The Big Four

fastfarmall

Well-known Member
How many of you have seen or heard of a MM, tractor called. the Big Four, i first read about it, in a magazine called Engines and Engineering, about 35 yrs ago, Well i got to go thru a museum yesterday. There was a lot of stuff in there, but couldn't hear everything the guide said, but there was a extra set of jugs sitting on the rear platform where the operator would stand, they looked like a 10 or 12 inch bore piston,that run on kerosene. He said it had more power than a similar sized steam engine.
 
Google Big Four.....a large early gas engine circa 1910 or 1920, maybe 60 hp on the belt, used as a prairie sod breaker. I think there are a few still running. Ben
 
Gas Traction Company / Emerson-Brantingham Company / Minneapolis Minn.
I have seen a Big Four tractor (in the USA not running and not at a public museum). Either 96 or 99 inch diameter rear wheels.
In the 1993 March/April issue of Antique Power, there was a long article about restoring the six cylinder version of the Big Four. "Model 30" Four cylinder was rated at 30 / 45 HP.
"Model 45" Six cylinder version was rated at 45 / 90 HP.

Cost in 1912: $2,850 Cash FOB Factory
$3,000 Financed FOB Factory
$4,000 - $4,500 Delivered
Model: 30
Weight: 18,000 lbs.
Piston Diameter: 6 1/2 inch (6 inch on 25 hp)
Piston Stroke: 8 inch
Engine RPM: 650
Pulley RPM: 473
Belt Pulley Diameter: 24 inch
Top Speed: 3 MPH High - 2 MPH Low
Fuel Tank Capacity: 51 gallons
(37 gallons with smaller optional tank)
Radiator Water Capacity: 81 gallons
Towing Capacity: 21,090 lbs.
 
deere mark Your right on , with the cost, he said this one was shipped to South Dakota, and they charged him $175.00 freight, the guy giving the tour, his dad knew him, and bitched for years about the freight bill. This one was the 4 cylinder, but he knew about a 6 cylinder one, that's in running condition.
 
Are these the big 4 and 6 cylinder Minneapolis tractors you are thinking of. These are displayed each year at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion every Labor Day weekend. That 6 Cyl one has an engine that looks to be 8 ft. long. It really barks as it passes, burrs like a kitten though.
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Those 2 tractors the 60 and the 40 were once owned and restored by a Huge Tractor Man by the name of Norman Pross. I believe his Nephew's family have them now. I used to work for Norman when I was attending College up at NDSU. One summer we were working down at Rollag by the TMB and there was a huge Bucyrus Erie Drag Line in the way, we were sitting having lunch when the conversation how to move that piece of iron, Arlen Nelson brought over a big John Deere 4 wheel Drive tractor it wouldn't budge it, Jim Briden just cussed and said if I had time I would steam up my 110 but instead Jim went and got the 60-90 as Ray, Myself and Norman stood by and watched that Twin City grunt once and Bark pretty loud and off the Bucyrus went down the road. I think there is only 2 60-90s known, well there was back then. One at Rollag and the other at the Reynolds Museum in Saskatchewan. I also remember hearing stories of when Norman got the big Tractor, He picked it down in Jackson County Minnesota.
 

The Reynolds Museum you mention is located near Wetaskiwin in the province of Alberta, Canada rather than Saskatchewan. However there is a good museum in in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It's called the Western Development Museum. I don't know if they have the Big Four you mention at either one. I would sure like to see it in action though. Sounds like a marvel to behold.
 
A friend of mine hauled out a Titan, {IHC} I think, out to Dudley, he said he's got a beautiful collection of tractors and such also !
 

Yes you are right about Reynolds Museum, it has been nearly 30 years ago when I was to both of them there so I get them mixed up.

A good thread on smokstak web site a gentleman by the name of Alan Severson in Blooming Prairie Minnesota has been restoring a Big Four and building I think parts for 4 others.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81774

Great read!
 
I may be all wet ( pretty easy to do with the weather we have been having) But I think BIG FOUR was a tractor company all it's own. And it may have been in Minneapolis. Didn't ever hear of any MM ancestry being called Big Four. Emerson Brantingham Co was located in Rockford Illinois.
MMDEL
 
Now that you say that, i did hear the tour guide mention that name,but like i said earlier i couldn't hear everything he said, but i just assumed it was a M M.
 
I think you might be right DEL. I have seen one or two of the Big Fours. I think they
were on their own.
 
The Little Log House show in Hastings MN has a restored one & has shown it a number of times over the years at the Minnesota State Fair. They would start it up every hour or so. They have shown a couple other ones the last 2 years.
 
Del is correct..MM has nothing to do with the Big 4-30..Heres a picture of some friends
standing by the one at the 2014 Goessel,KS show.....Close to 30 Big 4's are known to
have survived..
2i77ijb.jpg
 

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