Retired Farmer Built 1/2-Scale Farm Equipment For 25 Years
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“I’ve spent my whole life on this farm and more than 25 years building realistic 1/2-scale farm tractors and implements,” says 87-year-old retired Illinois farmer Marvin Copenbarger. “As a kid, I always enjoyed tinkering with equipment and eventually started building things I could use on the farm. That evolved into mini tractors when I retired.”
Over the years Copenbarger has built more than 25 working replicas from the ground up, more than half of them since FARM SHOW featured him in a story 20 years ago (Vol 25, No. 5). Most of them took 6 mos. or more to build, and some well over a year. “I wanted each one to look almost exactly like the real ones do,” Copenbarger says. His collection includes several Case tractors and implements because that’s what his dad owned when he was small and that’s what he grew up driving. Copenbarger bought a new Case 1370 in 1977, which he still owns, and built a 1/2-scale replica of it in 2009. It has an 18 hp. 3-cyl. Kubota diesel engine, dual wheels and a 3-pt. hitch. The cab is slightly larger than half scale so he can fit in and drive the tractor.
Copenbarger built a Case 4-WD using “his own imagination because Case never had one of its own. If they’d have built a real one like this maybe the original Case brand would still be around,” Copenbarger says with a laugh.
His 4-WD uses an engine and drive train from a garden tractor and a frame design similar to that of 2-WD Case tractors. The Model 934 he calls ‘Lil Brute’ includes all-wheel drive and working hydraulics. The 4-ft. tall and 10-ft. long tractor has 8 shiny deep-tread tires and 18 hydraulic lines. It’s painted in authentic Case flambeau orange and desert sunset colors. Hitched to the drawbar is a realistic-looking 6-ft. chisel plow that rides on rubber tires and raises and lowers with the tractor hydraulics.
“I’ve never used it in the field, but I might try it if someone offers to clean it up once it’s been in the ground,” he says with a grin.
One of the first tractors Copenbarger made was modeled after his father’s 1947 model Case L.A. His 1/2-scale version is almost an authentic replica, down to the tiniest details including its frame, drive train, wheel size, hood features, seat and operator station, air cleaner, muffler and belt pulley. Copenbarger says, “It purrs like a kitten, has a starter, generator and lights.”
“I didn’t have any special training to build these things,” Copenbarger says, “but I spent a lot of time with my uncle and learned from him. I started going to Case shows and got to be friends with a fellow in Dayton, Ohio who encouraged me, so I decided to try it myself. After I retired from farming, building these was good for my mind and my muscles. I didn’t build anything that I couldn’t drive. My wife and I have sure had fun taking them to parades and shows.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Marvin Copenbarger, 3100 N 1725 East Rd., Mount Auburn, Ill. 62547.
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Retired Farmer Built 1/2-Scale Farm Equipment For 25 Years TRACTORS Made-It-Myself “I’ve spent my whole life on this farm and more than 25 years building realistic 1/2-scale farm tractors and implements ” says 87-year-old retired Illinois farmer Marvin Copenbarger “As a kid I always enjoyed tinkering with equipment and eventually started building things I could use on the farm That evolved into mini tractors when I retired ” Over the years Copenbarger has built more than 25 working replicas from the ground up more than half of them since FARM SHOW featured him in a story 20 years ago Vol 25 No 5 Most of them took 6 mos or more to build and some well over a year “I wanted each one to look almost exactly like the real ones do ” Copenbarger says His collection includes several Case tractors and implements because that’s what his dad owned when he was small and that’s what he grew up driving Copenbarger bought a new Case 1370 in 1977 which he still owns and built a 1/2-scale replica of it in 2009 It has an 18 hp 3-cyl Kubota diesel engine dual wheels and a 3-pt hitch The cab is slightly larger than half scale so he can fit in and drive the tractor Copenbarger built a Case 4-WD using “his own imagination because Case never had one of its own If they’d have built a real one like this maybe the original Case brand would still be around ” Copenbarger says with a laugh His 4-WD uses an engine and drive train from a garden tractor and a frame design similar to that of 2-WD Case tractors The Model 934 he calls ‘Lil Brute’ includes all-wheel drive and working hydraulics The 4-ft tall and 10-ft long tractor has 8 shiny deep-tread tires and 18 hydraulic lines It’s painted in authentic Case flambeau orange and desert sunset colors Hitched to the drawbar is a realistic-looking 6-ft chisel plow that rides on rubber tires and raises and lowers with the tractor hydraulics “I’ve never used it in the field but I might try it if someone offers to clean it up once it’s been in the ground ” he says with a grin One of the first tractors Copenbarger made was modeled after his father’s 1947 model Case L A His 1/2-scale version is almost an authentic replica down to the tiniest details including its frame drive train wheel size hood features seat and operator station air cleaner muffler and belt pulley Copenbarger says “It purrs like a kitten has a starter generator and lights ” “I didn’t have any special training to build these things ” Copenbarger says “but I spent a lot of time with my uncle and learned from him I started going to Case shows and got to be friends with a fellow in Dayton Ohio who encouraged me so I decided to try it myself After I retired from farming building these was good for my mind and my muscles I didn’t build anything that I couldn’t drive My wife and I have sure had fun taking them to parades and shows ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Marvin Copenbarger 3100 N 1725 East Rd Mount Auburn Ill 62547
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