Very interesting. I do not think that is a Worthington Model. Those used FORD engines and that does not appear to be a FORD engine. The AD says 1942 model 'Tug'. Here's what I think it really is. Below is an excerpt from my copyrighted article I wrote on the Ford-Ferguson Moto-Tug:

"... Sometime in 1941, The Mercury Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois, who were already producers of specialized industrial tractors, designed and built a small, heavy duty tractor prototype utilizing major parts ( engines and transmissions ) from a Ford 9N Tractor. After the Mercury purchasing agents met with the Ford-Ferguson sales representatives, they balked at the idea of buying these components for production from the Ford Motor Company when they received pricing that was unacceptable, more likely unaffordable, to them.

In November 1942, the Ford Motor Company expressed interest in producing the ?Mule? ( as it was aptly nicknamed ) themselves, and purchased all the patent rights from the Mercury Company along with their prototype model. Ford then renamed the tractor the ?Moto-Tug? and began work on redesigning it..." The first F-F Moto-Tug rolled off the assembly line on Columbus, Ohio in April, 1943. The US Navy had placed an order for 500 units and these were to be used for moving bombers and fighter planes around on carriers and Air Force Bases.

What this could possibly be is one of the Mercury Mfg. Industrial Units, possibly. One would have to really scrutinize parts and such for signs of casting numbers and/or any model ID tags. There has to be something marked on it somewhere.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to ID this "TUG" I found last fall near me. The owner says it is a Chrysler built airport tug, but I'm from Missouri, so show me the data. It has a wood panel dash.

JFwuTUBh.jpg

Tim Daley(MI)
 
this could be a clarktor also cause years ago the clarktor I seen at a boneyard in Pa also had a chrysler 6 cyl engine but not that style tin. I also remember years ago there was a clarktor tug group on yahoo that might give you more info on that one you are looking at.
 
If you are referring to the original Ford-Ferguson BNO-25 and BNO-40 Moto-Tugs, they never had the original Ford 9N "normal" tin on them, EXCEPT FOR THE HOOD, not at first anyway. These Tugs were built on 9N frames and engines, no s/n's, shipped to Columbus, OH to be assembled with the special armor plating, hydraulic brakes, and other parts from outside suppliers. Now, after the war (WWII) the survivors (some were dumped overboard) were shipped back from the Pacific Fleet base in Hawaii to west coast naval bases. Some were used at the bases and military airports, some were designated to be converted back to standard 2N tractors. There are a few examples of BNO ID tagged Tugs with 'normal 2N sheet metal and rubber to be sold or used on bases and airports as well.

HENRY FORD II PROUDLY DEMONSTRATES TO THE PRESS THE NEW FORD-FERGUSON BNO MOTO-TUG AT THE WILLOW RUN B-24 BOMBER PLANT, APRIL, 1943:
8sSvGarh.jpg

Tim Daley(MI)
 
I found this on the web -see LINK. Years ago I was at one of the clubs I belonged to annual show in southern Michigan. The featured model that year was Minneapolis-Moline and there was a Mini-Mo Moto-Tug on display. There were a few manufacturers of Tugs evidently. I can't find those pictures - CRS, ya know.

Tim Daley(MI)
CLARKSTOR TUG
 

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