TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 3/6/2024

[953 nut 55,166]

 

Kinkade garden tractors

 

The Kinkade one wheel cultivating tractor was manufactured from 1921 to 1952 in Minneapolis, MN., by American Farm Machinery Co.,

After World War One the industrial revolution saw the migration of young people from the farm to the city, there was a shortage of affordable manpower on the farm. Mechanization was the answer whether it was a big job or small. The Kinkade garden tractor made cultivation of gardens faster and less laborious.

All Kinkade garden tractors were one-wheeled, one-cylinder, air-cooled cultivating tractors. What distinguished them from other one wheel garden tractors was the engine’s location, it was mounted inside a hollow steel wheel. Having  the engine inside the wheel lowers the center of gravity giving the Kinkade great balance and traction but it also subjected the engine to a lot of dirt.

From its beginning in 1921 there was continuous improvement in the design of the engine, frame, and controls. The engine on the 1921 and 1922 models had overhead valves, brass push rod tubes, an external sight-glass for oil level, and brass tubes to the air cleaner and crankcase vent. A brass Schebler carburetor and Danco air cleaner were used. The handles were wood and the operating controls were brass.

The 1923 to 1927 Kinkade models featured an improved engine crankcase, a Zenith carburetor, F Head engine and an improved engine cooling fan. The 1921 to 1927 engines had a gear driven magneto or battery ignition offered.

The model “K” Kinkade from 1928 to 1935 was a vast improvement over its predecessors. Engine flywheel cooling rather than a separate fan was used, a shaft driven magneto,  a Tillotson carburetor and a one piece crankcase were used.

The Model “L” from 1936 to 1952 saw the end of the wooden handles, new steel tubular handles replaced them. The drive wheel was wider with pyramid lugs instead of the straight cross bars. The greatly improved L Head engine had an enclosed cooling shroud, valve lifters and improved lubrication system.

Yalding to market pressures the Kinkade Suburbanite was produced from 1950 to 1952. It was a smaller inexpensive homeowner one wheel tractor operated by a two-cycle engine and had rubber lugs rather than cast iron. This model was a failure and hurt the reputation of the company.

The Kinkade filled a need at the time but their thirty year run was over.

This testimonial appeared in June 22, 1922 in the Florists’ Review #23

A small tractor and power cultivator, which has a clutch control and carries the engine inside the large bull or traction wheel, is found in the Kinkade, manufactured by the American Farm Machinery Co., Minneapolis, Minn. "It is a wonderful machine for its size and easily does the work of three men operating hand machines," says C. A. Brazee, wholesale florist and bulb grower, of Wilmington. Cal. "It hoes and cultivates much deeper than a hand machine and makes work a pleasure. I can easily operate it in rows one foot apart, and it is so simple that a boy can operate it. It is strongly con- structed, requiring little or no adjustment, and is always ready for work. Above all, it really does the work."

 

 

[JoeM 7,873]

Love the concept of the Kinkade one wheel machine. Seems like a great design for today's small garden.

But I can't help seeing that old front tine machine, sitting there in the pic, and thinking it is just there saying "thought you got rid of me, didn't ya?" 

I called it "Killer Tiller"

[953 nut 55,166]

17 minutes ago, JoeM said:

"Killer Tiller"

We had an old front tine tiller when I was in my teens. That thing would work you harder in one hour than loading hay all day.

[JoeM 7,873]

1 minute ago, 953 nut said:

That thing would work you harder in one hour than loading hay all day

exactly 

[WHX?? 48,813]

Seen at Portage Show '21. 

Very detailed resto.