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Wooden tractor This is not an April Fools posting, this article was actually printed. Some of the writers at Mechanix Illustrated must have had a rather strange sense of humor or been under the influence of something when this article was proposed. World War Two was a tough time to get your hands on metal. So, this tractor was made from wood. Get out your circular saw and let the sawdust fly and in no time, you’ll have a tractor! @formariz could probably build one of these tractors in no time. BABY TRACTOR For Odd Jobs from the pages of Mechanix Illustrated, October 1941 By no means a mere toy, this little tractor has ample power and maneuverability to perform all sorts of light tasks. Any small gasoline engine geared low- enough will develop considerable pull in this junior tractor and a handy boy not only should have a lot of fun with it, but may be able to pick up various odd jobs of hauling and towing in the neighborhood. It can be used to pull small loads of dirt, gravel or rubbish, or tow two or three coaster wagons full of youngsters. It is geared to travel as fast as a brisk walk and is designed to runover rough or soft ground as well as on the sidewalk. The large drive wheels are very simply made. Two 20-in. disks are built up of 3/4-in. x 7-in. boards cleated on the inside, as shown in Fig. 2. The tire is a 6-in. wide strip of heavy galvanized sheet iron with cross treads nailed over it. A section of brass tube serves as a hub. The wheel turns on a 3/4-in.cold-rolled steel axle. It is highly important that the hub, which is driven in to a tight fit, be accurately centered and true in the wood disks. The driving load is carried by carriage bolts through V-pulley and one side of the wheel. Make the chassis frame of parallel two-by-two's (net) with cross pieces as indicated in Fig. 3. The hood may need to be altered from dimensions given here if a larger engine is used. The dummy radiator is merely a 1-inch board cut as shown with heavy screen nailed over it. The "instrument board" is merely a duplicate of the radiator. These two ends of the engine compartment are tied together with strips on the sides, as shown, and covered with galvanized sheet iron. Use an old steering wheel from a sidewalk auto. The steering wheel be fairly small. A length of 3/4-in. galvanized pipe makes a good steering shaft, and the spool is 3-in. x 3-in. wood. The cables must be crossed in order to steer the same as an auto. A coil tension spring keeps the cable taut. The rear axle is clamped to the two-by-three cross members by means of U-bolts, as is the front axle to its two-by-five-inch member. The 3/4-in. steel jackshaft is carried in brass-tube bearings clamped to the frame with wood blocks as shown. Small pulleys on the ends of the jackshaft carry belts to the drive wheels, and as these belts are not adjusted too tightly, they allow slippage in turning corners, thus serving as a differential. In this connection the writer has found by experience that a good V-belt is very accommodating in this way; it will slip if the load excessive but pulls like fury when not overtaxed. A 10-in. (Delta) V-pulley is driven direct by the engine pulley. The V belt between the two is adjusted loosely enough to permit the motor to run free. An idler pulley serves as belt tightener and when thrown in position the tractor starts in motion. When the lever is forward the idler pulley is free and the brake shoes engage with the rear drive-pulleys. Drawing the lever back brings the idler-pulley against the engine, belt and tightens it. Note that the idler should be swung on an arm about 3-in. long, and so installed that when engaged the arm is past center and is automatically held in this position until released by the operator. The job can be greatly simplified because the belt tightener and brake are not absolutely necessary. The slow speed of the tractor does not involve any hazards, especially if the engine belt is always tight, for by shutting off the ignition the motor itself serves as a brake. In starting, the operator simply works the kick-starter with one hand and pushes the light vehicle forward with the other until it takes hold, after which he can easily hop aboard. If one wishes to work over uneven ground the chassis can be made flexible by the use of a swiveled king bolt, Fig. 5. This, however, is a blacksmith's job if you haven't the proper equipment to make it yourself. A brace should be installed as in Fig. 4. In case of a swiveled king bolt this brace must also be swiveled at the top connection. For greater power use as large pulleys as are available on the drive wheels, and as small as possible for those driving them.

I bought this @Zagray show last fall From Stevebo to help his son on buying a pickup truck. I broke this on down to the frame cleaned all parts and frame. Taking my time because I am in no rush.It may be done for the spring show @Zagray. I have to say nothing beats a rolling table. My back and neck thanks it. Enjoy the picks.

We got lucky . Rain on Saturday. Rain today and more forecast for tomorrow and Wed. Thankfully yesterday was warm and sunny for Mrs. Ks scavenger hunts.

A Wheel Horse entered the painted egg contest. Nope, he didn't win. We had 23 egg painters aged from 1 to 99 years old. My 55yo son Mark won with his Wise Old Owl entry.

Brave brave man... The Maynha Press: @ebinmaine was last seen videoing the BBT on an alleged hydro Wheel Horse... It has been months since Eb has been seen or heard from... Local authorities questioned and released BBT who simply said something about a preference for gears, her dojo, teaching Eb some martial arts and vague references to frying pans...anyone who sees or hears from Eb is asked to determine if we can have his stockpiles of C-160's...

This wheel horse powered wood splitter popped up on my marketplace suggestions this morning. First of its kind that I’ve ever seen and I thought some of you here might appreciate it. Running condition for 400$ is tempting

Lol I may take a hit off Richard's A-60... Was in doubt I would make it to Pullstart's at all. Not suposed to do anything strenuous and only lift 20 lbs but Dan gonna do the heavy & even offered to hold it when I pee...

At least you didn't have to give up your sense of humor.

He should wack me around with a 2x4... maybe feel better. Apparently had a heart attack end of Feb. Chest hurt & couldn't walk from the shop to the warehouse without losing breath. Mrs finally made me go in. Ended up in emergency and 4 days in the hospital. They was saying I was A Fib. Told them to go to hell I was born & raised in WI. Was supposed to get shocked to get heart going right again but then they couldn't do it cause of stroke risk or some baloney. Took some static shocks off the blast cabinet & fired up a horse and grabbed hold of the plug wire... didn't work. So for now they just stood me in a corner and shot pills at me with a sling shot. Month later no better. No faith in doctors at all and VA no help whatsoever. Picked a bad day to quit smokin... and drinkin... and salt.

Looks like the great grandchildren had a good time. I gave my 2 granddaughters a one-pound cholate bunny each. Sugar high is one way to pay back my son.

We finally had a wind free day and boy was it a beautiful day!! Quiet and peaceful with birds singing while burning a brush pile and enjoying the sun!!! It just doesn't get any better!!

Didn't get to play with this tractor much over the weekend. I did find a little time to repurpose an old piston from a weed eater. First up was to make a couple of plugs out of some 5/16" round stock to plug the holes for the wrist pin. After installing the plugs and wrist pin clips, I heated the piston up. While heating the piston with a propane torch, I filled the inside of it with low temp aluminum weld rod. https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-low-temperature-aluminum-welding-rods-44810.html Took a little over 3 rods to fill it to my desired thickness. Now that I had some meat to work with it was time to take it for a spin on the lathe. Drill a 5/16" hole a little over 5/8" deep, then tapped it to 3/8-16. Threaded a 3/8" bolt into the hole & threw it back on the lathe for some polishing. This will now be the shift knob for my puller.

I'll be over here following along. Hopefully you can get this done before us bunch of clowns gets it up around 60 pages.

@WHX??

Since this is turning out to be a resto starting a new thread here. The original thread... Not much progress as some health issues really slowing me up. Some pics and progress by the end of the day right now I gotta try and climb up in the parts shed loft and see if I have a hood for @c-series don.

Not likely, but one needs to have goals.

Kevin... swinging axe.... 911 on speed dial..... good to go!

More long weeds rather than grass but it went through it . 73 Raider 12 with 36" RD deck

Is it a black hood? Or does it have a fiberglass hood? If so I could be a C-161 with the Briggs opposed twin.

Shouldn't need any parts @daveoman1966 but thanks and will keep you in mind I do. For a basket case all parts were ther. She is a roller now. Steering was froze up solid. Fan gear, tie rods, spindles and everthing. I won in the end. Brake & clutch all freed up and workin as should. Hubs ... worst I ever seen. New keyways & crack in one I need to try and weld up. Was going to replace them but their not like standard hubs. Shorter and different diameter for the rim hole. Axles have the key very close to the axle bearing. Standard hub on the left.

Sorry Eric, but it will the the other way around when it's 95 degs and 80 percent humidity this summer!!! Randy

You people that live down closer to the Equator than I do..... I may be just a tiny slight little itty bitty amount envious There's a little red dot inside the blue circle on the map below. That's the peak of Bill Merrill Mountain across the street from me. That red dot means NWS thinks that mountain will get 18 plus inches of snow this week.

If you weren't so far away I'd give you my P220. the stator stopped charging last year and I'm tired of dealing with it! If my old back survives removing it (again), I'm repowering my 520-H. I have a plethora of decent parts for Onans, and two P220 engines that I'm not going to rebuild. Just too expensive!

I used to work on Renaults. I wanted plumbers pay for working on toilets!

Gotta see this one through! Is this something @Achto can solve with what I call a 2 x 4 treatment? In all seriousness, hope it's not too bad!

Yep just ordered one --- keep an eye on yer CC statement make sure the order went thru.... Looks to be dusty mess that a blast cabinets capture. That said I'm not seeing it for the hobbyist or professional. You really can't do internal parts with out disassembly then you might as well take the brake drums to a cab. For the price one could get set up with a commercial grade cab with all the bells and have some left over for outside blast equipment.

@FreeBilly! very close Randy, this one recently was a square hood built by @Pat Marchwick

Ther was a youngun used to run around at shows on a home made wooden one. All made with 2x4s & plywood. @Achto got any pics? I think the kid was related to Al B???

I have owned several 42 and 50 inch wheel horse sickle bar mowers. I have also owned a Haban 414 on a Wheel Horse B-100. Currently, I still have a 50 inch sickle bar on a 1964 1054. The 50 inch for 953/1054 was one inch wider for fit the wider frame (different from the other Eheel Horse tractors). These attachments are very useful but also extremely finicky and must be in good working order to use. Belts, bearings, pulleys and grease, grease, grease. I have also owned and operated the RJ/Suburban CBR-32 front cutter bar and the CBR-327 chain drive front sickle bar. I restored five or six. When operating these side sickle bar mowers you are very, very busy . Shifting gears in the tractor, steering, looking out for obstacles and obstructions, lifting the bar and engaging and disengaging the clutch to run the sickle blades. All in all they operate pretty well. There are also a couple other makers that supplied sickles.

Pulled some trail cams. red fox coyote or bobcat raccoon coyote deer

Not sure….

@PWL216 What size rear wheels? 12" or 15"?

I could maybe handle the $9199, but the "free shipping by air" would have me spending serious money installing the runway.

Same... Painting is sometimes called an art form. For me, it has to be abstract at best! Some turn out decent, and I occasionally get surprised with a good one. But usually they start out great, and as you experienced devolve from there... I do know this: if new paint survives a few weeks, whether rattle can or spray gun, it can be buffed out pretty nice. Curing out (or lack of) seems to be kicker.

My If you want the tractor for the full working potential I think a B&S or Honda transplant could be a good consideration. If you don't NEED the whole 20 HP it would benefit from whatever is readily available.

I bought a 42" RD from @Pullstart a few years back. If I remember correctly, he sent me a picture of the deck on a tractor in the middle of 12" to 18" tall grass with a cut swath behind it. I distinctly remember digging lots of that long grass out of the deck when I got it home.....

I did the stress analysis on the Renault/AMC Alliance base wheel, as one of my early carieer projects. That was one of the first HSLA wheels we produced. The base steel wheel was 3lb lighter than the optional aluminum wheel.

Now who's going !!!!

I’m the first to admit I’m a sinner. I still think I have a chance to get in those gates…

When i painted my deere last year, the fiberglass hood was very straight, I sanded all the old paint off, 2 coats of 1k primer, sanded, wiped with a paint prep cleaner...then 2 coats of green. Whole tractor looked immaculate, it layed with 0 runs, 0 sags, no fisheyes, no orange peel. Then about 4 months later, only on the hood, the paint "bubbled"..like it inflated from below, then a few spots that had done that flaked off. 99.9% of the paint is still perfect. Ill never understand painting

A "classic Renault!" Phasers on stun Spock! Looks pretty cool, dangerous and expensive!

Randy, I took your pictures, did nothing to them but saved them as an image, and posted them as attachments on the Cub forum. They are thumbnails here, so they were already downsized enough to meet that site's image posting requirements. Something to think about when posting images again on the Cub forum site.

That's just cause it's not on a pedal. That would be a game changer.

This morning we attended Easter Services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Their youth choir played the bells as part of the service. There was a very meaningful sermon fitting for our times. I don’t post many personal things, and it may seem a little crazy that my wife is working hard on her Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Degree/License at our age. Over the years she has had a gift as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Professor listening to and helping people in many ways. So her future Counseling is a progression of that gift. She plans to do some part time paid Counseling and volunteer her services to some local non profit groups. My job is to support her To that end I grilled pork chops, squash, mushrooms and made baked potatoes for a filling lunch. She had a course paper to put the finish touches on. She’s only made 1 “B” over her past 4 degrees, so she’s not changing now. So I set up to lap the Wisconsins valves and discovered the machine shop that cut the seats actually lapped the valves. What a nice surprise! So I installed the springs and keepers and for once didn’t loose one. Done, and she was finished to. No pictures as she was using my phone as an internet Hot-Spot So we took a 11 mile round trip bike ride on the city trails with the electric assist bikes. Found a patch of blue bonnets which are a little far north of their normal range This year has been a bumper year for the blue bonnet wild flowers back home. We rode along the river trail to Wichita Falls, “Falls” but their pumps were turned off. The original river falls at this spot we’re washed away in a flood many years ago. These side stream falls were built next to the site of the original Maybe some actual engine assembly pictures tomorrow.

@oliver2-44, I did get some seat time… 2 days after my birthday and of the two wheel kind. Went out for a little ride and entertainment today with a few friends…

Welcome Clayton, this is the nicest group of people you will meet on the internet. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Step by step we can help you get your tractor going. Don’t give up! The 416 is a great tractor that you can get a ton of attachments for.

I adapted one to fit. It worked great, until it didn’t. I think it moved too fast and mostly self destructed.