My home built garden tractor

used red MN · Jul 23, 2017

I normally don't start many threads, but today is an exception. Here are some pictures of a garden tractor built by my grandfather who was a blacksmith/welder in Linn, KS. He built it in the late 50's or early 60's. It has a 4 spd trans and individual brakes. It also has a lever operated 3 point and 3 implements he made for it. The engine is a "Montgomery Ward" built by Clinton. I think it a 3 hp, which is not really big enough. It runs but is pretty tired. Lol. I'll have to wait and see if the photos show up with the wrong orientation. I am posting this from an iPhone so I suspect the way I have become accustomed to holding the phone when taking a photo is not the proper way. Can't figure out how to post multiple pictures in a message so I'll add replies with two other photos.

used red MN · Jul 23, 2017

Pic 2

john in la · Jul 23, 2017

I am having a hard time looking at the picture and standing on my head at the same time.
So try this.

SweetFeet · Jul 23, 2017

Neat little critter!

Here ya go... pics rotated.

onefarmer · Jul 23, 2017

Turned

SweetFeet · Jul 23, 2017

Ha... apparently ALL great minds think alike. LOL

3 photo rotates within seconds.

used red MN · Jul 23, 2017

Pic 3

DENNIS MIN · Jul 23, 2017

used red mn,

That is one nifty item. Perhaps you could describe what it takes to get the engine power to the front of the transmission. I looked closely and am still puzzled about how the power is routed. Seems like your ancestry has talent in getting things done.

Great picture and post.

D.

larry@stinescorner · Jul 23, 2017

I like it!!!! Its really unique!!!

onefarmer · Jul 23, 2017

.

DC1 · Jul 23, 2017

I think it looks great, would be extremely useful on a mature piece of land/yard/garden. I like it. seat does look a little uncomfortable, having to be hunched over like that haha

grayrider · Jul 23, 2017

It's really cool, your Grandpaw was very creative, I like it

Janicholson · Jul 23, 2017

Reminds me of the Pincore powered tractor my dad made me and my brothers and sister when I was 7 (Archives I think) Very cool. Jim

Traditional Farmer · Jul 23, 2017

That'd be a great garden cultivator and it'd turn around quick at the end of the row.

used red MN · Jul 23, 2017

Thanks for all the help with the pic rotates! I'll have to go on my laptop and look at this to see what you all are seeing, everything looks fine on my phone. I'll have to force myself to take photos with the "home" button on the right. Just seemed more correct to me to spin my phone clockwise to take a landscape orientation photo.

SweetFeet · Jul 23, 2017

It seems where I have read on YT...that the answer is to make sure you flip your phone to the left (not to the right), when taking landscape photos. (I think.)

used red MN · Jul 23, 2017

I'll try to describe the transfer of power up to the transmission. If you look a the first pic I posted (hopefully one of the views is turned correctly for you to view it) the clutch pedal as you set on the seat is operated by your left foot. The raised section to the right of the slot the pedal sticks through covers the shaft that runs up to the trans. There is an about 3" sprocket on the end of that shaft with a chain driving about a 10" sprocket on the front of the trans. This is all covered by the sloped plate behind the front wheel. Depressing the clutch pedal slides the engine sideways to take tension off a belt that the crankshaft is driving to the back end of the covered shaft, which stops power flow to make a shift. We'll see if this makes sense to anybody.

JMOR · Jul 23, 2017

Perfect sense....almost the drive setup that my dad used to build brother & I a riding tractor about 60 years ago. Except engine to transmission was belt & transmission to differential was chain. We were considered too young to drive the parade, so we only got a trailer ride!

coshoo · Jul 23, 2017

Very neat rig. The steering column, and the webbing that attaches it to the frame, look like they're from a Cushman motor scooter of that vintage. Are you going to repower it and bring it back to life?

Geo-TH,In · Jul 23, 2017

Your tractor reminds me of what my neighbor built back in the early 60's when riding mowers weren't that popular. Neighbor combined the front wheel and seat of a bicycle and attached it to a self-propelled reel type mower. His boy would mow the lawn with it.

rlp in Co. · Jul 23, 2017

I like that a lot! It should have good traction with the motor in back like that. It would also be easy to change the gear ratio so that 3 HP might pull more than one with a front engine.

My home built garden tractor

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