953 nut 55,166 #1 Posted February 18 (edited) Small Three wheeled garden tractors The Hiller Yard Hand isn’t the only small three wheeled garden tractor. Here are a few more you may find interesting. Quaker Mule Earl Gate of Salem OH sold and manufactured accessories for the Roto-Tiller rear tine walk-behind tiller at his Gate Pump and Machine Company following World War Two. As the market for the Roto-Tiller became saturated with too many cheaper brands he decided it was time to build a simple sturdy riding garden tractor to fill a void in the market. The Quaker Mule garden tractor was powered by a single cylinder cast iron eight horsepower P-27 Lauson engine. The rear end and transmission appear to be from a model-A ford though I can’t confirm this. The tractor had turning brakes and a variety of well-crafted implements made by Gate. Production of the Quaker Mule began in 1947 and continued until 1958 Farm Imp The Farm Imp is powered by a Gladden Busy Bee engine. The engine pivots up to tighten the belts for forward and pivots down to a friction wheel clutch for reverse. The jackshaft passed power to an automotive differential and a speed reduction chain drive from it transmitted power to the rear wheels. The most unique feature of the IMP is the ability to move the front wheel to the right side so it and the right rear wheel will be in the furrow when you are plowing. Gladden Busey Bee engine Strunk Chipmunk Garden Tractor The Strunk Chainsaw Company branched out into the Garden tractor market for a couple of years. Located in Coatesville PA, they operated from 1943 to 1988 making great chainsaws. The Chipmunk Garden Tractor weighed only 75 pounds and was powered by a Strunk chainsaw two and a half horsepower engine with a centrifugal clutch and chain drive to the differential. Not likely to do much work but they sure look cute. Sears Craftsman 3-wheel lawn and garden Tractor In 1955 Sears needed a replacement for the Hiller tractor that had served them for the previous two years. A new Craftsman 3-wheeler powered by a Craftsman 2 hp, 2-stroke Power Products engine was selected. I didn’t find any information about the manufacturer. It was a single speed unit designed to pull a reel mower or small cart. It weighs only 110 lbs. The clutch lever connected to a belt tensioner allowed you to go forward, there was no reverse and brakes were optional. Bantam 14 3-wheel garden tractor In spite of their small size the Bantam 14 three-wheel garden tractors are ruggedly built little tractors. This small 1953 Bantam 14 is powered by a 5 hp engine and belt-driven transmission and has a hand-operated clutch. “The cast iron steering wheel was unique to the Bantam. Copar Panzer A 3-wheeler. The Panzer A has the same twin pipe frame found on other Panzer models. An eight horse power Briggs & Stratton Model 23 engine provided the power. The tractor didn’t have the latest transmission engineering. A graduated three pulley set of different diameters mounted on the engine and was connected by a belt to a corresponding set of pullies on a countershaft. To change speeds, you needed to shut off the engine, move the belt to another set of pullies and then proceed with your work, no too convenient! From the countershaft a chain drove the pinion of the differential on the narrowed Chrysler rear end fitted with 6.00 X 16 tires. The Pedals near the rear tires operate turning brakes; a friction disc puts the unit in reverse. About 350 of the three wheeled Model A were produced. We will cover even more three wheeled wonders tomorrow. Edited February 18 by 953 nut 4 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,401 #2 Posted February 18 Until just a few years ago I was mostly unaware of the existence of the tiny sized tractors. At first glance I wondered if they were models or toys. Given my physical stature I'd look ... interesting .... on one. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 562 #3 Posted February 18 12 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Given my physical stature I'd look ... interesting .... on one. I haven't seen a bear on a unicycle in...Ever... Just sayin. I have only seen pictures of these little guys. I am guessing they did not advertise to the 6 foot plus persuasion. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,303 #4 Posted February 18 47 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Given my physical stature I'd look ... interesting .... on one. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,401 #5 Posted February 18 @lynnmor Uhhh. Yessir. That's about right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Streetrodchev 798 #6 Posted February 19 I have this T102 Panzer 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
