DennisThornton 4,769 #1 Posted February 9, 2021 I can't remember seeing tracks extended to the rear AND towards the front but not including the front. FORDSON TRACTOR WITH HADFIELD-PENFIELD RIGID-RAIL MODEL X TRACKS (1926), ED BEZANSON PHOTO 8 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,812 #2 Posted February 9, 2021 I saw that exact setup the other day... but a little different! 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #3 Posted February 9, 2021 16 minutes ago, pullstart said: I saw that exact setup the other day... but a little different! Neat. I hate 4-link chains so I'm not sure I'd enjoy the ride. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #4 Posted February 9, 2021 2 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,812 #5 Posted February 9, 2021 7 minutes ago, DennisThornton said: so at that point, what’s the use of the steer tires? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #6 Posted February 9, 2021 2 7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #7 Posted February 9, 2021 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #8 Posted February 9, 2021 5 minutes ago, pullstart said: so at that point, what’s the use of the steer tires? I can't see that they would do much other than hold the front up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,275 #9 Posted February 9, 2021 Wow, how do they even come up whit this stuff, crazy btw: alittle bit i found on model t 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #10 Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Maxwell-8 said: Wow, how do they even come up whit this stuff, crazy btw: alittle bit i found on model t That would have been a marvelous item to have back when with roads were poor and barely maintenance! I would also want a cab roof though. Really neat video! More parts. Here's the next: Edited February 9, 2021 by DennisThornton 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #11 Posted February 9, 2021 dennis , thanks for the heads up on those early trackers , remember that there was nothing stopping anyone from experimenting , other then availability of parts to make something up. necessity is the mother of invention , Canadians did a similar thing to have a closed snow machine , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #12 Posted February 9, 2021 26 minutes ago, peter lena said: dennis , thanks for the heads up on those early trackers , remember that there was nothing stopping anyone from experimenting , other then availability of parts to make something up. necessity is the mother of invention , Canadians did a similar thing to have a closed snow machine , pete Be sure the watch the rest of Maxwell-8 post. Several in the series and a really good show of the build. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #13 Posted February 9, 2021 Home made all steel track for rubber tires. From the video just posted by Maxwell-8. Grade 80 links but of course welding them alters the temper. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #14 Posted February 9, 2021 This performs better than I would have thought. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,812 #15 Posted February 9, 2021 2 hours ago, DennisThornton said: Reminds me of Big Lizzie! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #16 Posted February 9, 2021 Pretty interesting build. Another different approach to driving rubber tracks. I wonder how long they will hold up before the pressed out holes fail. Maybe twin holes? More? Spring loaded too! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #17 Posted February 9, 2021 rube goldberg ?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #18 Posted February 9, 2021 7 minutes ago, JoeM said: rube goldberg ?? Search : fordson track tractor howard The following was received from Des Wootton who grew up in Sulgrave: RE: YOUR PHOTOGRAPH This is a Fordson Standard Tractor. Converted by Rotary Hoes Ltd., later called 'Howard'. The rear wheels were called Rotopad. The machine was used for cutting trenches in which originally were laid clay pipes for land drainage. These machines were developed over the years, certainly until the late 60s at which time they would be laying continuous plastic pipe, which of course is still used in land drainage today. Regards, Des Wootton Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,993 #19 Posted February 9, 2021 Is this thread meant to be an inspiration for somebody's next custom build? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #20 Posted February 9, 2021 21 minutes ago, 8ntruck said: Is this thread meant to be an inspiration for somebody's next custom build? I thought I was being ever so subtle... But YES!! I hope so! Won't be me in the very near future unless the stars REALLY align just right. Too many other things to get to like Roofs Over my Herd! Got chickens inside and but horses still outside! Horses are next. There is another project I'd like to do something with but I need to gather pictures first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,329 #21 Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, 8ntruck said: Is this thread meant to be an inspiration for somebody's next custom build? Certainly something that me and The Paint Department have been talking about once in awhile..... Those Ford model T's with the back tracks and the front ski. Those were VERY popular in rural Maine for delivering mail and of course many other things... Owls Head Transportation Museum owns one and it's on permanent display. Very interesting machines. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldskool 6,640 #22 Posted February 9, 2021 In this neck of the woods a conversion for the WHs would be great. Same idea. Carved hardwood skies and all. I have seen several videos of the black model T that Dennis posted. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oldskool 6,640 #23 Posted February 9, 2021 22 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Certainly something that me and The Paint Department have been talking about once in awhile..... Those Ford model T's with the back tracks and the front ski. Those were VERY popular in rural Maine for delivering mail and of course many other things... Owls Head Transportation Museum owns one and it's on permanent display. Very interesting machines. If you get up this way again you should check this out. https://www.colemuseum.org/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #24 Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Certainly something that me and The Paint Department have been talking about once in awhile..... Those Ford model T's with the back tracks and the front ski. Those were VERY popular in rural Maine for delivering mail and of course many other things... Owls Head Transportation Museum owns one and it's on permanent display. Very interesting machines. I would have thought that they would have been the cat's meow back then! Today with most roads getting cleared with big trucks has diminished the need but I'd still like to have one and I'd think they would still be very handy on large farms and ranches that get snowed in. Edited February 9, 2021 by DennisThornton 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,329 #25 Posted February 9, 2021 7 minutes ago, Oldskool said: If you get up this way again you should check this out. https://www.colemuseum.org/ You are absolutely correct. Driven by it a good many times trucking and always wondered..... We would actually have a legitimate use for a track / ski machine for moving firewood. We have plenty of wood to make the skis. I guess it would depend on what it takes to make a set of tracks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites