Author	[Modern View]
lfc 08-30-2012 19:23:12 69.183.64.203 Report to Moderator	Never saw one like this before! What is it? Wish I could see the rear axle better - looks like there is a spacer between the transmission and the rear axle. http://newlondon.craigslist.org/grd/3216493797.html [Reply]   [No Email]
OH - 961 09-02-2012 08:31:19 66.19.61.19 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to karl f, 08-30-2012 19:23:12   Thanks, Tony That is good to know. The raised deck on the tractor is part of the EMCO conversion, then, rather than the Ford kit. Looks like lfc was partly on the right track about the rear axle not being used. I couldn't figure out how steering knuckles were applied to the rear, but your explanation clears it up. The whole thing looks like a very expensive conversion, but I suppose the railroad could justify it for their specialized needs. From what you are saying, the 4500 was the largest backhoe available from Ford at the time? Myron [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-03-2012 05:22:03 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to OH - 961, 09-02-2012 08:31:19   Hello Myron , Yes the raised deck was different because of their own driveline design and different backhoe mounting kit requiring a different cab also in trying to stay with the same basic length of the original 4500 tractor . Yes the 4500 was the largest at the time , it had just replaced the old 1801/4040/4140 loader/backhoe that was built from 1958-1965 . The 4500 ran from 1965-1975 , then was replaced by the 535 then the 550 I believe , Ford started changing so much more with the later tractors compared to the early tractors I never really kept track as much as the early ones and since ELENCO and EMCO both were closed in 1978 when Ford started building their own 4x4's I had less interest in the newer models . Thanks Tony Jacobs [Reply]  [No Email]
lfc 09-01-2012 19:48:13 69.183.64.203 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to lfc, 08-30-2012 19:23:12   The spacer is between the transmission and rear end, and it looks like it may be the drop box for the front axle at least. I wonder if it powers the rear also. If that is the case, the rear axle would be empty? [Reply]  [No Email]
OH - 961 09-01-2012 14:42:30 66.19.62.66 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to TonyIN, 08-30-2012 19:23:12   Dunno. I never saw one like it. IMO the 4500 is clumsy enough without all that extra steering stuff and front drive axle hung on it. It is pictured in a forest setting so it probably would be OK there. I don't think there is a spacer that lengthens the tractor - the length looks stock, but I wonder how they did the rear steering knuckles? That increased the width of the tractor quite a lot. There is a "flat deck kit" installed which raised the operator platform and steering wheel so he can swivel the seat around for the tractor or hoe without flipping the seat over and re-mounting the seat. I think the kit was offered through the dealers years ago, but it was probably made by someone else rather than Ford. It seems to me that if one were going to convert a TLB this way it would have made sense to use a bigger tractor like the 550. It wouldn't really be a much larger package than this one, and it would already have the raised platform and spin-around seating. Myron [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 09-02-2012 05:37:57 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to OH - 961, 09-01-2012 14:42:30   Hello Myron & LFC , The 4500 4x4 you are looking at is an EMCO CONVERSION (ELWOOD MANUFACTURING CORP.) just another subsidiary of ELENCO my company . You probably will not see another one either as I have only seen 2 or 3 of them . They were built for the Railroad for use on the tracks , the cab and railroad gear is all missing from this tractor . They were all 4x4 , 4 wheel steer , and 4 wheel AIR brakes . Only the Ford engine , trans. , loader and backhoe is used the rest is Emco's design there is no FLAT DECK KIT ON THE TRACTOR or spacer to the rear axle because there is no Ford rear axle in it . Yes you order from the factory a 4500 with a FLAT DECK KIT in 1975 and 1976 only I believe . The 550 was not used because it was not even built yet . If you think a 4500 is clumsy you have not run other machines of the same time period especially an IH loader/hoe , the 4500's will dig circles around the rest of them . Thanks Tony Jacobs [Reply]  [No Email]
lfc 09-03-2012 17:47:15 69.183.64.203 Report to Moderator	Re: Unique 4x4 4500 in reply to TONY JACOBS, 09-02-2012 05:37:57   Yes, thanks Tony! I never would have guessed that it was a railroad machine. Too bad it isn't a lot cheaper - would be a good machine for the collection! [Reply]  [No Email]