World’s shortest semi-tractor (truck)

[wh500special 2,170]

This has been sitting in the same spot in Nashville, IL for at least 15 years and I finally stopped to get a picture of it on my way home from the American Thresherman show this afternoon. 
 

I assume it was for tugging manufactured homes around as it has a hitch ball on the back, but I’ve never seen another shorty like it.  

 

Bizarre. 
 

Steve 

[ebinmaine 67,422]

VERY interesting piece. 

 

Could've also been an airport tug or parking lot donkey of some sort.  

 

[Mickwhitt 4,617]

Shame the writing on the cab door has faded, may have given a clue.

Interesting machine though. Such a shame things are kept to rot away.

A lot of farms over here buy equipment and then it sits in a field to rot when the next new toy arrives. 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Mickwhitt
Update

[ebinmaine 67,422]

3 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

Shame the writing on the cab door has faded, may have given a clue.

Interesting machine though. Such a shame things are kept to rot away.

A lot of farms over here buy equipment and then it sits in a field to rot when the next new toy arrives. 

Agreed.  

 

Same mindset here. 

I like new toys just as much as the next person but I'd as soon keep both new and old running.  

[ri702bill 8,316]

Yup - looks like an "Aluminum Room" (mobil home) tractor.

Here in the Ocean State, we occaisionally see something similar - used for Boat Hauling....

Bill

[JoeM 7,873]

Would make a bad ass wheelie machine! 

Pullstart here ya go

[ebinmaine 67,422]

11 minutes ago, Joey Small Block said:

Would make a bad ass wheelie machine! 

Pullstart here ya go

Like he needs any ideas!!!! 

[Lee1977 6,656]

Those were used to pull house trailers.  Back when the tractor and the trailer had length requirements. Then they changed to just the length of the trailer and they were no longer needed. Don't know when the change was made.

I do know when North Carolina allowed 70 FT.  house trailers that was in 1972.  I was working for a double wide trailer company and drew some of the first 70 FT. 4 bed room double wides.

[lynnmor 7,305]

7 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

Such a shame things are kept to rot away.

A lot of farms over here buy equipment and then it sits in a field to rot when the next new toy arrives. 

 

Same thing in Pennsylvania, the waste is unbelievable.  My thought is that the tax system and subsidies are the cause of much of the waste.  In my school age years I worked on some of the nearby farms using old equipment that did the job, the old farmers couldn't believe how others could justify buying expensive new equipment.   One farmer, that is now retired, sold the farm to the Amish who are doing quite well with mule power.

[Lee1977 6,656]

It's either pay the taxes or buy the equipment and right it off. Problem is a couple of bad years and the bank sells it all off including the farm.

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

On 8/19/2023 at 8:48 PM, wh500special said:

This has been sitting in the same spot in Nashville, IL for at least 15 years and I finally stopped to get a picture of it on my way home from the American Thresherman show this afternoon. 
 

I assume it was for tugging manufactured homes around as it has a hitch ball on the back, but I’ve never seen another shorty like it.  

 

Bizarre. 
 

Steve 

airport tug?

[Rick3478 428]

On 8/20/2023 at 9:20 AM, Lee1977 said:

Those were used to pull house trailers.  Back when the tractor and the trailer had length requirements. Then they changed to just the length of the trailer and they were no longer needed. Don't know when the change was made.

I do know when North Carolina allowed 70 FT.  house trailers that was in 1972.  I was working for a double wide trailer company and drew some of the first 70 FT. 4 bed room double wides.

The short wheelbase and turn radius also helped to back trailers into some difficult spots.