Classic lighterweight tractors for general transportatio

I'm wondering about the Cubs and interwar year era Case, JD, McCormick Deering, etc. tractors that are reasonable to use for general transportation, parades, and similar 'recreational' uses.

I'm not really into Golf Carts and UTV/SxS at tractor shows and other public events where they catch a lot of bad attention. I want to get a smallish gasoline Interwar or early post-WW2 gasoline tractor to use for some basic transportation and local parade duties.

I want something that will run >10MPH on a flat road without being totally "wrapped out" and straining so, that rules out all the John Deere tractors I grew up on as it looks like a JD GP is ~4MPH tractor. This has me wondering about the various "CUB" options and things like the Allis WC.

I need something that doesn't require me to be a contortionisht to mount but, I am in my mid-50's with reasonable ability to scale difficult to mount options however, when I am tired or get older, I want something I won't 'out grow as I age'. While I am thinking electric start with some lights, a hand crank on a small displacement motor is an option. I don't want a Ford 8N (or similar) or a row crop tricycle front end either as I grew up on standard "wheatland" tractors.

I am not overly averse to an M-M or Oliver but, think I want to stay more mainstream for East Texas with one of the "major brands" of today like Case, IHC, MF, JD, etc.

What should I look for and where should I shop? What sort of price range should I expect for something that is in reasonable, but not museaum quality, condition?

TIA,
Sid

My Oliver 66 would be just the tractor

Love my Cub, but it's only a 3 speed transmission (standard for Cubs) and top speed is around 7 mph. Stepping up to a A/B/C or their various variations gets you 4 gears with a 'road' gear which makes driving any distance much more doable.

Look for a McCormick W4
Jim

Most shows frown, or ban riding around the grounds on
tractors. They banned my 4 wheeler so I bought a golf
cart. Now the side by sides will be the next banned.
For tractor rides(if you are thinking about them) you
want something with a speed of 15 mph or so.

I was gonna post that

Yep W4 , nice high road gear

Also O4 or OS4
Jim

X4 the W4.

(quoted from post at 17:59:15 01/12/23) Love my Cub, but it's only a 3 speed transmission (standard for Cubs) and top speed is around 7 mph. Stepping up to a A/B/C or their various variations gets you 4 gears with a 'road' gear which makes driving any distance much more doable.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I was hoping they had a little more top end road speed but, with only 3 working gears, that puts them in a similar class to the JD GP I looked at.

(quoted from post at 18:17:57 01/12/23) Look for a McCormick W4
Jim

Click to expand...

I have been looking for one of these for about 6 months! If someone has seen one for a good price, I sure would appreciate a link or message about it!

(quoted from post at 18:20:37 01/12/23) Most shows frown, or ban riding around the grounds on
tractors. They banned my 4 wheeler so I bought a golf
cart. Now the side by sides will be the next banned.
For tractor rides(if you are thinking about them) you
want something with a speed of 15 mph or so.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, ATV's and SxS's have a bad reputation because of a few idiots riding them irresponsibly. A bit like the "squids" on the street riding motorcycles doing wheelies at a 100+ MPH in flip flops with a mohawk helmet endangering minivan's full of children and general commuters out and about.

(quoted from post at 18:54:45 01/12/23) Also O4 or OS4
Jim

Click to expand...

Not generally a fan of orchard tractors but, those look pretty nice too!

We love our cubs, but you need an
A or B...... We love our Bs,
too!!
<img
src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto144859.jpg
>

From what u described I would say the McCormick W4
would be ideal. Its nice and compact and easy to steer
and can cruise down the road at any speeds u want in
high gear. Very easy starting with the crank also, 1/2 a
turn. Even the Super W 4 , it has a bit more power. They
are a pretty universal little tractor. They got the Farmall H
beat all to heck plus u can have have a couple people ride
along and not worry about them falling off like on a
Farmall. Plus they are very easy on fuel.

Surprised that no one mentioned an 8N Ford.

For general transportation and recreational use have you looked into E-bikes or E-trikes?

The price of an E-bike would be similar or less than a small antique tractor, the maximum speed would double or triple your 10 MPH requirement, electric powered range would be 50 miles or more, it would take less shed space, could still be lifted by hand, and when necessary it could be transported inside an SUV or on a bike carrier without being disassembled rather than needing a truck and trailer to haul a small tractor.

The case VAC or later 300, 400, 500 or
even the 30 series of that size would fit
the bill. The vac will have a top speed of
around 13 or 14,but the others are faster
and if you get one with triple range they
go over 20 mph. A decent running and
looking vac will start at 6 or 700 and a
the others will range from that up to
around $5000 for aa nice 530 diesel com.

I think the N tractors are perfect for that application. We had a big Polaris bike. I let it sit in the barn and rode around the farm on our old 9N Ford. I sold the 4X4 and still ride the N. It has no fluid in the tires and no wheel weight. Lugs along in 3rd gear wonderfully. It doesn't have many real chores to do anymore. Plus they are very affordable and have great support when they need fixing.