Restored Utility Vehicle May Have Been The First

Restored Utility Vehicle May Have Been The First ATV'S ATV'S 31-6-26 It was only manufactured for one year but the Farm Handy 3-wheeler, built by Farmhand Industries in 1966, was the forerunner of the Deere Gator, Kawasaki Mule, and other farm utility vehicles, says Lynn Klingaman, Columbia City, Ind. He displayed the rig at the recent Ohio Farm Science Review. "It was an all-around chore vehicle that could haul up to 500 lbs. I don't know how many were ever made, but I do know that there aren't many around any more. I know of only two others," says Klingaman, noting that the 3-wheeler was designed to run through soybean fields to pull weeds and volunteer corn. The vehicle rides on two 15-in. high lugged rear wheels and a single 12-in. high front wheel. It has a 3-passenger seat with a metal cargo box behind it that measures 30 in. long, 4 ft. wide, and 10 in. deep. The box, which has a plywood bottom, can be flipped forward to access the drivetrain. Power is supplied by a 8 hp Kohler engine that belt-drives a 2-speed rear transaxle with a high and low range, providing four speeds forward and two reverse. Top speed is about 6 mph. "It has pretty basic controls - just a clutch, throttle, and gearshift," says Klingaman. "I bought it used from Mark Struz of Goodhue, Minn., and restored it to like-new condition. I had new decals made by a local company, which took photos of the original decals and made copies." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lynn Klingaman, 6775 N. Etna Road, Columbia City, Ind. 46725 (ph 260 799-5920).

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