953 nut 55,188 #1 Posted April 29 Your friend in the garden, an Amigo Garden Tractor Amigo “The King of Compact Tractors,” according to company advertising, was built from 1959 to 1966 by DEMCO (Design Engineering and Manufacturing Company) of Michigan. Max Hungerford designed the tractor that became the Amigo. His name is on the patent application, dated January 19, 1961, for a garden tractor that needs no belts, chains, or pedals to get power to the rear wheels. A driveshaft inside the main frame “tube” connects the engine to the Amigo-Matic transmission. The tractor has a forward and reverse lever with two forward and one reverse positions. Under the seat is a high-low lever. Using that, a total of four forward and two reverse gears are available to move the tractor from 1 to 8mph. Amigo produced six models ranging in power from 5 HP to 10 HP. Engine suppliers included Kohler, Layson and Wisconsin. The early models were the 77 powered by a Lauson 5 HP engine and the 99 powered by a Kohler 7 HP K-161 engine. With the exception of the engine the two models were identical in all respects. The body featured a cast iron grill, round hood, and optional round rear fenders. The later models were the 990, 1170, 1200 and 1400. The 990 and 1200 were both 7 HP units but the 1200 had Amigo’s new automatic transmission. The 1170 was an 8 HP tractor with manual shift and the 1400 was a ten HP unit with an automatic transmission. All had a newly designed cast iron grill. There are no company records showing production numbers, but the total is thought to be fewer than 2,000. Sporting goods maker American Machine & Foundry (AMF), bought the Amigo company in 1966. DEMCO built the tractors under contract for AMF which introduced cost-saving measures using less expensive materials in the differential gears. That led to gear failures and, within six months, the end of AMF tractor production. The bean-counters did it again. 1 6 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 21,315 #2 Posted April 29 Sounds like it was a great design. Shame that it was ruined save a few bucks. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,316 #3 Posted April 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: AMF which introduced cost-saving measures using less expensive materials in the differential gears. That led to gear failures and, within six months, the end of AMF tractor production. The bean-counters did it again. Been there. Cost Reductions in Automotive Manufacturing are "driven" by the Customer - in the form of negotiated demands. Having worked at a Tier 1 OEM, a typical contract would involve making a certain part for them, per their specs, for 3 to 5 years. We were obliged to lower our cost to them by 10% each year after the first year. So, bye-bye production in America, welcome global economy...... in addition to "cheapening up" some rather critical components.... Textron is another player in that "Acquire & Pilage" field. based in RI. Am I wrong, but didn't AMF own Wheel Horse for a short while before it went to Toro??? Edited April 29 by ri702bill 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,565 #4 Posted April 29 53 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Am I wrong, but didn't AMF own Wheel Horse That was AMC not AMF. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,565 #5 Posted April 29 @WHX?? knows a little but about these Amigo's 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,316 #6 Posted April 29 8 minutes ago, Achto said: That was AMC not AMF. Just about as bad!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,618 #7 Posted April 29 Last year at the annual Turkeyville Tractor show Colt Gollnick was there with just part of his collection of Amigo’s . 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,565 #8 Posted April 29 1 hour ago, ACman said: Not sure I like the way the front 2 tractors are loaded. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,814 #9 Posted April 29 (edited) 1 hour ago, Achto said: Not sure I like the way the front 2 tractors are loaded. Me neither ... double tie downs fer sure... Finally a tractor I know nothing about!!!! Parts??? ... Gotta make them. This one had a messed up splined input shaft but got some creative machining done by a bro of Dan and mine. The transmission is a mind blowing work of art... and a bastage to work on. Planetaries, shift bands for clutch brakes. Sliding shift rails. Lions n tigers n bears oh my... and no service manuals. Mechanical resto but had to build a battery box and used a tray! Jim @oliver2-44 has a fondness. Yep look up Amigo hoarder in the dictionary and there is Mr Gollnicks picture. Beef I have with him he seems unwilling to share info. There is no Amigo forum save his crummy FB page where it's " I'd tell ya but then I'd have to kill ya" mentality. Guess I'm just spoiled with the best red tractor forum on the planet! 161 motor smokes lik a bandito but bore measures & starts good so a re-ring and other love next year. This will be at every show this season so many will get some seat time. It is a blast to drive. Edited April 29 by WHX?? More pics 4 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
