Tuff-bilt Tractors Back On The Market
A favorite small tractor for market gardeners and hobby farmers alike is back on the market and better than ever. Equipped with fuel injection on the gas model, the Tuff-bilt tractor is also available with a diesel engine. The 18 hp, high visibility tractor was on the market from 1975 until 1989, off until 2005 and then on again until 2015.
“We bought the company at the end of 2015, but didn’t bring out a new tractor until June of 2016,” says John Grolmus, co-owner, Tuff-bilt. “While it is the same basic tractor, we’ve made some cosmetic and mechanical improvements, beefing up lift points and switching to electronic fuel injection (EFI).”
Grolmus notes that the EFI eliminates concerns about ethanol gumming up the carburetor when the tractor sits too long. He adds that the EFI version is also easier to maintain and operate and saves an estimated $300 per year compared to carbureted version.
“A major change made by the previous owner was going from the old 3-speed transmission to a hydrostatic,” says Grolmus. “That let us extend the floor boards for more leg room.”
Other changes include introducing a wide track model. “The standard width is 44 in., but we just came out with a 60-in. track width,” he says. “Initially it is available only as a gas tractor. There are a growing number of customers trying to work double beds. They needed a wider spacing.”
Meeting customer needs is what the company is all about. That was the genesis of the tracks option. “Initially we introduced it for countries like Haiti, where debris and slopes are a problem,” says Grolmus. “However, we’ve had a huge reaction from people concerned with compaction, especially in wetter soils. It is great for boggy soils and rice production.”
The company turned to Mattracks, a Minnesota company, to develop the rear wheel replacements. The units are similar to those sold for 4-WD equipment and feature sealed bearings and polycarbonate rollers with highway rated treads.
“Virtually all the mechanical parts fit tractors going back to the 1970’s, and we’ve been shipping parts all over the country,” says Grolmus. “We have all the bearings, axles and seals needed for repair or restoration. Some tractors had been down for a year or more, and we were able to overnight parts to get them back up and running.”
Grolmus describes the tractor as simple and basic without frills. In addition to more than 20 attachments and accessories, it can be used with any Cat. 0, 3-pt. attachments.
The K18-44-EFI with a 19 hp. Kohler gas engine is priced at $12,750. The H21-44 with a 19 hp. Hatz diesel has a base price of $19,995. Most implements, other than the belly mower and rear mulch layer, are priced between $200 and $500. The track conversion adds $5,000 in cost.
“You can get a nice system for $16,000,” says Grolmus. “We are adding new implements all the time.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tuff-bilt Tractor Manufacturing, 2801 I Ave, Walthill, Neb. 68067 (ph 402 846-5760; toll free 844 486-3268; info@tuff-bilt.com; www.tuff-bilt.com).
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Tuff-bilt Tractors Back On The Market TRACTORS Miscellaneous A favorite small tractor for market gardeners and hobby farmers alike is back on the market and better than ever Equipped with fuel injection on the gas model the Tuff-bilt tractor is also available with a diesel engine The 18 hp high visibility tractor was on the market from 1975 until 1989 off until 2005 and then on again until 2015 “We bought the company at the end of 2015 but didn’t bring out a new tractor until June of 2016 ” says John Grolmus co-owner Tuff-bilt “While it is the same basic tractor we’ve made some cosmetic and mechanical improvements beefing up lift points and switching to electronic fuel injection EFI ” Grolmus notes that the EFI eliminates concerns about ethanol gumming up the carburetor when the tractor sits too long He adds that the EFI version is also easier to maintain and operate and saves an estimated $300 per year compared to carbureted version “A major change made by the previous owner was going from the old 3-speed transmission to a hydrostatic ” says Grolmus “That let us extend the floor boards for more leg room ” Other changes include introducing a wide track model “The standard width is 44 in but we just came out with a 60-in track width ” he says “Initially it is available only as a gas tractor There are a growing number of customers trying to work double beds They needed a wider spacing ” Meeting customer needs is what the company is all about That was the genesis of the tracks option “Initially we introduced it for countries like Haiti where debris and slopes are a problem ” says Grolmus “However we’ve had a huge reaction from people concerned with compaction especially in wetter soils It is great for boggy soils and rice production ” The company turned to Mattracks a Minnesota company to develop the rear wheel replacements The units are similar to those sold for 4-WD equipment and feature sealed bearings and polycarbonate rollers with highway rated treads “Virtually all the mechanical parts fit tractors going back to the 1970’s and we’ve been shipping parts all over the country ” says Grolmus “We have all the bearings axles and seals needed for repair or restoration Some tractors had been down for a year or more and we were able to overnight parts to get them back up and running ” Grolmus describes the tractor as simple and basic without frills In addition to more than 20 attachments and accessories it can be used with any Cat 0 3-pt attachments The K18-44-EFI with a 19 hp Kohler gas engine is priced at $12 750 The H21-44 with a 19 hp Hatz diesel has a base price of $19 995 Most implements other than the belly mower and rear mulch layer are priced between $200 and $500 The track conversion adds $5 000 in cost “You can get a nice system for $16 000 ” says Grolmus “We are adding new implements all the time ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tuff-bilt Tractor Manufacturing 2801 I Ave Walthill Neb 68067 ph 402 846-5760; toll free 844 486-3268; info@tuff-bilt com; www tuff-bilt com
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