953 nut 55,218 #1 Posted May 17 Today’s letter is “O” overwhelming needs overseas led to an outstanding small tractor OTA Tractor The Oak Tree Appliances Co. of Coventry England, built a light tractor called the OTA following World War Two. They initially produced 12 prototypes and sent them to farms within the local area to field test them. Farmers found them to be very nimble and quite suitable for their needs. The tractors were powered by a Ford E93A industrial engine which was officially rated at ten horse power but was capable of greater power. British taxation was based on power ratings so many firms under rated their engines. There was a single front wheel which was steered by a cable drive system. A belt driven hydraulic pump provided implement lifting ability via a single acting cylinder. The transmission was a 3-speed Ford gearbox with high and low range resulting in six forward speeds and two reverse. Production of the “Mark 1” began being marketed in 1950, early models had the letters OTA on the cast-aluminum grill. Approximately 280 “Mark 1” tractors were built. The “Mark 2” was basically the same tractor with a sheet metal grill replacing the cast-aluminum one. There are no reliable production numbers for the “Mark 2” or the Singer Monarch tractors. It is said that the British Board of Trade restricted OTA’s materials licenses so severely that they were unable to obtain materials to meet the demand for new tractors. Owing to its financial difficulties OTA ceased doing business in 1953 and the Singer Moror Company gained the rights to their design and trade name. Singer manufactured a modified four-wheeled version of the OTA named the Monarch until 1956. 6 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
