953 nut 55,224 #1 Posted January 22 Mail-order Tractors In 1931 Sears marketed an Economy tractor built by Parrett Tractor. In 1937, Sears contracted with the Peru Wheel Co., Peru, Ill., to build a tractor for them. Peru proposed a plan using rebuilt Ford Model A engines. The frame and most of the castings were to be produced in house. The Economy’s transmission was a standard Model A 3-speed with only a slight change in the shifting lever to make it easier for the driver to shift gears. The transmission is connected through a short drive shaft to a speed reduction unit that reduces ground speed in third gear to 3.5 mph. Sears marketed its New Economy tractor in 1938, but as with many new products, it had a few flaws. The major problem was that the over-the-hood steering shaft connected to open-gear steering located at the front of the tractor, quite like that on the Farmall F-12 – but the Farmall used a closed worm gear. The Economy’s front end gearing was very light duty, and dust and dirt collected in the grease of the open gears at the top, causing hard steering. Worse, the front wheel steering stops were weak. If they broke off, the front wheels could turn a full 90 degrees, a less than satisfactory development. By 1939, the entire steering mechanism had been changed. Instead of the over-the-hood steering rod, a different steering gear box was located near the transmission with a steering rod going forward to a steering box over the front wheel. The Economy used a hardened steel worm gear completely enclosed and running in oil. The new gearbox had adjustable roller bearings to allow for proper adjustment. Otherwise, the tractor was virtually the same. Sears offered its Economy tractor without an engine and transmission (but with a radiator and 4-blade fan) for farmers who might have a suitable Ford Model A engine and transmission on hand. However, the company recommended the buyer purchase a governor, fan belt, carburetor, and air cleaner. Sears also offered a complete belt pulley arrangement and PTO, as well as headlights for night work. In a 1939 ad, Sears offered “a 2-plow tractor at 1-plow tractor cost.” The tractor sold for $495 (about $7,600 in today’s terms); the buyer paid freight from the factory near LaSalle, Ill. About 500 Economy tractors were built in 1938-39, most of which were sold in 1939. Not a bad deal for a not-half-bad tractor. 9 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #2 Posted January 22 Correct me if I'm wrong @Achto but the 3rd and last pics. Isn't that the guy that travels all over the US with a trailer load of Sears and other stuff... seen at our shows? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,571 #3 Posted January 22 (edited) 20 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Isn't that the guy that travels all over the US with a trailer load of Sears Yes it is. The last picture shows the only tractor that he unloads at a show. Edited January 22 by Achto 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #4 Posted January 22 2 minutes ago, Achto said: only tractor that he unloads at a show. Lol wished I had a pic of the whole trailer. Just packed with stuff that you can't even tell what it is. If you didn't know any better looks like a load of scrap steel. He just parks the trailer and there's his display! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Streetrodchev 798 #5 Posted January 22 4 hours ago, WHX?? said: Correct me if I'm wrong @Achto but the 3rd and last pics. Isn't that the guy that travels all over the US with a trailer load of Sears and other stuff... seen at our shows? He is from Appleton, WI and has even pulled that trailer load to Alaska a couple times. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,224 #6 Posted January 22 (edited) 5 hours ago, WHX?? said: Lol wished I had a pic of the whole trailer. Just packed with stuff that you can't even tell what it is. If you didn't know any better looks like a load of scrap steel. He just parks the trailer and there's his display! Here yo go Jim and Dan Edited January 22 by 953 nut 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #7 Posted January 22 (edited) 2 hours ago, Streetrodchev said: He is from Appleton, WI Thank you Jeff & Richard. I thought he was from down south somewhere. He probably hauls it to shows down there then that's where I got it from. He certainly gets around. Not exactly a utility trailer either! Where did you see it at Richard? Edited January 22 by WHX?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,224 #8 Posted January 22 3 hours ago, WHX?? said: Thank you Jeff & Richard. I thought he was from down south somewhere. He probably hauls it to shows down there then that's where I got it from. He certainly gets around. Not exactly a utility trailer either! Where did you see it at Richard? The Sears man has been a regular at the October show in Asheville NC. I also remember seeing his display at the Florida Flywheeler Show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
