What Exactly Do I Have Here?

[D_Mac 8,593]

I am starting this here because I would like to know just what I have here. I saved this tractor from becoming scrap metal. With a little bit of tinkering I have it running and driving under its own power. Now I would like to know exactly what I have. It is cobbled together from parts of many different tractors. I am really curious about its drive train as I have never seen any of these parts on any type of tractor. The rear end and frame I believe to be Speedex. The transmission ??? The thing in front of the transmission ??? The tag in the picture is for that part, sits under the steering wheel. Alling- Landers.  Any help would be great. Like to know what they are and whats their purpose.

Edited April 16, 2020 by D_Mac

[ZXT 2,401]

That transmission looks an awful lot like a BW 3 speed out of a Jeep or a Studebaker. 

 

You can tell that it's definitely automotive by the front bearing retainer and bolts for the bell housing.

Edited April 16, 2020 by ZXT

[D_Mac 8,593]

yes I google the T96-1 that is stamped on it. is it really a automobile transmission?

[ZXT 2,401]

1 minute ago, D_Mac said:

yes I google the T96-1 that is stamped on it. is it really a automobile transmission?

Yes, it is definitely a automobile transmission. I have one of them in a Jeep. Bearing retainer has the snout for a throwout bearing to slide on, and the transmission has the ears to mount it to a bell housing. 

[D_Mac 8,593]

Is it common for a tractor to have a automobile tranny? and the thing in front, is that a gear reducer? and whats its purpose?

[ZXT 2,401]

9 hours ago, D_Mac said:

Is it common for a tractor to have a automobile tranny? and the thing in front, is that a gear reducer? and whats its purpose?

I've not seen that transmission used in anything other than automotive applications. The thing in front is probably a reducer.. Might also be the opposite. It's purpose is to bring the transmission to a usable RPM.

 

All looks pretty home made to me.. Transmission should be hell for stout.

Edited April 16, 2020 by ZXT

[D_Mac 8,593]

Yes it is all homemade, Just trying to figure it out. Never seen anything like it. I got it from a guy who purchased a house and this was left behind. Sat outside. The gentleman said the previous owner was an elderly man who liked to tinker with everything. What was going through his head building this. I have no idea but Im glad he built it. Im beginning to wonder if its worth more in parts then all together. Not that I would ever do that.

Edited April 16, 2020 by D_Mac

[8ntruck 6,991]

The item in front of the transmission looks to me like it might be a worm gear box, as the input shaft from the engine is at 90 degrees and offset to the output shaft going into the transmission.

[D_Mac 8,593]

makes sence . Wonder why the shaft coming out of the tranny wasnt used. Put a pully on that run a belt to engine.

[8ntruck 6,991]

A couple other observations and questions:

 

I wonder what the roller chain around the inside flange of the right rear wheel is for?

Is the final drive to the rear axle a chain drive or a gear drive? 

I like the chain drive on the shifting levers.

There does not appear to be any sort of differential.

If you ever get it operational, you might want to install some sort of guard over the coupling in front of the transmission.

[D_Mac 8,593]

All good question wish I knew the answers. The chain around the rear wheel I have no idea what its purpose was. On this tractor is dosnt do anything. Its just there. The beveled gear drive to the wheel but I am not sure about Speedex rear end.I assume there is a chain under that cover. Shifting levers, 3 speed. Small lever to outside is forward 1st gear, pull it back, reverse. Inside lever, forward 3rd gear, pull it back 2nd gear. It does run and drive just fine. A little hard to start but once running it runs strong. Need to get a new carb or soak this one. Im hoping others will throw their 2 cents in.

[ebinmaine 67,268]

5 hours ago, D_Mac said:

beginning to wonder if its worth more in parts then all together. Not that I would ever do that

Not in my eyes..

What you have there is a piece of mechanical engineering history.

 

A shop made tractor purpose built by someone for their own use.

Could be for a specific task.

Could be because they like to use what they had on hand. 

Could be simply because they like to build things with seemingly no purpose to those other than themselves.

 

Best way to find info is bring it to shows when you can let folks ask or tell info.

You'll be surprised what folks you've never met will share around an old  tractor/truck/car/hot rod....

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

Keep her as is and run it!

 

So cool!

 

[Achto 27,502]

9 hours ago, D_Mac said:

Is it common for a tractor to have a automobile tranny

 

I agree with the home built conclusion. A very cool home built!!

 

Auto parts were used quite often on early production garden tractors. People started out building something in their garage to use, then ended up selling it, building another one, etc, etc. A company is born. Panzers used Dodge rear axles, Economy used Ford axles & tranny's, Gibson used a GM tranny, all to ease the build and make sure that parts were available for repairs. Instead of being a top load shifter, your transmission must have required a separate shifter with linkage when it was used in an auto, this is why you have 2 separate sticks to shift it. Some of my dirt track racing friends use old GM 3 speeds in their cars and opt to go with two separate shifters to avoid the chance of linkage binding.  

[D_Mac 8,593]

I would never take it apart, I like it as is. In fact I love it as is. Im going to try and borrow a power washer and see if I can blast off some of that caked on grease and dirt. Scrapped a lot of it off but still pretty dirty. Everyone asks about the chain around the inside rim on rear wheel. I have no answer for that. It has no purpose on this build. Anyone know why a rim would have a chain on it? Also the disc on the right hand side coming off that gear reducer / worm drive is actually the brake. When I first seen it I though that when you put tension on it that is was the drive. In fact it is the opposite, it is the brake. I am learning something new about it every time I go look at it. Its going to need some work done. I notice the wheels have a little wobble to them. Going to have a look as to why. I keep saying I am not much of a mechanic and I think this creature needs someone who is LOL hard to repair something when you dont know what it is or what i does !

Edited April 16, 2020 by D_Mac

[Pullstart 62,785]

You’ve got yourself a gold mine, in my eyes! It looks like the air cleaner and fuel tank move with the hood.  Does that snorkel really seal well to the carb snout when the hood is closed?

 

 I know I’ll catch hell again from the Jims in my life for this, but if you have an air compressor, you can build a little pressure washer with some tubing and a bucket.  Spray some WD40 or any penetrating oil, diesel fuel, etc. and use a wire brush to break stuff loose, then wash it away with some soapy water or simple green diluted 

 

 

[D_Mac 8,593]

7 minutes ago, pullstart said:

You’ve got yourself a gold mine, in my eyes! It looks like the air cleaner and fuel tank move with the hood.  Does that snorkel really seal well to the carb snout when the hood is closed?

 

 

 

Well yes it does seal up pretty good. I will post a photo when I go out there later today. There is a power washer at my mothers house, I just need to go get it. I could also use a good helper like you have ! My mother lives in Webster you may have went by her house when you were here! If you are ever back here bring your portable welder with you, This thing needs a place to put your left foot. I would also like to remove that bracket between the wheels. I dont see its purpose and its in the way. I would love to see what you would do with it. You have the knowledge, tools, and imagination to take it to a whole new level.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

there's a cult following of homebuilt tractors, there are numerous plans from old magazines on what was needed to assemble your own tractor.  it's worth more as whole than in parts, but it's a matter of finding that collector that wants it.  cleaning it up making it functional and running is your best option.  do not paint leave as original as possible.  it's a folk art piece of old era 

[ebinmaine 67,268]

4 minutes ago, jabelman said:

there's a cult following of homebuilt tractors, there are numerous plans from old magazines on what was needed to assemble your own tractor.  it's worth more as whole than in parts, but it's a matter of finding that collector that wants it.  cleaning it up making it functional and running is your best option.  do not paint leave as original as possible.  it's a folk art piece of old era 

 

 

 

Nailed it. I agree 100%.

 

 

 

To me that's kind of like a miniature version of what we in New England Forest would call a doodlebug.

Somebody would take an old vehicle like a one ton truck and get rid of the cab. Shorten it up. Wrap chains around the duels. Put a bunch of weight on it somewhere. Pull logs.

 

Instant baby skidder.

 

Something about a home-built skidder, tractor, doodlebug, whatever you want to call it. They have fascinated me to no end for as long as I can remember.

 

[clueless 2,976]

Don't have a clue what it is, but with all that going on in front and below the seat with no cover, I wouldn't call it a nut roaster. More a nut crusher . #strapumuptight.

Edited April 16, 2020 by clueless

[ebinmaine 67,268]

4 minutes ago, clueless said:

Don't have a clue what it is, but with all that going on in front and below the seat with no cover, I wouldn't call it a nut roaster. More a nut crusher . #strapumuptight.

 

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,490]

9 minutes ago, clueless said:

Don't have a clue what it is, but with all that going on in front and below the seat with no cover, I wouldn't call it a nut roaster. More a nut crusher . #strapumuptight.

 

Yea - I'm thinking you may want to invest in some type of top guard over the whole mess going on under the seat... Perhaps use a few old metal "mixed nut" cans... 

[ebinmaine 67,268]

1 minute ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

 

Yea - I'm thinking you may want to invest in some type of top guard over the whole mess going on under the seat... Perhaps use a few old metal "mixed nut" cans... 

Oh wow....

[diesel cowboy 263]

The Speedex rear is just a huge differential with gears in it.  Here's a picture of it out of the brochure for a 1630 model

 

The T-96 trans. I believe was also used in the Shaw Du-All tractors.  A quick google search for Alling-Landers shows they're still in business and they make gear reducers

[edgro 677]

https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2016/04/30/roadog-lives-at-the-national-motorcycle-museum/

Maybe made by a creative person such as this guy, wild bill