953 nut 55,165 #1 Posted February 28 The Happy Farmer Tractor. Undeterred by the failure of his “Bull Tractor Company”, D. Maurice Hartsough took advantage of lessons learned in his previous venture. Hartsough designed another three-wheeled tractor with two equally sized drive wheels at the rear giving the tractor greater stability than the Bull tractors had. In late 1915 he started the Happy Farmer Tractor Co. The first 500 Happy Farmers were built by Wilcox Motor Co. and the next 1,500 by Sta-Rite Engine Co. in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. In 1916 Sta-Rite and Happy Farmer merged forming the LaCross Tractor Co., keeping the Happy Farmer name for their tractors. With the manufacturing under his control Hartsough could grow his business. In 1916 and 1918, Happy Farmer offered the 8-16 Model A and the 12-24 Model B, both used a Lacrosse horizontal two-cylinder engine and were known for their maneuverability. 1n 1919 the model G with a wide front axle was introduced. Following World War One a short economic depression swept the country. By 1922 the Happy Farmer and many other small manufacturers closed their doors. Tomorrow I will share some information about the agricultural depression following World War One. 6 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,311 #2 Posted February 28 Hmmm... $1250 clams for a Model G was a LOT of money over a hundred years ago. Still is today to me! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,206 #4 Posted February 28 Small detail, but I noticed the mud scraper on the front wheel! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,605 #5 Posted February 28 @953 nut always marveled at the mechanical simplicity , on the early anything , basically there was a need , that had to be taken care of . glad for the ZAGREY FARM SHOW , very often seeing , sensing , feeling the hands on of such a mechanical piece . talk about BOMBPROOF ! if there, was, were failure points , frequently going decades , with little maintenance . really **** the FORDSON tractors , PERFECT transition from / farm to car like set up . time traveler . oily pete 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 562 #6 Posted February 28 Very interesting! Nice windsock air cleaner 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,165 #7 Posted February 29 9 hours ago, Handy Don said: Small detail, but I noticed the mud scraper on the front wheel! That probably was an owner modification because it is not shown in the advertising illustrations. 59 minutes ago, Treepep said: Very interesting! Nice windsock air cleaner Illustrations show a high snorkel for the air intake. 9 hours ago, peter lena said: @953 nut always marveled at the mechanical simplicity , on the early anything , basically there was a need , that had to be taken care of . glad for the ZAGREY FARM SHOW , very often seeing , sensing , feeling the hands on of such a mechanical piece . talk about BOMBPROOF ! if there, was, were failure points , frequently going decades , with little maintenance . really **** the FORDSON tractors , PERFECT transition from / farm to car like set up . time traveler . oily pete I think that worm gear on the steering could could use a little grease, what do you think? 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,206 #8 Posted February 29 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: I think that worm gear on the steering could could use a little grease, what do you think? Agreed, but as a museum piece it wouldn’t be as pretty. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #9 Posted February 29 Like the sound of the Engine in the Vid. seems not really loud but good „background noise“ with a nice rhythmic. Think it was not undesirable, the steering was a little stiffer on the front wormgear. So you be able to let the Tracta running along a field and do some cowork aside while it run‘s. At the timeline where this Tractas being used Safety rules may could a little differs to now. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
