Another Bantam 8000

[grnlark 479]

In the world of Bantams, the most desirable three wheeled tractors are the model 3000, 5000 and 8000 varying in size from small to large respectively. The model 8000 (being the size of a standard garden tractor) is probably the most desirable and by far hardest to find. I would venture to guess some of the 8000’s rarity has to do with its lofty price tag in 1956. Well, I acquired a second model 8000 yesterday about an hour away from me in CT. It runs and drives well but naturally will need some general TLC. The gentleman I bought it from said it previously belonged to the Town of Putnam, CT and was used for years to clear snow from sidewalks. He put brand new Carlisle 6x12’s on it and gave me paperwork showing that the engine was honed and re-ringed about 4 years ago. Now just to go through and remove all the non-original bolt on junk. Lol

 

Edited September 24, 2015 by grnlark

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,060]

Nice score Matt!
So does the 8000 reference the hp? Is it an 8hp Briggs?
Mike...........
 

[AMC RULES 37,102]

Coolest one you've got Matt.  

[grnlark 479]

Nice score Matt!
So does the 8000 reference the hp? Is it an 8hp Briggs?
Mike...........
 

Yes, 3hp, 5hp and 8hp. The engine in this thing is a gigantic cast iron Briggs 23FB. 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,263]

I like that one!!

[Ken B 3,131]

I like that one!!

UT OH.... 

[grnlark 479]

I ripped off the ridiculous chrome stack and made a 1.5" exhaust that now dumps out back.

https://youtu.be/cbiI9sIH-dA

 

[AMC RULES 37,102]

Totally cool.    

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,060]

Straight pipe with no muffler?
Is she loud? Never been a fan of straight pipes.
Mike.........

[grnlark 479]

Straight pipe with no muffler?
Is she loud? Never been a fan of straight pipes.
Mike.........

It is a little loud, but the long stroke cast iron big Briggs sounds like a Harley, so I like it. 

Edited September 29, 2015 by grnlark

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

Boy o boy, do I like the looks of that. Thanks for showing it.

glenn

[Ken B 3,131]

That is real cool, the patina is perfect. Is this one gonna get a crack at pushing some snow this winter?

[grnlark 479]

That is real cool, the patina is perfect. Is this one gonna get a crack at pushing some snow this winter?

It's funny you mention that, because I was actually thinking about giving it a try. 

Pretty funny how I aquired it. I was going through some old pictures on my computer and had several pics of this tractor from the Woodstock Fair about five years ago. I had taken a bunch of pics as reference because I'm in the process of fully restoring another 8000. As I was looking through the pics, I was able to zoom on this pic with the info card in front. The guys name and location was on the card. I looked on Google, found him, called him and made him an offer. It was actually pretty lucky how it all fell into place. 

[fireman 1,021]

That's a great story Matt. Isn't it funny how some things come about. What are the odds!

[AMC RULES 37,102]

Almost like...     
it was always meant to be. 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,263]

That one should be in my barn

[fireman 1,021]

That one should be in my barn

UH OH!