953 nut 51,770 #1 Posted February 1 Gibson Mfg. Corp. The Gibson Model A Tractor was manufactured in Longmont Colorado. It was a very sturdy small tractor powered by a six horsepower Wisconsin air cooled engine. The Gibson Model A and its successors, the model D and SD, had a mechanical implement lift. The Model “D” followed the “A” in 1948, featuring 22-inch rear tires. Next was the Model “SD,” which weighed more than 1,000 pounds and had fenders, a hood and the distinctive chevron cut-out Gibson grill. All three of these first models were lever steered— push the lever forward to turn left, and pull it back to go right. The addition of a real steering wheel was the prominent feature of the next model, the “Super D,” and optional hydraulics and electric starter and lights were also available. The “Super D2” had a two-cylinder, 12-horsepower Wisconsin air-cooled engine, weighed 1,375 pounds, and rolled on 7, 8 or 9.00 x 24 rear tires and 4.00 x 12 fronts. The Gibson series E tractors had the same 12-hp engine, tire sizes and other features as the “Super D2,” but was available as the Model “EF.” The Model “E,” with a tricycle front end, the Model “EWF” had the the conventional wide front. The series “E” were a two plow tractor. In 1948, Gibson introduced its,” the two-plow Model “H” and the 2-3-plow Model “I.” The H powered by a Hercules 4-cylinder engine, while the I had a Hercules 6-cylinder. Both had four-speed transmissions, electric starters and hydraulic lift as standard equipment, as well as a standard power take-off. Gibson having difficulty competing with larger manufacturers like IHC, Deere and Case. Gibson was doing very well building forklifts for the U.S. Navy at the time and decided it was time to sell the tractor operation. In 1952 Helene Curtis, Inc. of Chicago bought the Gibson company which became a division of Fox Metal products of Denver, Colorado, however no tractors were ever produced there. When Gibson went out of business all production records were burned in the company’s parking lot. 3 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,647 #2 Posted February 1 I can see the next time I am at a steam/tractor show i need to take more time and get pics of the machines and the info cards. Looking back I have passed up some jewels of machines. One amazing take away, small companies seem to get gobbled up by the big ones. I suppose the one old guy I worked for had it right, to win in business you either out preform or eliminate the completion. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,573 #3 Posted February 1 (edited) Once again my family's collection contains an example of today's subject. Gibson was also manufactured in Seattle WA. One side of the rear axle on ours has Longmont cast into the top, the other side has Seattle cast into it. Gibson's main color was gray & red or just red but I've seen them in a few colors. Ours is green & yellow, all paint appears to be original. Here is a picture of our Gibson. @WHX?? has a Gibson as well. Any pictures Jim?? Edited February 1 by Achto 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,811 #4 Posted February 1 (edited) 1 hour ago, Achto said: . Any pictures Jim?? Yep... still crying about this tho... 7 hours ago, 953 nut said: When Gibson went out of business all production records were burned in the company’s parking lot. Mine is a '49 model D. It was given to me by a nephew who was moving. I haven't done anything with it yet but plan to this year. A PO put a battery on it as the magneto is toast. 400 to get it rebuilt. Transmission has got issues and lots of work to be done on snapped clutch bracket castings. Front wheels are those cheap auto spares. In other words it had a hard life. I have a moldboard plow and a spring tooth for it. You didn't tell about your axle Dan... another. Quite a FB following on Gibsons and parts are out there. I've rode Dan's and they are a blast and steer quite easy. Edited February 1 by WHX?? 2 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #5 Posted February 1 Another excellent writeup Richard. @WHX?? If you have any photos showing the steering mechanism I'd be interested. 2 hours ago, WHX?? said: I've rode Dan's and they are a blast and steer quite easy. Have you driven any other lever steers? I'm wondering about comparisons to other brands and what may differ from one to another. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,573 #6 Posted February 1 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: If you have any photos showing the steering mechanism I'd be interested. If you look at this picture of Jim's, your pretty much looking at all there is to see. 4 hours ago, WHX?? said: That arm sticking up on the right hand side connects to a drag link on the lower end. The drag link leads to an arm off from the right hand spindle. The right & left hand spindles are joined by a tie rod. Not much to it. 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: I'm wondering about comparisons to other brands and what may differ from one to another. I've put a fair amount of time in the seat of our Gibson and have driven a Sr. lever steer. Both are about the same - A little hard to turn the wheels while sitting still, steer with one finger on the stick once moving. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,811 #7 Posted February 1 (edited) Yep I have driven Kev's lever senior and Rob Bush's lever Pond. Dan pretty much nailed it... 33 minutes ago, Achto said: little hard to turn the wheels while sitting still, steer with one finger on the stick once moving. I wouldn't want to plow all day tho... 2 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Another excellent writeup Richard Yes thank you Richard... now you just need to bring back on this day... 20231021_104306.mp4 Edited February 1 by WHX?? 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,770 #8 Posted February 1 5 minutes ago, WHX?? said: now you just need to bring back on this day. Jim, be my guest,. The year I did the "On this Day" posts my wife had some major surgery and I had a lot of house time so found it rather interesting to do. Biggest problem is there are some days of the year where nothing really interesting happened except bad stuff and I didn't want to cover negative events. Now I'm not getting any shop time while I go to PT three days a week and little more. I find tractor trivia much more interesting and with the exception of tomorrow's post they aren't date specific. The most fascinating thing is how one quest branches out to information you never even thought of looking for. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #9 Posted February 2 Appreciate the answers boys. Still mulling on the steering system for my Big Wheel Tractor. The only caveat to a lever steer I can come up with is ease of use. Our terrain is pretty unforgiving in some areas but ok for the most part. My left arm lever will be a hand clutch using the original lift arm. No left foot clutch pedal due to lack of space. Right foot will still be a brake. My big concern is my lack of muscular endurance for using the right arm as the exclusive steering mechanism. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,811 #10 Posted February 2 24 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: My big concern is my lack of muscular endurance for using the right arm Oh come on sally it's not that bad... 26 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: my Big Wheel Tractor. Is this the famed Tractor? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #11 Posted February 2 34 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Oh come on sally it's not that bad... I'd agree in principle but this body pain fibromyalgia crap limits me sometimes. 34 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Is this the famed Tractor? Yeah bud. Dat it. 😅 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,811 #12 Posted February 2 Blame it on @19richie66 for all your problems then ... works for me... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,954 #13 Posted February 2 I will accept this blame and help carry the burden…. Besides, at least Eric hasn’t parted it out yet. Mine is getting ready to be stripped down and put on shelves and in parts bins. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #14 Posted February 2 15 minutes ago, 19richie66 said: Eric hasn’t parted it out yet For the record I've thought about using the engine and wheels/ tires on other things. BBT and I "talked it over"... She firmly and without negotiation told me that Colossus parts are strictly for that machine. Who am I to argue? 🤪 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,174 #15 Posted February 2 7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: She firmly and without negotiation told me that Colossus parts are strictly for that machine. Who am I to argue? So... get... moving'... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #16 Posted February 2 4 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said: So... get... moving'... Patience boy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 10,630 #17 Posted February 3 20 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Who am I to argue? Only a fool would. In my experience you are occasionally foolish, but not a fool. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
