The one I own now is the only Cub I have ever owned, however it is probably the handiest tractor I have ever owned, that is why I like it. Like John it will probably always have a home here.
What first sparked your interest in owning a Cub? I wanted a small tractor (preferably Farmall) to help mow the lawn and to plow snow in the winter, I found this tractor in 1987 and purchased it from the original owner. It fit the bill and it was reasonably priced. I put the Woods deck on it and built a snowplow for it and put it to work. It is as original as it was in1953 and has a permanent place in the barn.
What task/use of your Cub provides the most enjoyable seat time? I enjoyed plowing snow (as long as it was not bitter cold); mowing comes in a close second. I like the way the tractor rides while mowing the lawn. It is handy for many things.
Favorite thing you like about Cub's and Cadets? Their purpose of design, for a tractor this old they still are a viable workhorse that will get the job done economically and efficiently. You can not ask for more than that out of a piece of equipment.
Describe your most satisfying or frustrating experience working on your own or someone else's Cub? Kyle’s (cubguys) 1947 Cub, It was Kyle’s first restoration and helping him was very satisfying, although restoration of a tractor that has sat under a mulberry tree for twenty years was a daunting task and coaching Kyle through this process was not easy at times The restoration took almost two years but was worth every second. Kyle is proud of his accomplishment as I am of him.
Do you host or participate in CubFests, Cubarama, Mini-CubFests? How so? Kyle and I try to attend as many Cubfests as we can during the summer months. I usually take my service truck and a Cub or two and we plan on helping, working or welding on something.

OTHER ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES
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What other hobbies do you enjoy? Collecting Barn Lanterns, Kyle and I have over 45 that are operational with another 30 plus waiting for their time. 1963 Olds Cutlass that I restored and go to car cruises in A 1970 Ford F-350 flatbed (Cubhauler) that Kyle and I own and continue to improve upon. The latest project finds Kyle and I building a Model A Doodlebug Tracto from a pile of parts, it will be pretty neat when it is done. Basically, I am interested in anything that has a switch, I do not do manure, so livestock is not in my past or future. I also have a fence row full Kyle’s and my own projects, waiting for their time. I just like working on things, I guess you could say I am a Shopaholic (Repair shop that is) because that is where I like to spend my spare time. For those people that really know me (my family will tell you this) I enjoy meeting and talking to people. I enjoy going to auctions, you never know what you will find and bring home (Sue is kinda used to it by now) and there will always be someone to talk to or some acquaintance that I have not seen in a while.
Do you hunt or fish? Not really
-- What is your favorite game? Venison
What is your favorite Sport? Nascar
-- Do you have a favorite Sports team? Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin
Favorite Book? The problem with life is that it interferes with my plans. A collection of true life short stories, By Craig Schmidt
Favorite Movie? You can not beat a Clint East wood or John Wayne movie
Favorite Actor/Actress? Clint Eastwood or John Wayne
Magazine(s) you subscribe to? Diesel Progress and Truck Equipment Monthly
Favorite outdoor activity? Camping, tractor shows or just being outdoors
Do you maintain a garden? no
Do you maintain a personal orchard? No

What is your favorite Quotes or saying?

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people. Theodore Roosevelt

The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
Theodore Roosevelt

Do you have any immediate goals in your life? I want to help Kyle gain technical and business experience so he can play a more active part in the business and eventually take the business over.

[John(videodoc)]

Very interesting share.... Hoping the two of you can make it down in April..... John

[redfin]

Thanks for sharing this with us Mark

[Barnyard]

Mark, that is a great bio! It is always a pleasure to see you and Kyle at a Cubfest. I am a big Estwood/Wayne fan myself. Don't let Regina Dotson find out you have all those lanterns.

Thanks for the write up.

[Bill Hudson]

Mark,

Thanks for the bio. Very informative.

Bill

[ScottyD'sdad]

Very interesting bio. Thanks. Ed

[Buzzard Wing]

Wow, I knew you knew a lot.... but you got the tickets to go with it. I really enjoyed meeting you this summer at CubFest in OH. It's too bad you don't live closer because there is so much I could learn from you, I should have known you were a teacher by your ability to pass along knowledge, a great skill in my book.

Thanks for the great bio. Here is a shot of you 'whipping up' a hitch at CubFest (pretty impressive when someone brings along a mobile shop).



Larry

[VinceD]

Mark, that was very interesting and quite an impressive set of credentials. Hope to run into you someday.

[dakcub]

Mark....great bio.....Sounds like your son will turn out to be just like his dad.....A grand achievment.
Robert

[Trent M]

Mark- Thanks for the bio. Hope to meet up with you some day.