Was This The World's First 4-WD, Articulated Tractor?

Was This The World's First 4-WD Articulated Tractor? TRACTORS Antiques 23-1-24 It's not for sale at any price," says Lynn Rothlisberger, who, along with his father Wayne, owns what might have been the world's first 4-WD articulated farm tractor. It was built by Lynn's father-in-law, Herbert Walton and his father Arthur in 1947 and æ48, meaning it predated the first Steiger tractor by about 10 years. Rothlisberger and his father completely restored the tractor several years ago. It's powered by a 200 hp Army surplus Hercules diesel engine and it has two Army surplus tank rear ends. Each one has to be in the same gear to operate it. There are two gear shifters, one on the right side of the tractor and one on the left side. Articulated steering is provided by a pin and roller system and the rear axle floats side-to-side. Axles are fitted with 18 by 36-in. pneumatic tires. The Waltons used the tractor for over 10 years to pull a 5-bottom plow, a disk, and a cultipacker all at the same time, Lynn says. Later, after it was replaced by a couple of big 2-WD tractors they also built from scratch, the Waltons competed with the tractor in local tractor pulls. "It could out-pull anything in its power range," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lynn Rothlisberger, 7297 Co. Hwy. 124, Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351 (ph 409 294-4646).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.