TRACTOR TRIVIA and other interesting stuff 4/1/2024

[953 nut 51,940]

Wooden tractor

 

This is not an April Fools posting, this article was actually printed.

Some of the writers at Mechanix Illustrated must have had a rather strange sense of humor or been under the influence of something when this article was proposed. World War Two was a tough time to get your hands on metal. So, this tractor was made from wood. Get out your circular saw and let the sawdust fly and in no time, you’ll have a tractor!

 @formariz could probably build one of these tractors in no time.

 

BABY TRACTOR For Odd Jobs from the pages of Mechanix Illustrated, October 1941

By no means a mere toy, this little tractor has ample power and maneuverability to perform all sorts of light tasks.

Any small gasoline engine geared low- enough will develop considerable pull in this junior tractor and a handy boy not only should have a lot of fun with it, but may be able to pick up various odd jobs of hauling and towing in the neighborhood. It can be used to pull small loads of dirt, gravel or rubbish, or tow two or three coaster wagons full of youngsters. It is geared to travel as fast as a brisk walk and is designed to runover rough or soft ground as well as on the sidewalk.

The large drive wheels are very simply made. Two 20-in. disks are built up of 3/4-in. x 7-in. boards cleated on the inside, as shown in Fig. 2. The tire is a 6-in. wide strip of heavy galvanized sheet iron with cross treads nailed over it. A section of brass tube serves as a hub. The wheel turns on a 3/4-in.cold-rolled steel axle. It is highly important that the hub, which is driven in to a tight fit, be accurately centered and true in the wood disks. The driving load is carried by carriage bolts through V-pulley and one side of the wheel.

 

Make the chassis frame of parallel two-by-two's (net) with cross pieces as indicated in Fig. 3. The hood may need to be altered from dimensions given here if a larger engine is used. The dummy radiator is merely a 1-inch board cut as shown with heavy screen nailed over it. The "instrument board" is merely a duplicate of the radiator. These two ends of the engine compartment are tied together with strips on the sides, as shown, and covered with galvanized sheet iron. Use an old steering wheel from a sidewalk auto. The steering wheel be fairly small. A length of 3/4-in. galvanized pipe makes a good steering shaft, and the spool is 3-in. x 3-in. wood. The cables must be crossed in order to steer the same as an auto. A coil tension spring keeps the cable taut.

The rear axle is clamped to the two-by-three cross members by means of U-bolts, as is the front axle to its two-by-five-inch member. The 3/4-in. steel jackshaft is carried in brass-tube bearings clamped to the frame with wood blocks as shown. Small pulleys on the ends of the jackshaft carry belts to the drive wheels, and as these belts are not adjusted too tightly, they allow slippage in turning corners, thus serving as a differential. In this connection the writer has found by experience that a good V-belt is very accommodating in this way; it will slip if the load excessive but pulls like fury when not overtaxed. A 10-in. (Delta) V-pulley is driven direct by the engine pulley. The V belt between the two is adjusted loosely enough to permit the motor to run free. An idler pulley serves as belt tightener and when thrown in position the tractor starts in motion.

When the lever is forward the idler pulley is free and the brake shoes engage with the rear drive-pulleys. Drawing the lever back brings the idler-pulley against the engine, belt and tightens it. Note that the idler should be swung on an arm about 3-in. long, and so installed that when engaged the arm is past center and is automatically held in this position until released by the operator.

The job can be greatly simplified because the belt tightener and brake are not absolutely necessary. The slow speed of the tractor does not involve any hazards, especially if the engine belt is always tight, for by shutting off the ignition the motor itself serves as a brake. In starting, the operator simply works the kick-starter with one hand and pushes the light vehicle forward with the other until it takes hold, after which he can easily hop aboard.

If one wishes to work over uneven ground the chassis can be made flexible by the use of a swiveled king bolt, Fig. 5. This, however, is a blacksmith's job if you haven't the proper equipment to make it yourself. A brace should be installed as in Fig. 4. In case of a swiveled king bolt this brace must also be swiveled at the top connection. For greater power use as large pulleys as are available on the drive wheels, and as small as possible for those driving them.

 

[WHX?? 46,931]

Ther was a youngun used to run around at shows on a home made wooden one. All made with  2x4s & plywood. 

@Achto got any pics? I think the kid was related to Al B???

[Achto 26,611]

I remember that one. No pics though.

[ri702bill 7,379]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

 @formariz could probably build one of these tractors in no time.

 

Getting a wooded fuel tank to seal might be a challenge.....

[rayshorses 102]

I am loving this topic. Amazing how clever people were just a few years ago .