TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 3/10/2024

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Roths Garden Tractor

 

Immediately after World War Two there was a strong demand for motorized lawn and garden equipment and Herbert Roths was eager to meet the need. Roths Industries began manufacturing two wheeled walk-behind garden tractors in 1945 known as the Garden King.

Roths Industries first patent was for the design of an ornamental tractor. (An ornamental design patent only protects the design of a manufactured object, unlike a utility patent which protects the function and operation of an item.) This patent was awarded on June 17, 1947. Their second patent awarded on February 21, 1950 for a garden tractor design which would later become the Roths Garden King walking tractor which went into production in 1945.

The drivetrain known as Steeromatic Control transferred power from a gear reduction gasoline engine to a worm gear drive with Forward/Reverse, Ratchet type differential to a chain drive to each drive wheel. Roths Model-G and BesRo utilized transmissions and other parts from the Garden King.

The BesRo W riding tractor was basically a Garden King Model G walk-behind tractor with the handlebars replaced by a steerable sulky added to the rear. A four wheel BesRo R riding model with the operator forward of the engine was also offered.

 

Roths went into the four-wheel riding garden tractor business in 1958 with two models, the “Country Boy” and the “Little Jef.”  No production records are available but it is believed that production ended in 1960

According to the sales flyer below the Roth Country Boy and its baby brother the Little Jeff, both have “STEEROMATIC CONTROL” which means attachments move exactly as you want them to – with no wide arcs – no removal of plants in cultivating. Complete control over rear working tools at all times!

Roth had an optional lift system referred to as “PARALLELING REAR TOOL LIFT” that was similar to a three-point lift.

They also boasted that the Country Boy and Little Jeff were engineered as close to the ground as it’s feasible for a tractor to get which gives you the greatest possible security. Won’t tip under load since exclusive construction places pulling load ahead of rear axle instead of behind. Keeps front end firmly on ground.